Soccer Season Ends

 Porter enjoyed another season of soccer at M.Pal.  He had a coaches and teammates - he is looking forward to playing again in the spring.  Porter usually played half of each game as the goalie.  He did a great job and got after that ball.  Way to go, Porter!  

He had two sets of grandparents cheering him on this last game along with two cousins, Lacy and Braden.  Thank you for all your support.

  Corbin played JV soccer for KHS.  It was his first year playing school soccer.  He had a good season and got in great shape with their daily practices (M-F).

Way to go, Corbin!

Hansel and Gretel Dance Recital

A few weeks ago, the girls performed at their ballet recital. The story theme was Hansel and Gretel. It was very well done and the girls had a great time.

The dress rehearsal was interrupted by a fire alarm! It was faulty wiring - no one pulled the alarm.

Olivia, Ava, and Lily

Lots of friends at rehearsal: Allie, Amanda, Ava, Vivian, and Emily

Olivia's dance mates and friends

Vivi and Amanda

Vivian before the recital.

Olivia

Olivia and Vivian ready for their performance, make-up and all!

Vivian backstage

Olivia's class backstage

Vivian is in the center awaiting her time to dance.

Surprise, surprise Grandpa & Grandma Clark arrive in town, just in time for the recital!

Also, Mom and Keith were here for the weekend to enjoy soccer games and ballet.

Gators Take Second

We had a fun and busy soccer season with both Corbin and Porter playing soccer and then Corbin also reffing several games. Soccer is finally over and we are enjoying our free nights and weekends again!

Porter waiting his turn.

Way to go, Porter! Porter loves soccer. He had a great year playing with this new league. It was much more aggressive than Y-ball. He had fantastic coaches that really went the extra mile. And they had a fun end of the year team party!

Porter's team the "Gators" came in second play during the tournament play-offs.

Here is the team after they received their medals!

Awards Ceremony and Pizza Party with Team

We had fun, too!

Vivian!

Me, bouldering on the wall through the hoops.

Corbin the Ref

Corbin is refereeing soccer this season for a local league. He took the 16 hour course and exam to have this opportunity. It has been a good learning experience for him. I see his confidence grow after each game.

After his very first game, the head ref told Corbin that he was the most embarrassing ref he has ever seen! However, Corbin buckled down and has taken this job seriously. It has been a great way for him to earn some extra money and it is teaching him to be responsible and accountable to a boss (this boss doesn't go easy on him, quite the opposite - he kind of scares me).

I enjoy watching him ref, especially when he helps the younger players. He gets down on his knees and re-ties their shoes for them. Oh, it is so sweet.

Volleyball Champions!

Today the "Black Attack" Team - played it all the way to the championship game. And we WON!

It was so awesome, we were on "fiya" (fire)! Today's games were full court, unlike all of our other games this season where they set up two nets in the gym for a shorter court. Because of this change, my serves weren't cutting it - they were all too short. I didn't have enough time to practice, so I opted for an underhand serve - which was still only 50% accurate for me (not a good serving day). However, our team tore up the court with outstanding hitting, calling, passing, setting, and serving (everyone but me on the serves). Way to go team!

The first match we played Bristol Heights Ward, the stake champions for the last three of four years and we beat them. So then we went to the final championship game against another outstanding team, Hobble Creek. This team has enough players for two teams, unlike our six player team. And they are awesome - every play they set the ball up for a hit.

Hobble Creek Team

We surprised everyone because we were the underdogs, our team has improved tremendously throughout the season. Now that we are all performing at a higher level, let's keep it going!

Vienna Woods Team (AKA Black Attack)

We were awarded one first place ribbon for the team (as pictured). But in our minds we really thought we earned this beautiful trophy!

Don't you think the Relief Society should make a special trophy case for our win?

We are talking about getting together to play one morning a week! Come on, bring your skills to the court, baby!

More Volleyball

We had fun playing this morning. I just happened to bring my camera. Last week Eric video taped part of our game -but today Heather didn't allow the camera to come. Fortunately I had mine and he did a great job catching some plays. Team players today included: Heather, me, Kassie, Andrea, Julie and Jammie (recruited from our last ward)!

Nice teamwork ladies!

Can you tell we had fun? I told Paul that several of the husbands come cheer on the team so hopefully he will come! We need to get together for some couples' volleyball - who is in?

Another Fiesta Bowl Title!

What a game tonight!

We watched the game as a family - I guess you could say it was our family home evening. I ran a couple errands in the first half - it's a great time to hit Costco because everyone is home watching the game. Porter and I grabbed some chips and made a big bowl of guacamole for the gang! The kids learned real quick that I get into the games - I make lots of noise. I wonder what this will mean for BSU next season. I hope you all watched the game, too!

Broncos Heading to Fiesta Bowl

I failed to mention yesterday that the BSU Broncos were selected to play against TCU at the Fiesta Bowl January 6th! Boise State is 13-0 and ranked No. 6 in the final BCS standings. TCU is 12-0 and ranked No. 4. The winner might finish the year No. 2.

This is a huge deal! Way to go BSU. Both Paul and I graduated with our bachelor degrees from BSU - way back in the day! I even attended a football game last year because of Paul's lucky free tickets (link) and chance to throw on "the Blue" (link). Two years ago BSU won the Fiesta Bowl - that was an amazing game! Here is a clip (Three plays that shocked the world, 2007 Fiesta Bowl) of three awesome plays that they made to win the game.



Okay, where is the party going to be?

Porter's Last Game

This was Porter's last soccer game of the season. It was a beautiful, sunny day - we all enjoyed watching. They had a great season. Thank you everyone! Porter loves soccer. He gets in there and maneuvers around the other players to take the ball down the field. Awesome Porter! He made a few impressive goals - but they are tough to catch on video.

More Soccer

Porter enjoyed another game of soccer on the Blue Star Garnet Team! Check out Olivia's cute hat and striped scarf (from out garage sale shopping today- both were 50 cents each).

The Blue Star Garnets

Porter loves soccer and is an awesome player!

Do you notice Tisha and Olivia in the background? Assistant Coach Anderson is getting everyone organized for photos.

Porter is practicing in the goal. He rarely lets anything get by him.

Here is the team!

You'll never believe that Porter lucked out on being on the same team as Brigham and Cooper Anderson. Clay is the assistant coach, the head coach wasn't present for pictures. It's fun to watch their games and practices plus Salina and I get to visit while the kids play. They have a great team. After the game today, Porter told me their team scored 14 points to the other teams 4 - not that he was counting! Next time I will have to get some video footage of their great teamwork and plays. Anyone is welcome to come to the games on Saturday morning - just let me know!

Volleyball, I Have Missed You

Last night Paul and I played co-ed volleyball at the church. It was a blast! We walked onto the court totally cold and out of practice for the past three years but we still had a great time. After playing 5 1/2 games (to 25) I was totally sweaty. In our old Liberty Ward we had some great volleyball fun. After playing I realized that I have really missed it these past several years. I look forward to the next volleyball season (next week is there last game and we won't be able to attend). It takes me a few weeks of practice and game playing to really get into the groove. Oh, I wish this was the beginning and not the end.

Saturday - Part II

At 9:00 a.m., Porter played his first soccer game of the season. He sure loves soccer! These pictures were taken by Vivian, exclusively! She had lots of fun deciding what to take a picture of - she took several pictures of a dog (but they didn't turn out). Go Vivian!
Corbin brought his skateboard. I had to snap some pictures of him - he's really smooth on the Ripstick. I have tried this and it's no easy feat.