Soccer Season...

We're taking a short break from gymnastics this Fall to try our hand at soccer. Izzy has been asking for over a year to play and she's finally old enough for team soccer, so we bit the bullet. It helped that Ellana was signed up...gave us motivation to register.

There are about 12 little 5 & 6 year olds on Izzy's team, some have soccer in their blood (seeing a 5 year old break away and shoot a goal while the other kids aren't even past the center line yet is unreal) and others, not so much. We fall into the latter category. But that's more than ok...have to try everything out to see what Izzy's going to like and what sport her skill set leans towards.

I'll admit, Izzy is too stinkin' cute to watch out there. Her personality shines loud and clear; if someone steals the ball from her she immediately puts her hands on her hips and points her finger saying how much she dislikes that. Then picks up her ball (no hands!) and trots off.

 Above Izzy is in the green top and purple socks, below Luke is dribbling down the field

 Izzy and Ellana

 Laney wants in on the action badly

There were pictures last week and watching these kids pose for their first "team" picture was surreal. I still have my first soccer team's picture from when I was in 1st grade. I still remember taking that first picture...and all the years that followed sucking on orange slices at half time. Hope this season is just as fun for Izzy and she remembers this experience for years to come.

Yes, Michigan!

This summer my dad and step mom celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. To celebrate, they invited family and friends from around the country to participate in a weekend of festivities. Pizza party Friday night, the Crim road race Saturday morning, pool time, then a huge celebration at their country club. Let's just say it'd be an understatement if I said I was excited about this weekend.

I can't help but sing "Yes, Michigan...the feeling forever!" every time we cross the border. Sadly, the state changed their slogan (who knew?) to "Pure Michigan." Lame.

The girls did us a favor and napped on the road. Score!

We arrived at dad's house just in time for the pizza party and visited with my aunt, uncle, sister, grandfather and many of my parents' friends. Can you tell that Laney Bug adores her cousin Dylan? They are so sweet together.

It was an early night for everyone as we had to wake early for the Crim Festival of Races. I remember this race as long as my memory serves; dad running it, Anna walking it, Kim and I attempting to run/walk it, Grandfather handing out medals at the finish line. It's truly become a family tradition and I love that we all still take part in it. 

I was the only one of our bunch to run the (extremely hilly) 10 mile course. I had never run this before and was looking forward to it. I passed a lot of landmarks that I grew up with...so the run became very nostalgic for me. I saw the UofM Flint campus, the old AutoWorld, streets our friends lived on, my nursery school and more. Loved it. Didn't love the hills. I turned a corner and BAM! they were right in front of me and heading straight up. No lie. I felt like I was on that old school StairMaster where the stairs keep coming at you and you literally have to lift your leg/knee almost to your chest to climb up the next one. It was that steep. The elevation raised 100 feet in just under a mile. To Midwesterners that's synonymous to a mountain!

UofM

While I was climbing mountains running the rest of my family was preparing to run or walk the 5k. This picture is tradition to take before the race. Dad's porch. Dad wearing his race t-shirt. Everyone ready to go!

After the race we headed to dad's country club for some pool time. All three of my cousins and their families joined us as well as dad, Grandfather, Aunt Celeste and Uncle Jeff. We were quite the crew. Rowdy would be the best way to describe us.

Izzy and Laney with their second cousin Reese.

Izzy swimming with Grandpa Tom

Both Izzy and Laney were courageous enough to jump off the diving board. They just kept going up and down and it was so fun to see the wonder in their eyes every time they popped up out of the water saying, "I did it!"

After a quick nap at the hotel we made our way back to the country club for the party. Formal pictures were taken with a photographer, food was passed, drinks were ordered, music was sung, toasts were said and much dancing occurred. I so much enjoy spending time with my extended family that we only see once or twice a year. We have such a great time together. Laughing. Crying. Reminiscing. Planning. Priceless.

Of course we took a bazillion pictures and this one is my fave: 

Grandfather making silly faces with me. I'm pretty sure I got my faces from him...because he was busting out some GOOD ones. The man is 92 and still has the best sense of humor...so playful and wants to be part of the action at all times (the man came to the pool with his blue blockers on for crying out loud - he didn't want to miss anything!).

Dad wore pink and gray...their wedding colors, while Anna wore her original wedding dress that she had altered. Shortened it to knee length and cut off the sleeves.

These two littles danced the night away. Jack is Izzy's second cousin and they were hilarious to watch. Izzy literally danced until the party stopped at 11pm. She was a machine and made me proud.

Izzy & Laney taking advantage of the empty dance floor

While toasts were being made, the girls confiscated Anna's camera and took pictures of everyone (and everything). Lots of pictures of the carpet. But many very candid and funny pictures of all the guests.

I'm sorry to say this is the only (non profesh) family picture we have of the four of us...but I love it.

Izzy dancing with her Grandpa

Couldn't stop them if we tried

We called it a night and slept in until 9am. Our girls don't sleep past 7am ever. We were exhausted from so much fun from the day before. It was time to pack it up and head over to my dad's for brunch and a little happy 3rd birthday to Buggy...

Laney got a sit-n-spin and couldn't have been happier. Can't believe they still make these, as I grew up playing with them! And Mike will be the first to tell you they are made in Ft. Wayne. You're welcome.

Had such a memorable weekend with my family and grateful that we all took the time to come together to celebrate my dad and Anna. Only one missing was my niece, Taylor, as she just went away for her freshman year at Southern Illinois University. Can you stand it?!

Yes, Michigan! proved to be a fun time once again!

Jet Setting with Perfect Strangers...

I went to Vegas. For 4 days. With 6 of my closest friends. And it was amazing.

I never took big spring break trips growing up like all my sorority sisters did. So this travel-with-a-group-of-girls experience was new to me. And it didn't disappoint. In fact, it rocked my world and I won't soon forget them memories we made. Here are just a few standouts:

Airplane ride watching the sun rise, to playing crosswords and Sudoku with Bri.

Afternoon run with Jaim, Karen and Christi taking pics in front of all the casinos

The pool time. Ohhhh, the pool time. We laughed. We cried. We peed (maybe that was just me).

The hotel: Aria. Didn't disappoint and I'd definitely stay there again.

Photo shoots...these happened. Often. This one reminds me of ANTM...so much fun.

Dancing late night on a boat (of sorts). Learned the Cupid Shuffle. Epic.

The OG PS. Work it out.

Losing lots of money (LBS, it was the penny slots). Leaving with 1 penny on my ticket.

JZF slotting it up

And more pool time. With more pitchers. And snuck-in beverages. And dance parties pool-side.

The Bellagio fountain at night and singing "My heart will go on" through tears. Saps-R-Us.

Ran into several Evlis (Elvi?)...these men were vacationing and all decided to dress up as Elvis to spice up their trip. I don't even want to know what kind of shenanigans they came across in the white body suits. But it was picture-worthy fo sho.

Chandelier Bar at the Cosmopolitan. Beautiful. And the bar was, too.

Dancing the night away at Eye Candy inside Mandalay Bay. I'm not kidding you when I saw we danced for hours. This was by far the most fun I had while out there. When I took my shoes off at the end of the night I thought the bones in my feet were broken. I dance that much. And every ache and pain was worth it.

Casual dinner at the Cosmo...but the best conversation ever. I love these girls so much.

Up to no good...

Did I mention we spent a lot of time at the pool?

BFF. TLA. LYLAS.

Beautiful gardens inside the Bellagio

Soul sistas. Team Intensity. Perfect Strangers. Love.

Go-go dancers and meeting randoms inside Planet Hollywood.

Back at Mandalay Bay for round 2 of dancing before we left the next morning.

We had the greatest time and it was honestly the trip of a lifetime. So many memories were made and our friendships were forged even deeper. Can't wait to relive all of these moments pounding the pavement with these girls, passing the mile markers on the trail and in our lives.

#PSLV12 fo eva.