Pack, unpack...repeat

We were home for about a week and a half from our trip to Flagstaff before we packed up and headed off to Vegas for the MLK Jr. weekend. This took us months to coordinate because everyone is so darn busy, but it was well worth the wait. A great time had by all!

Girl time the first night in town

Why oh why is my 10 year old nearly my exact height?!!?

Mom's shopping at the Cesar's shops only to find our kids modeling in the window. An older lady thought it was so cute she was taking pictures.

Daddy's girl ALL. DAY. EVERYDAY!
Waiting for the valet

Camp Vegas. 6 ipads and 2 tablets between 3 families. Just the right amount

Adventure Dome at Circus Circus

Roller Coaster riding

Downtown

Mom's and their baby boys

Celebrating Bubba's birthday in Vegas. His choice...Denny's downtown. Yum!

Stripes anyone?

Home less than a week and we packed up again and headed to beautiful San Bernardino for the first weekend of State Cup.  I'm happy to report the girls placed first in their flight. 3 wins, all shutouts, and now we are off again next weekend to Lancaster. Such beautiful locations for tournaments. Ugh!

 At this point suitcases aren't being put away and many things aren't even being unpacked. It's well worth it for the happiness Alyssa has found in soccer again.

Getting ready to play their first game
Great tournament, Liverpool!

Preparing for the first game
Alyssa and Coach Bubba learned over a family ice cream outing that they share the same pregame nausea.  Alyssa is trying to handle it better but nice to hear your old coach tell you it's a "gift".  He  knows how much this tournament means to Lis so he sent her a pep talk text before her first game and called her before her next game. What an awesome person she has to turn to. Thanks, Bubba! Can't thank you enough. Hope you're not busy next weekend.

First week back to school for the kiddos.  Neither was ready to go back. Jakey started in with 9 days left of break saying he wasn't feeling well and wasn't sure he could go back to school. Started a little too soon to make that believable. Sorry, bud!  

Alyssa and I spent the last weekday of break in LA. Mom daughter day! One of my coworkers arranged for a special tour of the Anne Frank exhibit at the Museum of Tolerance for Alyssa and I. It was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!  The exhibit is terrific! I would highly recommend a visit to the museum to see the exhibit. Her actual diary is there along with wonderful video footage and artifacts.  We enjoyed lunch, a little shopping and a quick stop at Georgetown Cupcakes LA.  Alyssa also got to experience Denny's. Can you believe she has never eaten at Denny's? Bad mom and dad. Breakfast for dinner and a nice drive home to make it back in time for plenty of sleep before her day of 3v3 the next day. Couldn't have asked for a better last day of break. Jakey is too young so he got to the spend the day with dad bowling.  Win win!

First trip to Denny's
Dad texted her and said order moon over my hammy. Alyssa said WHAT IS THAT??!?!?!
Just a little Denny's speak.

Alyssa received an academic award at school.  I did NOT do a good job of getting a photo. Thank goodness the school has a photographer on hand.

We surprised her by showing up for awards. She thought she was attending Chapel, that's why she has her notebook in hand. It's award day!!

So proud of how well she continues to do in school, but more proud of what a good kid she is. Alyssa was at her friends house during break and I received a text that said something along the lines of...I'm sure you've heard this before, but Lis has a great soul.  Keep up the good work. She's a wonderful young lady!  That is what it is all about! Brought tears to this proud mama.  Yes she acts like a tween and we all know she knows more than anyone on this planet, says her, but at the end of the day she is one amazing kiddo. Proud momma!

Happy New Year!

In the midst of the kid's Christmas break from school.  LOVE when they are on vacation. Alyssa has also been on break from soccer which gives us an opportunity to get out of town for a bit. Pictures below.

Several of Lis' teammates headed to Pomona to attend the Alex Morgan Soccer Camp. Alex is Alyssa's idol. She was beyond thrilled. She had an extremely hard time falling asleep the night before and was up super early the day of.  What a wonderful experience for her.

One of the moms was nice enough to drive the motor home so the girls could ride together and sent pictures.

At camp

Alyssa said Alex touched her in this shirt and she's never washing it again.

Merry Christmas

Someone was shocked when her present started ringing and vibrating.  An iPhone 5C.  WHAT?!?!?

Jakey at his school holiday performance. He was not happy to be on stage and singing. Seb said you wouldn't be happy either if you had to wear a headband with antlers.  Good point.

I've lived here my entire life and have never been to Murrieta's as many times as in the past 6 months. This has turned into the place when we need a happy hour, birthday celebrations, holiday celebrations and let's have a kids free dinner.

Alyssa loves to bake and has friends that like to bake also. This is what I came home to after a morning at the spa with my girlfriends. Not so relaxed after seeing this!

Jakey's first Sockers game. Moms and siblings had great seats. Dads and girls, not so bad seats. haha!

Jakey was super into the game. He was yelling and cheering the entire game. He was more like a hockey fan than a soccer fan.

Spent New Year's week in Flagstaff visiting friends. 

Seb never put a pair of pants on the entire trip. Ummm, someone freezing?!!?!

Eliza and I met through Dan and have been texting/talking for months, but had never met in person until this trip to Flagstaff. It was like meeting a pen pal. Good times!

Lowell Observatory.  If you squint you can see the NAU Sky Dome in the background (and most of the NAU campus)

Happy New Years - Jakey, Alyssa, Bodhi and Tristan

2014 is bound to be a good year. I was pulled over on the way to Flag for speeding. Ugh! I've never been pulled over before and when I told Officer Curtis he was kind enough to play a game called how fast were you going, within 5 mph. I won!!!! No ticket for me! Thank you Officer Curtis!  Hope that's a sign that 2014 will bring much luck.

Wishing you a wonderful and happy 2014!!!