Champions!!!

I was asked on very short notice if I could get some young women together as a basketball team to compete in a Regional Tournament.  Having one young woman at my house who loves basketball, I decided I could do this.  We had a sign-up go around and had enough girls to make 2 teams.  I imposed on a few women in the neighborhood with some natural athletic ability and they were the coaches.  We had time for just a couple of practices before the tournament began.

The coaches divided the teams up so that we had one team of girls who were very new to basketball and one team that had some experience.  It was a single elimination, 2-day tournament.  Chloe was on the more experienced team.

On Friday March 16th we arrived in Lehi to play our first game. Boy was I nervous.  These basketball teams were quite large and had plenty of girls aged 16-18.  We had 5 girls and the oldest one was 14. They were just so excited to be there playing.  As I watched them play I could see we had a very determined group of girls and a coach with patience, experience and kindness. Coach Rea was awesome. She's the kind of coach I wish all my kids had for sports.

The girls won their game and they did it with sportsmanship.  I was so proud! This would mean they got to play the next morning.  The car ride home was full of promising chatter.  Maybe they were better than they thought?  Maybe they could win again?

On Saturday morning we arrived early to warm-up.  This team too looked tough.  A couple of girls who were much bigger than ours and looked quite aggressive.  However, our girls definitely had better skill, and their calm natures gave them the edge here.  We won again! Unbelievable!  What if they could win the entire tournament. We started making phone calls to parents or friends to come and watch us play the championship game.

 It was a tight game. These two teams played with everything they had. Chloe was a star.  She was on fire with her shooting. She did have a few bumps, bruises and bloody lips, but she led in scoring. When the dust settled the Saratoga Hills 1st Ward young women had won the regional basketball championship.  I couldn't believe this.  We threw a team together and went into it planning to just "have a good time" and here we were the winners of it all.

 After the game Coach Rea and Scotty and I took the girls out to pizza to celebrate their victory.

I guess I learned to never count yourself out.  Your best may be just enough.

Y Hike

We've never hiked the Y. I know, it's something everyone whose lived in Utah County should do. So we made a plan with our friends the Johnstons and set out during our Spring Break on April 10th.

This was the view from the parking lot.

Some of the kids were very eager hikers. We saw them at the beginning of the trail and that was it. 

They raced up that steep trail like it was nothing. 

Julie and I brought up the rear. Here we are taking a promised rest at a switchback.

If there was a shortcut to be had these boys were going to find it.  I think it took as long as the regular route, but they felt like they'd shaved some time off. 

Julie was trying to keep track of our speed racers. 

Aidan and I were the last ones to reach the summit.

He was so proud (ie. relieved) to be done. 

Jonah was our littlest Y hiker and he did excellent. 

Here's our view from the top. That's Cole and Will sitting on the Y taking in the sights. 

Afterwards we hit the BYU Creamery for some delicious giant ice cream cones, and we even got caught up in the Bean Museum.  I'm so grateful to have such fantastic neighbors and friends. 

California: Day 7 "Wrap Up"

Tuesday, May 8th

We started our last day eating breakfast at Mimi's Cafe. 

We love that place and their breakfast doesn't disappoint.

 Here's the gang headed in to soak up all the fun possible for one last time. 

 We spent our day at California Adventure. We passed by just as they opened the doors for a Disney Junior show. These are some of Grace's favorite shows so we all humored her. 

She loved it. Check out that mile wide smile. 

 We ran into this big furry guy in a back alley. 

It was a really slow day and it was fantastic. 

 Mom has a lot of love for all Disney characters. 

Even is she's a bit unsure of their names. 

 This was my bumper car buddy. 

Lucky me. 

 Mom and Dad are such troopers to head to Disneyland with our big bunch.

It's not easy with 5 kids (mostly the 3 year old) and a wheelchair, but there are no complaints. 

 This picture has a back story that made us all laugh. 

Part way through the day Dad felt a lump under his shirt on his shoulder. 

He reached under and pulled out this sock. 

Turns out that morning I had interrupted him while he was putting on his socks. 

He quickly took the one sock he hadn't put on and flung it over his shoulder. 

Then he went ahead and continued getting ready, but never found that missing sock and got a new one out. Ha!! Oh Dad. 

 We all rode the ferris wheel together. Grandma waited below and waved. 

 For the first time ever I indulged the children with the beastly turkey legs of California Adventure. 

 And Mom spoiled us with some of the best ice cream I've ever eaten. Really.

So creamy and delicious. Then Dad and Mom headed back with Grace.

 The rest of us ran around like crazy fitting in every ride we'd missed or loved.

The lines were nearly  non-existent so sometimes they'd let us just stay on the ride.

I tried to be brave and rode the rides I just don't ride. 

We hit Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

This trip is a tiring one I must admit, but we had so much fun.

California: Day 6: "Best of Both Worlds"

Monday, May 7

Everyone is happier on the walk to Disneyland.

 Today Grace got to wear her fairy princess dress to Disneyland.  

She was so cute and excited. 

 We spent our morning in Fantasyland which made the littlest Brownings happy.

We rode Dumbo.

 Floated through Storybook Land.

 Then I took the boys to Toontown and Mom, Grace and Chloe went shopping. 

We were lucky enough to run into Goofy. 

 I rode the Toontown rollercoaster a couple times with the boys. 

This was quite a big deal. I DON'T ride rollercoasters. 

It was a scary ride for me (go ahead, laugh). 

Cole and I were the only ones who got to see Mickey in person.

I had a Disney employee take this photo. 

Unfortunately, they didn't focus the camera. Well shoot. 

 We spent the second half of our day at California Adventure. 

We were so excited to see that our lengthy 3 year old was tall enough

to ride Soaring Over California. 

It really is the best ride!!!

We all rode and the kids thought it was awesome. 

We also got to ride the Grizzly River Rapids. Mom took Grace to walk through shops.

Dad showed us that he had ninja skills that would keep him from getting wet. 

He did stay dry for quite awhile. However, a huge wave came up over the back and soaked him.

We all had a good laugh.  What a fantastic day it was with these two. 

N

California: Day 5 "A Day of Rest"

Sunday, May 6

This was a day to head to Downtown Disney and wander. 

Cole spent a lot of time trying on various hats with attitude.  

 I love this store and found Scotty a cool and unique Mickey shirt here. 

 The Lego store is always impressive. The boys spent quite a while walking through and building things upstairs. 

 It's very difficult for some the older kids to decide how exactly to spend their money.

Asher decided he'd like to have a caricature drawn. It was kind of expensive, but made an awesome souvenir. 

 Doesn't he look great!

 We ate at the Rainforest Cafe that night. 

 Aidan created his own Lego men. 

 The Disney magic got to me and I allowed the boys to purchase

these Donald Duck bills. They give a loud quack when you blow in them.

Oh the joy.

As we headed back to the hotel Chloe had finally decided that she too would like a caricature.

Hers turned out so fun.