Mother's Day Photo Shoot

Gone are the days of visiting the Portrait Studio every few months, but it has been far too long since I have taken any pictures of the girls.  How could they say no to me on Mother's Day weekend?  Taylor curled Allison's hair and they picked out these cute tops to match.  We drove to a few scenic spots in town and I love what we captured.  These girls sparkle and fill me with so much joy!  I'm so proud to be their Mom and love them to pieces!!

Sundae Party

Coach gave the girls the night off from practice and instead, we celebrated our Beach Tournament win with an Ice Cream Sundae Party!

Team Art and JJ

We have been watching the Amazing Race for years, all 20 seasons of it!  This year, two local Border Patrol Agents did the race and every week, the families hosted viewing parties to watch each episode.  Art lives in Temecula and JJ lives in Carlsbad so they would rotate restaurant locations each week.  Tonight's finale was being viewed at Spelly's in Murrieta and we were invited to go with the Joyce's.

We rushed home from the beach tournament and quickly got ready for tonight's event.  Allison made this sign for Art and JJ and was so excited that they both signed it.  Art wrote, "Always Bet on Red!  Go Border Patrol" and JJ wrote, "C'mon Art!" (a very common line said by JJ during the 11 weeks).

Art and JJ with Jenna, Taylor and Allison before the show started.

Spelly's was packed and we loved all of the pre-show entertainment.  A group of kids danced the Bollywood dance from the episode in India, Art's wife wrote and amazing poem about the many phrases the guys used along the race, and the families presented each of the guys with their very own Travelocity gnome.
The place got very quiet at 8:00 when the show began.  We all laughed hysterically as Art raced to catch rubber chickens on a Japanese game show, we made fun of Rachel every time she cried and struggled to watch Art battle with the sled in Honolulu.
It was an emotional roller coaster of a finale and the guys finished in 2nd place...no million dollar prize, but a lifetime of memories and a new lifelong friend in each other.

BeSoCha Day #2

 We were back at the beach by 6:30 this morning for a day full of games.  The girls took advantage of the open sand before the thousands of players and families packed in.  Taylor had the 8:00 and 10:30 games this morning to finish bracket play.  They won a very close one 6-5 over CSC early and then beat Legends 8-1 in the later game.  It was very aggressive, almost violent, game with yellow cards for both teams and a few injuries, but it was enough to advance us into the Championship at 1:10!

 Allison's team needed a win against Legends in their 9:40 game.  Allison started in goal, but jammed her finger late in the 1st quarter and sat the rest of the game.  Our girls are growing in confidence and skill each game and had some great passing and shots this morning.  However it wasn't enough to get the win...losing 6-4.

 It didn't take the girls long to get over the loss and have so fun in the sand.

 Soccer Besties!

 By 1:10, the sun was out and the sand was hot.  The girls were ready to take on CSC again for the championship.  We had so many families and spectators cheering us on and the girls brought their "A" game.

 2012 BeSoCha Champions!!

 Our traditional victory swim...I love tradition but that water was cold!

Another great victory shared with Taylor and a great start to our season!

BeSoCha Day #1

We were up and out the door at 5:50am for our favorite weekend of the soccer season...the Beach Soccer Tournament at Oceanside Harbor.

 We set up camp early and the kids ventured down to the water right away.  Within minutes, Taylor came up to camp with this giant crab!

In honor of Cinco De Mayo, Charlie (Felipe) arrived in this lovely sombrero and fancy mustache and I was presented with this fantastic sombrero of my own!

The big girls were up first for the 8:00am game on Field #5 against Kodiak.

 With only 5 on the field at a time, it means lots of quick subbing.  The girls played beautifully and won pretty easily 15-5!

The younger girls followed at 8:50am with their first game against Oceanside.  This game was much closer than the earlier one and the girls battled very well.  However, they had too many shots on goal that went right to the keeper and we lost 4-0.  Allison and Faith shared time in the goal and it was a good first showing for this group.

We had two hours until the next games so the girls spent lots of time playing by the water...

doing Conga lines...

wearing little sombreros...

soaking in the sun and picnicing...

holding cute babies...

 and doing dance parties by the tournament speakers.

 Matt spent some quality time napping in the shade as he does during most tournament breaks!

The afternoon games were both at 12:20pm so Charlie took the youngers and I took the olders and they both had great results.  The U11 girls won 9-4 over Arsenal and the U13 girls won 15-3 against Oceanside.  They both have great chances to make the finals tomorrow, but we will be up early again for 3 morning games to determine who advances...

One Happy 10 Year Old!

 The birthday girl was up at 5:30 to get the celebration started.  She first pulled out all of her old scrapbooks and looked through page after page of baby pictures spanning the last decade!

 She was so happy to get her requested breakfast of chocolate chip pancakes...

 and Taylor was sweet enough to pick out her outfit and curl her hair.  She also loved how we decorated her room while she was sleeping last night!

She was thrilled with her birthday lunch at school...an Aztek California burrito and chips to share with her friends.

Lorien came home with us after school and Allison couldn't wait to open presents as soon as Matt walked in from work!

She smiled ear to ear when she open her new Mckenna Doll and scuba set.

 Finally, her very own Hawks bag too!

 Then it was off to her choice for dinner...Lucille's BBQ.  We pigged out on chicken, ribs and lots of biscuits.

 They even brought a yummy birthday dessert!

Allison found this Oreo Poke Cake on Pinterest and asked for this to be her bday cake, but we were all too full to eat it.  Looks like we will be eating it tomorrow night instead.  I think Allison felt very special today, appreciated all of the phone calls and gifts from family and friends and is so excited to finally be 10!

Double-Digit Birthday Girl

Happy 10th Birthday to my sweet Allison!  How can you be double-digits already?

You are so creative, funny, smart, athletic and confident!  You made Honor Roll at school, played All-Stars for soccer and we can't wait to watch you on your new Hawks team.

You let me sleep with your "Mimi" when you go to a sleepover, you give great foot massages and love to put on your apron and help me in the kitchen.

You want to be a Canine Officer and you love hearing all of Dad's work stories.  You love your special trips to 7-11 for slurpees after you have helped him at Home Depot.  

You love playing with your American Girl Dolls, love watching Dance Moms and any wedding or cooking show, and hate to read.  Your messy room drives me crazy, but you feel at home in there.  

 We love you for all of these things and more and are so blessed to have you!!  Happy Birthday!!