PLU Volleyball with Friends...by Accident

 We try to take in a PLU Women's volleyball game or two each fall. This year, we only made it to one game. It was a good one though and the Lutes won! It was Homecoming week and I couldn't help but snap of picture of this banner. Attaway, Lutes! Proud to be a Lute! 

One of the funniest parts of the night happened about 10 minutes after we got there. Our friends, the Cyphers, walked in. We didn't know they were coming and they didn't know we were there. They didn't see us when they entered so I texted Sarah "Having fun at the volleyball game?" She responded with "Yeah, it is a lot of fun. Lutes are ahead 14-10" but as she did PLU scored. So I sent back "Now 15-10". It was so funny watch her realize that we must be in attendance, share the text with Josh and then watch her head pop up and search the stands for us. We ended up sitting together for the rest of the night laughing and chatting. I am so thankful that we were able to spend the evening together! We went to this game in September, but I am writing this on the first day of December. Sarah lost her battle with cancer on November 17th. Sarah was a dear friend. Our family will miss her very much. Luckily, we have a lot of memories of Sarah that we can treasure. We are blessed to have known her. 

Coaches' Kid

 When Mom AND Dad are your coaches, you get stuck pumping up the balls before practice!

Chambers Bay Park

 The Sunday after Leila's first soccer game, we drove to University Place and checked out a park that we had heard of but never ventured to; Chambers Bay. From the minute we parked the car, we knew we were going to be repeat visitors! It is beautiful! The Chambers Bay golf course runs through the middle of the park, the lovely Puget Sound lines the west side of the play area and the train crosses right under the bridge. So much to explore! 

Once we saw the locks on the bridge, we were excited to bring our own on our next visit! It reminded Chris and me of our visit to the gorgeous, romantic Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy, where lovers leave locks on the bridge to seal their love. 

 

 Look at this view! The Northwest is stunning! 

You can see the Narrows Bridge peeking around the corner. 

Blasters, Game On!

The Blasters started their season on September 13th! The girls did a great job, but didn't win their first game....but who keeps score, right!?! Oh yeah, everyone does! 

I promise Leila is playing in the correct age bracket! We have a couple shorties on the team and with Leila being tall for her age, she looks like a giant here! 

Our first halftime oranges of the season. 

 

I intended to snap of picture of the girls, but my favorite part of this photo is the dads in the background hammin' it up for the camera! Nice, Chris, Brian and Josh!

Blasters Soccer

Kaylee, Leila, Emerson, Alexis, Ella and Avery 

FPSC Blasters ~ 2014 U7

Chris and I didn't plan on coaching soccer again this year, but when Leila's team didn't have a coach we decided to go for it! We are glad we did! We had a great team of nice girls and awesome families. We knew half the families going in, but the other three were placed on the team without us knowing them. We hit the jackpot! 

Leila and Avery

Kaylee and Leila ~ third year as teammates!

Do the Puyallup

The second week of school brought the start of the Puyallup Fair. In years past we have been known to go multiple times in the two weeks that it runs, but we are now to content to stroll the fair once and call it good. Our favorite things to do when visit include seeing the animals, checking out any entries that Leila and I have, eating scones (Erin) and elephant ears (Chris and Leila) and riding the Big Slide. We are lucky to be a Puyallup District family...Chris and I get in free being district employees and Leila gets a free student ticket. Can't beat that entry price! Our first stop this year was the Hobby Hall to check out Leila's Legos. She earned a Craftsmanship award this year! 

We also had to find our friend (and my former student) Blake's entry. He got 2nd place! 

 We were lucky enough to enjoy the fair with our good friends the Mellicks. These kiddos love each other! 

Family

When my Dad and Holli came up for Leila's birthday, I had asked him to please bring a copy of this picture for me to keep. I love this photo. That's my Grandma on the right and her sister, my great-aunt  Doris on the left. They are teenagers here, off to go fishing. It was taken in Ray, North Dakota. I look at this picture and smile.