Dance Nationals in Daytona Beach!

Ashley and Mama had the most amazing trip to Daytona Beach for her national dance competition.  Sorry boys!  It got off to a very rocky start with not being able to get to the airport easily because of flooding and thunderstorms and then our plane from XNA to ATL getting struck by lightning (Mama may have thought she, Ashley, Chandra, Sophia and the Draper family were all going to die) but once we were at the beach the fun began!  The girls were inseparable and so sweet about cheering each other on during their different dances.  They soaked up meals together, pool time, beach time, play time in the room and let's not forget the excitement about seeing dance teachers and heel stretches all over town.  Ashley's jazz number, Water Me placed 3rd out of 23 dances and Sophia's lyrical number, Rainbow placed 5th out of 11.  Not too shabby at all for their first nationals.  The studio was thrilled with Water Me...it got Platinum, 3rd place and a special award for the top costume in all of the Sapphire category!

After Chandra and Sophia left on Tuesday, Ashley and Mama had special time just the two of them until we headed back on Friday.  Callbacks were on Thursday so we had to stay until then in case they were called back.  Turns out in the Sapphire category they only call back 5 total dances out of hundreds.  Would have been good to know that and maybe book an earlier flight home but if we would have done that they would have probably gotten called back.  We made the most of our time though.  Lots of pool time where Sara got called 'Fun Mommy,' lots of donuts, a whole cheese pizza just for her because the slices of pizza on the boardwalk weren't enough, ice cream, popsicles, long walks on the beach, time with friends at their resort that had a lazy river and water slides, sand castles, TV while falling asleep, heel stretches, and lots and lots of love and hugs.  What a special week that will live on in our memories forever!!!!!  A big shout out to Brian for letting the week happen, for Nana for flying down to take care of T and for Daddy picking up with girl with flowers in tow even though it was his birthday!  We are blessed!

Sara's State Tennis Tourney

Sara plays on a 3.0 tennis team here at Pinnacle but also plays on a 2.5 tennis team in a nearby neighborhood, Shadow Valley.  Well the 2.5 team won enough matches that they got to go to the state tournament in Little Rock.  It fell on a busy time (the Friday through Sunday before Ashley's dance competition in Florida) but Sara was able to play on Friday and Saturday.  Brian brought the kids down late Friday to watch on Saturday which was super nice!!  It was hotter than Hades and more humid than Florida and just plain old miserable but we played hard against crazy good teams.  Sara will never forget her last match when she played singles and won the first set, lost the second set and lost the 3rd set tie break 9-11.  Sad.  

In between matches Brian and the kids checked out the Presidential library.  Super cool!!

VBX & Other Summer Camps

The kids have been able to do a few camps here and there in June!  VBX at CUMC where Trevor bonded with his counselor!

Ashley did a Paw Patrol camp at Trike Theater!

Trevor did a Fellowship of Christian Athletes tennis camp.

Father's Day Camping and Weekend

For Father's Day Brian wanted to go camping so off we went with our friends the Martins!  We intended to go Friday through Sunday (even though it appears we packed for weeks LOL) but the weather had other ideas so we got there Friday but home Saturday night after dinner.  Bummer.  Especially after the storms Saturday night into Sunday kind of fizzled out.  But we made the most of our time while camping and enjoyed some pool time Sunday to celebrate our #1!  Happy Father's Day to both Papas too!  Love you all and appreciate everything you three do for us.  XOXO

Ashley's Pitiful Pout

Ashley's friend Leila apparently taught her this sad new puppy dog look complete with hand motions to get her way.  Not going to work Ashley!  Ok, maybe.  Eek.  Too cute!

Natural's Game!

It's always a good day when we get to see our friends the Paprocki's!  We got some Natural tickets off Groupon and away we went!  It was the perfect afternoon after Sara's big race and luckily it wasn't too hot.  Ashley was the winner at scoring free baseballs from the dugout!!