San Tan Holiday Classic

If you're local & involved w/club soccer, you most likely heard of this tournament. Well, I'm here to tell you that last wkend, our '99 girls' team took FIRST PLACE! Woot! woot! First tournament for them this season. We are a brand new soccer Academy, as well. These hardworking, committed, leave it on the field playing girls put AAYS on the map! You go girls! We are so proud of them! Here's the post that's on our web site:

’99 Girls win 1^st Place in San Tan Holiday Classic

Our very own Academy ’99 girls team entered their very first tournament this weekend. Friday night, they tied 0-0. Saturday tied 1-1. Sunday morning Semi-Finals: won 2-0 and this afternoon in the Championship round… took First Place after a tie game (0-0) then Penalty Kicks. They took it in the fourth round! Way to go girls!! Our team was made up of six ‘99s, five ‘00s and two ‘01s.

Our first season, first tournament for the ’99 team & some of these girls’ first time playing soccer? I must say, we had big hopes for these girls and through training and commitment from each & every player… they truly deserved it! Awesome teamwork girls! Look forward to entering more tournaments ladies!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Is this the BEST ever!? I was so happy & proud of Antonia. The girls deserved this win & so needed this. Winning this proves to them that they are beyond capable, as a team, to win & take first place! They pulled together, with 2 subs on Saturday, 1 sub on Sunday & pulled it off. They were exhausted as the other teams subbed in 5 girls at a time... our girls had the skills! That's what it comes down to. If they didn't take first, all us parents still would of been proud bcuz we knew they played their hardest. =)

Coach daddy & Antonia

Gramma w/our soccer stud-ette! =)

A BIG thanks to our coaches!

**this is why we LOVE soccer. I love to watch the girls play their hearts out because they want to.**

xo

Spring in Arizona

This means you better break out the 'scun-screen'! (Antonia's name for it!) Seriously! We had a soccer tournament ALL wkend long & yes, it was applied. Even sitting in the shade, you'll get some sun. And I'll be happy to share, I did get rid of my flip-flop tan lines! *almost. Ha! How many of you out-of-staters can say that! I got the sock tan from the soccer games, then the flip-flop followed. Now we can bask in the sun between games or the 45 mins of waiting for game to start to 'get our sun on'!

Yesterday we had 2 games for Graciella. The entire team hung out/ate lunch at Friendship Park in the shade! We played right down the street from Cardinals Stadium. The am game: girls were sleeping. Second game, Graciella scored first goal! They won 3-2. Yay!

First thing at 8am today, girls played. Thought they had a good chance of winning, but w/the grass all wet, there was lotsa slipping & sliding! As a result, Graciella was almost served a yellowcard. (again) She tried to stop & avoid goalie, but slid right into her. She was huge in size & didn't even flinch. haha! I always say "ya gotta fight for it, if you want to win!" or simply, "you have to be in it, to win it". Some girls put all of it out on the field & others don't feel the need. What can ya do?

Antonia left us Sat. after G's 2nd game w/a teammate of hers. Gone till late today! Sleepover, movies, pizza, rollerskating. I missed my mama. =( I bet she was lovin' it though!! G had a teammate spend the nite. Had to be in bed by 930 for the 6am wake up call! They did great today too!

Today, we ran around after game to store, to visit Carrie & her fam, deliver some bday gifts, return dvds & home. May not seem that much, but if I gave you the miles between each of 'em... different story. But, I was happy to do it! =)

There's TONS of laundry to put away & I really want to scrap & sew. The girls have this week off, that'll end w/a surprise! No clues. Sorry. Ya never know who's reading over your shoulder! Catch my drift? I need to catch up w/the pix from field trip & this past week! The plate is OVER flowing! How do you moms do it?! Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Until the cat can empty my dishwasher, all enjoy your evening... ???
xo

Bitter*Sweet*

After this am's game, the 98 Girls came through! Final score 1-0 us! YES! Girls were happy campers & Graciella left w/a teammate for some lunch. Thx Sandy! This worked bcuz we had to be back at fields for Antonia's game. (which BTW, they lost.)

I turned around so quick & snapped this oh-so-sweet moment of my little one feeding this little baby girl. I'm guessing this is why it's blurry! It was too cute though!

(LtoR) Katie, Antonia & Jayna

Way to go girls! Coach Shaye & Jeannie told us how hard you all played! Thx Jeannie for the pic! xo

Graciella's team was up against AZ Fury. The very team they beat Fri nite 4-1. The game ended w/a score of 0-0. They played a 10 min OT game. Final score? 0-0. PKs came into play. They beat us by 1 on this. Not fun. It crushed our girls. They played their hearts out, rain & all. Bloody nose, banging head on ground, hurt wrist... the girls didn't give it up. They all came through the line w/tears rolling. Right there, I almost lost it. I hugged a few of the girls & my heart was breaking and the tears rolled. As soon as it was over, the rain came. Again. The coach talked to the girls, handed out the medals & pins and I wasn't too thrilled at what he had to say to Graciella afterwards. Well, after the game. WTH?! What was he thinking?! So over this. I asked a mom to help me rally girls into taking a photo bcuz at this point, all they wanted to do was climb into bed & cry. They should be proud! They made it to the FINAL 2 teams in the Championship Game! It was just not their day to win this. I so wish it had been. =[

I debated whether or not to snap this. It shows the girls' mood right after the loss. Amree, our goalie is the one in red & she is AWESOME! I'm hoping she doesn't take this to heart & blame herself. The tears were still rolling at this point, as they tried to listen to the positive words from their coach. **Notice the girl in the upper left hand corner of photo. Doesn't she have the sweetest smile? After leaving fields, Graciella told me as the team was in tears, Paula was saying to everyone 'Guys! We got 2nd Place! Yes!' No need to explain what the rest of the team was thinking! I was told this was her first tournament medal & she made her first goal EVER in THIS tournament! Regardless of the day's outcome, she was a happy camper. =)

98 Blue, be proud how far you made it in tournament! You played your hearts out! Second is not first, but just as good! Truth be told, you tied game, you tied OT game & lost in PKs. You didn't lose any games girls!! We're still so proud of you!!

Gilbert Arsenal Soccer Tournament

Once again, soccer ALL day. First thing this am, was Antonia's game against a Nevada team. Found out afterwards that they played up. They lost 8-0. These girls were good---. We hustled right on over to Graciella's game that had started already & they were winning! They were playing an ex-teammates' team. They KILLED it! 5-0. It was an awesome game bcuz coach switched positions & some of the girls who never get a chance to score... DID! Graciella has a game first thing in the am & Antonia plays around lunchtime. If the 98s win? They play again about 12. The 98 girls could TAKE it!!

A friend from 98 Blue came home w/us to spend hectic day w/our familia! We were home for a quick minute for Lele to get ready for her game, then it was off to fields. Except on the way, it started raining. Got to the fields, heavier rain & all the games were cancelled. Nice. From there? Straight to PeiWei. Yum! Home it was, laundry & the girls relaxed for a few hrs, movies, popcorn, making 5 y/o cry. Did I say that? It was only an accident. ha! (Not by me though! By one of the girls I swear!) Left to Antonia's game & the sky was somewhat clear & sunny.

Coach Shaye & our girls at half. Antonia is #13 =)

I know, lotsa cloud of pix but IRL, they were so pretty!

They lost this one, pretty good game but they should of won this one! So frustrating to watch sometimes! The highlight? Our awesome coach stood up for our girls against this ego-trip-having ref woman. One of the dads got heated & the Field Marshall got involved. He was some help, let me tell you. Him in his orange t-shirt & repeating 'ya have to come down'. He was the instigator at one point! All ended well & on a good note, our girls were happy & off we were again. This time it was home to get things done for the am. As soon as the game was over, more dark clouds rolled in & started drizzling! Yes.

Wish my girls luck for manana & I will fill you in when it's all over! Have a good nite & sweet dreams. Speaking of which, my girls HAVE NOT  been sleeping in their OWN beds! I can take it but the hubby's back gets all jacked up when it happens! The excuses are different every nite between the three. Someday I'll list them all & hopefully someone can give us some tips & tricks to solve this! Someone will be going to camp this summer. I'm afraid for her to go!! Although in the past, she's never had a problem but lately TOO much is happening!!

Again. Gnite. xo

Patchwork Kind of Love

I made this card for my mom a few days ago & finished it up today. I gave myself this little time to finish it off bcuz I NEEDED a break from the day. I turned on my iPod & off I went. (I even put OFF the load of clothes in washer to be hung up! Yay me. haha.) Ever feel that way? You should see our couches! FULL o' clean--- laundry! I really didn't put this off though, I washed & washed and had zero time to put it all away! Okay, back to my card! I made this w/Scrapbook Circle's Feb Kit. I'm liking this kit!

The flower I made myself w/rolled strips, sparkle mod podge & CTMH Prisma Glitter. It's topped of w/one of Tessa Ann's buttons. I love her shop too! Have you seen yet? If not click HERE! Here's a closeup shot to see all the details. =)

On other note... Graciella played tonite against AZ Fury & they won! First game for the tournament, 4-1. Way to go Thunder! We also saw a bunch of girls from Graciella's Legacy team. One that she'll play manana! It was great seeing you girls again!

Nicole, Graciella & Riley

Mr Cutie Ryan, Nicole, Graciella, Riley & Jake (those 2 are twins!)

While me & Lele were at the game, dad & Antonia were at church for RE prep classes for Confirmation. I'll leave that story for another day! Gnite! xo

Playing w/the Big Girls

Saturday nite, while putting up our lites on the house, we got the call. Coach David asked the girls to play the next morning in a 3v3 tournament. They were all over it! However, bcuz I didn't see the first email, Graciella had to play as a sub in the last game! Sorry mama! Antonia did get to play though but w/girls 2 yrs older!

It's a small world we keep finding out! On the way the tournament, Carlos & I both get texts from another Thunder club mom we know. "behind you" Can you say stalker! haha! It's pretty hard to miss our black bus w/yellow & blue writing across all the back windows! And NOT many girls have the name Graciella. =)

Antonia played in so many games, I'm thinking 4 or 5. The first game, she said she was a little nervous but by the afternoon, she was getting mad & making a difference! These 10 yr olds, were of course bigger than her, except one. All these girls too, played dirty. Why can't these coaches teach skills rather than the proper way to pull a girl down by her jersey or lay into her & hope no one's watching! Antonia ate dirt twice. That's a first for her! And if you seen her play, she's tough & pushes her way around the field if needed too! One game she did get upset though. I think it was a combo of her dad coaching that game & these girls constantly playing rough! She said it was the girls but...

I like this shot bcuz Antonia (in green) just kicked the ball & you can see the dirt coming up right behind her!

This time, in lime green, she just took a shot on goal & just missed it! See the disgust?! UGH! =)

Graciella is odd man out *17* playing w/99s that day. Waiting for game to start back up.

What is this girl trying to do? I'm thinking, unless Antonia just got right in between her & the ball! Agressive I tell you! Go mama!

There's always enough time for some last minute instruction! Coach David is giving Antonia the low*down!

Game over & can you see how little Antonia is compared to the other girls?

Coach David & daddy were giving out medals for tournament. Carlos coached a few games, I don't think Antonia liked that too much!

She looked like she got some sun, even WITH sunscreen in December! Hello?!

Thx Coach David for the invite for both girls! Antonia had a B-L-A-S-T!!

Flagstaff

It was ALL about soccer this past wkend. I followed our team mgr up w/Graciella. We actually made great time too! NO traffic! I love my Iphone Maps! Whew! It came in handy when Kathi got lost finding the hotel! =) I missed Carlos & the girls though that nite. I woke up so many times too!

'GOTH-UNDER' haha! Way to go Sam!

We made good time! Just when it was getting dark!

Graciella, Amree, Sam & Taylor

We woke up & had to be downstairs eating breakfast at 6am & it was chilly. But gorgeous! We had left for the fields that were 3 mins away, unpacked chairs, drinks, blankets...by the time the game started the sun was in full bloom, shining down & everyone was shedding their layers! Did I mention NAU's fields are TURF?!

First game (8am Sat): 1-0 AZSC lost. Our girls dominated the entire game! Just one lucky ball just rolled in slow motion in the goal. It seemed it wasn't even a direct kick either! Just left the crowd of girls & snuck in! =(

Second game (6pm Sat): 1-1 Our girls tied. They played it w/their ALL! 150% & all heart from each one of them! Again we dominated. They scored & our girls scored at the end of the game. They all walked off in tears. This was a first. This game meant THAT much to them. They knew they deserved to win. I went around, gave big hugs & told the girls we are so proud of them! They truly pulled it out that nite!

LyAnna working those girls!

L to R: Olivia (awesome defender!), Graciella & Amree

Third game (145pm Sun): 1-1 Girls tied again. Field ref was absolutely HORRIBLE at his Sunday job. No kidding. He called it all on AZSC. This other team fell countless times & even one girl had to be carried off the field. Graciella was HIT 3 times. Never a call. Hmm... Huge hits I'm talking. The other team scored by PK on a ridiculous call. None of our girls touched this girl! This led us in half time. The girls had less than 7 mins left to play & w/3 touches scored the most perfect goal. Us parents went nuts! The girls made an honest goal, unlike the opponent. This guy made me so mad, I even threw my cowbell at him the ground! Oops!

LyAnna & Graciella's Sunday do's! =)

Compliments of Ana! Thx!!

L to R back row: Coach Mick & Coach Beny

L to R middle: Amree, Sam, Brenna, Paula, LyAnna, Morgan, Taylor

L to R bottom: Mekenna, Allie, Graciella, Bella, Vanessa

Missing: Olivia & Brianna

Leleanna

Sat during the day, we made a stop at Starbucks & met this girl that wrote this book. Interesting. Real nice girl w/some story! She lives & is from Flagstaff too. After talking w/her & her leaving, she came back a little while after & handed me her book. I wanted to buy it but she wouldn't allow me to! She did the same w/Ana first. I love to read so I grabbed her copy & started asking questions! =)

        

Bella, LyAnna, Taylor & Graciella

It was a gorgeous day! Cooler weather (compared to home!) & the girls didn't let that stop them! They all went swimming & had a blast! It was about 81 or so. Carlos & the girls drove up w/Coach Mark & his daughter. It was great to hang out w/all the girls & parents. The only time we talk is on the sidelines, so real conversations were had over our pizza party, if you will =) Sat. nite. Lunch Sat afternoon at Buffalo Wild Wings. Wendy's before the drive back home. Even during the long break Sat, a few of us just chatted the day away going from one room to the other, doors all open, girls running all over, sitting by the pool. My family so needed this break away from it all. Myself & another mom, Ana (who is a hair - Nazi like me!!) decorated our trucks w/paints for the game. NOTE: before you write in paint, double check your daughter's jersey no.!! LOL. Yep, she wrote the wrong one. We fixed it though before game time! =)

LyAnna, Taylor, Graciella & Bella

I love this pic! =)

Antonia w/her dead man fall!

I have to say, Graciella did hustle her butt off the entire wkend. My mama wasn't up to par either. She has had this 'sick feeling' most days for the past 2-3 wks. No flu. Bloodwork came back fine. No temps. No aches & pains. Just her tummy & some pelvic pains. Yep, thought that time had arrived for her being 11.5 now. But not yet. Dr thought maybe she has a virus & the pains are due to that. Hmm... still waiting on results from another FUN test! not.

We were packed FULL to the brim! You would of thought we packed for a wk's vacation! It was only Fri nite thru Sun =) That's what you get w/4 females & dad =)