Emily's Cheer squad competed in the AIA state qualifier yesterday. They didn't make it into the top 5 but they did great. Especially if you consider 90% of them had dance concert and dress rehearsals for 4 days before the competition. Emily was so tired at the end of the day that after dinner when she was getting in the car, she hit her head on the frame of the door, fell down and hit the back of her head on the ground. She was laughing and crying, because it was funny but she was hurt. Her hair cusioned her head a little bit. We went through the drive through to get her some ice. She is moving a little slow but is okay. She was just too tired to react and catch herself.

So busy

Wow it's been a while! We have been pretty busy here. Zach's last football game was on Maddie's birthday. He didn't get to play because the trainer was having him rest his knee. He had tweaked it warming up the week before. His team won their first game and that was it. The rest of the season had some close one's but never in our favor. Over all Zach had a positive experience so that is all that matters to me. He tried out for the soccer team last week and made the first cut but found out today that he didn't make the team. In true Zach fashion he has decided to focus on the next thing and go to open gym for boys volleyball which will be in the spring. They are working throughout the winter to prepare for their first season. Speaking of Maddie's birthday She is having her party this weekend, but she got her ears pierced on her birthday for a special birthday surprise. She picked out cute crystal flower earrings for her starter pair. We are going to a ceramics painting place for her birthday. She has decided she would like to take some cheer classes for some experience. She wants to try out for her school squad next year. Alyssa is still taking ballet for now. She has also joined a "battle of the books" team at school again this year. She and her teammates will all read about 10 books and then compete against other teams answering questions about the books later in the school year. Her team last year made it through two rounds. Emily is getting ready for her dance concert and a cheer competition next week. Never a dull moment.....

Chicken Pox!!!!

Poor Maddie has had two chicken pox shots and yet she still gets them! A very mild case but still. She told me yesterday afternoon that she had the mystery rash again(another story) but when she showed them to me her whole belly was covered and she had them all the way down to mid thigh. Mike took her to the dr. this morning and they said chicken pox!

Zach finally got to play again

Zach went in during the last three minutes of the game. He has been working on being a corner but that isn't where he went in last night. He went in as a defensive linebacker and made a few tackles. He said it was lots of fun. Nick got to play at the same time. His team still lost but he and the guys he was with held the other team in place and kept them from getting a first down. I took some video but it isn't very good. I wanted to watch the action for real instead of on the little bitty screen of the recorder. He almost went in last week but someone from the other team was hurt and then the officials called the game. He still really likes football and hopes their coach moves up with them next year.

All about me
By Maddie Austin
I am going to talk about myself. I am 10 years old and will be 11 in October. I have 1 brother, 2 sisters, 1 mom, and 1 dad. Their names are Zach, Emily, Alyssa, Amanda, and Mike. My grandparents live all the way in Washington. We visit them every summer and sometimes in winter.
At home I have 2 dogs Ginger and Cibo. I have 2pets that died, 2 pets that got given away, and 2 pets that ran away. I don’t know all their names because I was really little when we had some of them. I have never had any pets of my own they have always been my families or my older sibling’s. I really want a puppy of my own when my dog has her own puppies.
I love to play sports here are some I have played or are playing. Dancing, karate, and soccer. I did dancing when I was 5 and 6 so I don’t remember a lot. Karate I did from 7 to 9. I was personally good at sparing, I got state champion. I went until November of last year I was a 2* black belt. Soccer that is what I am doing now.
I like to do outside activites especially with water. I like to jump on the trampoline and have a water gun fight at the same time. I also like to swim that is how I made some of my friends like Paige. With my dad I sometimes go on hikes not in this heat of course. I also like to just play games with my family and sister.
Of course I have to talk about school. I have had wonderful teachers’ Mrs.Campana, Mrs. Gale Mrs.Krogstad, Mr. Fuhrman, Mrs. Moot, and now you. I am exited to go on with the year it has been so much fun already. I can’t wait till 6th grade but it is so far away and I can’t miss 5th grade by making it go by to fast.

Nice pass!! Madeline has been playing in a developemental soccer league for the past few weeks. Last Saturday the tan team won their first game. I also figured out how to take action shots woohoo! this sequence is Maddie getting to the ball and passing it to a teammate. Way to go #6!!!

My little ballerina Alyssa. She is a beginner but really likes her class. At the bar before class started and some center floor work. Nice fifth position! At the end of class they did some little dances their groups made up.

Disappointing Loss

Well the freshmen boys lost their game last night making their record 1-1. It was a good game though and if they only had a couple more minutes they would have scored, at least tying the game. The game did have some very exciting moments. Zach was very disappointed not to get to play in this one. He said he had been moved up to Bravo Kilo (or 2nd string kickoff team), and based on last weeks game, thought he would get to be in on a few plays. I just wonder how tough practice is going to be for the rest of the week and if Saturday practice will take place. Zach said the defense coach was erasing his depth chart and that starting positions were up for grabs. Next week should be interesting.

Valley Vista varsity football is off to a good start with a 1-1 record so far. The varsity cheer squad is looking good too. they are busy preparing for "Stormcoming" next week. Emily is proud to show off her new found confidence in her back handspring. As she puts it " I have conquered a fear". The squad has 22 girls on it this year and even though Emily wants me to video everyone I can't help but focus on her.

He got to play

Zach got to go in durring the final seconds of the first game. The boys played a good game and came away with a huge victory. Zach is on Charlie squad right now but he said coach told him he had his eye on him, so that could change. He is working hard at practice and comes home worn out every day. He is number 15 and ends up on the right side durring this play.

more summer fun

Day one - Seal Beach

What does Alyssa think of Boogie boarding?

End of Summer Fun

We spent 3 very fun days at the beach this summer. We took the whole family to stay in Long Beach in honor of Mike's and my 20th anniversary. We hit the waves at 4 different beaches along the California coast. This picture shows all four kids on the same wave, those are Zachs feet at the edge of the picture. We left with two boogie boards, bought two more in town plus a skim board, and left two wrecked ones there in the trash. Next time everyone gets their own boogie board! Everyone was good about sharing, but the little spongebob boogie board didn't fare so well when bigger riders used it. Yes I even tried boogie boarding and had a great time. The water was nice, much warmer than when we went to the beach last year. Even though it was early August it was the end of summer for us. Madeline and Alyssa were already back in school and Emily and Zach started a few days after we got back home. We are in full swing school mode now, and busy, busy, busy!!!!