She made State!!!

(I wish the pictures were better, but this gym is hard to photograph in and you can't use flash.)

As Mary keeps remind me, she made state!

But let me start at the beginning.

September is the beginning of Mary's competitive gymnastics season. She who already spends 7+ hours in the gym will compete every other weekend for 3 months. It is actually her favorite time of year. She finishes one meet and is asking on our way home when the next one is and complains if it isn't soon enough.

Today was at a gym where she competed last year. It is a small gym, but they do a fabulous job putting on the meet Unfortunately pictures are very hard to take here. The only real even we are able to take pictures of are of the beam. So we will share more pictures from the other events as the season progresses and we change gyms.

Because of her season last year she went into the meet today just very excited. They had their beautiful new leos that none of the pictures here do justice. They are beautiful and our girls were the sharpest and most professional looking ones there. Yes, I am a little bit prejudice. Anyways, let me get on with the day.

She started on beam. It was a great start.

She scored 8.5.

9.1 on Floor

9.3 on Vault

8.05 on Bars

It takes at least an 8.5 on every event of accumulation 34 points to go to state. She received a 34.95 overall and will be attending the state meet in in December. Now she can just enjoy the rest of the season and work at perfecting her events. She is so excited. It was incredibly enjoyable to watch her face and she beamed after each event knowing she had done so well.

She also scored 3rd place in her age group over all on floor and vault. She had the highest scores of her age group at her gym on vault also. Her coaches were so proud of her and caught us to congratulate us afterwards.

Zane won his ulcer causing football game today too. It was the perfect sports Saturday for our family. Now on to the rest of the AWESOME season.

Brilliance...

We went to the most brilliant birthday party this weekend. This mom was a smartie pants, and I so wish I had thought of it first. She has a party for her 10 year old daughter at a room at the Embassy Suites Hotel. Swimming, nail painting, free large breakfast, sleeping bags to crash in front of the TV, and cake. It was cheaper than going elsewhere, and the girls loved staying in a Hotel and felt so cool. Sounds like it is a plan for next birthday for Mary, and maybe a few other kids. Brilliant!

Nana

Boston was asked this past month to do a project on the teen years of someone he knows. He chose to do his project on my mom. It was fascinating to learn more about her and about the time period that she was a teenager. In so many ways it is the same, but different also.

She is a beautiful woman inside and out, then and now.

I have to send a thank you her way though. During my last surgery she came out and helped take care of my family and myself. We couldn't have come out as well without her help. I know it is a sacrifice, but we thoroughly enjoyed my parent's company. The kids love all the cooking, book reading, help with homework, and so much more.

We just wanted you to know that we love you and appreciate your help.

Garden of the God's

It is beautiful.

Devil's Head

We spent a beautiful Sunday afternoon at a campground near our house. Less than a half an hour away is a beautiful spot that we have come to love. It rained just a we got there, but in typical fashion it cleared out quickly and left a beautiful, cool Sunday.

It was perfect for hiking, picnicking, roasting marshmallows, and for Izzy and Maggie to go exploring. We called them Salt and Pepper. They were so cute and wore their noses out.

Lulu spent her time barking at the fire popping, begging for marshmallows, and hiding from the smoke.