volleyball championship

Bryce's first year of volleyball was so exciting.  He started on JV and did well and then he was called up to varsity for the postseason.  He didn't play in any of the regional games, but he did get to play in the quarterfinal game.  The semifinal game was special because all four of our county high schools were the only schools competing.  On Saturday we met up at school to send off the boys to the state championship to play the team (Hanover) that swept them in the regional game. 

 

It was a fun send off and even more fun to get to play on the big stage, the VCU Siegel Center. 

Bryce got in some warmups on the court. 

It was an exciting game and we ended up sweeping Hanover in 3 sets.  The boys played their best and they earned the title of state champions!!

Bryce was really hoping they'd win because they'd get a ring! 

The boys had a police escort back into school after the game.  So fun!

You never know how things will go when you try something new, but Bryce loved volleyball, and we loved watching! 

gymnastics, volleyball and friendsgiving

The Turkey Tumble Meet was this Friday.  Emmy placed 2nd on floor and 3rd on vault.  

Despite a fall on the beam, she placed 3rd all around!!

Her team came in first place for level 7.

The judges awarded her the Talented Turkey Award for hopping back on the beam after her fall and finishing strong with a stuck landing.

Teammates and friends!

Bryce was pulled up to varsity for the post season.  He didn't play in any of the region finals, but he played two sets this Saturday in the state quarterfinal.  

We attended Friendsgiving with our high school friends on Saturday.  Many non-high school friends have joined the group over the years too!

Jason and Audrey re-wore last year's Thanksgiving outfits. 

The variety of food is so yummy.  I look forward to the brussels sprouts casserole every year.  

Santa makes an appearance every year.  Emmy asked for a yacht this year. 

Bryce asked for 10 $100 bills.

The number of kids is CRAZY!

We hosted the youth group at our house tonight.  We had a Thanksgiving meal and played some festive games. 

We wrap up volleyball this week and maybe fall into a more relaxed routine after that. 

a short week, family photos and a hole in one

The kids had a mini fall break that lasted into this week.  Two years ago, we went on a cruise over this break, but we had too many sports to go anywhere this time.  Emmy and her friends wanted to get their nails done so I took them.  They're so sweet.   

I wanted to take a real picture for our Christmas card this year.  All of our pictures of all four of us are selfies on vacation and we typically have on sunglasses.  I wanted a real picture this year!  The main reason we don't do this every year is because I stress over the coordinating outfits.  Bryce and I had our shirts, and we managed to find something for Jason and Emmy the morning of!  We went to my friend Kathryn's house, and she took our pictures on her property.  We were quite pleased with the outcome!

I'm so excited to have these pictures!  The Christmas card has been ordered and I'm getting prints made for some frames that have had the same pictures in them for about eleven years.  

Bryce and Chase golfed after church today and Bryce got his first hole in one!  He was super pumped!

halloween week

Jason and I had a chance for a couple of date nights this week.  Both kids had sports (which was a change of schedule) and it allowed us to go out for a work event at Lewis Ginter on Tuesday. 

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I made fun treats for everyone for Halloween.  

The Atlee baseball team had their annual Halloween game on Halloween this year.  It's so fun to watch high school boys run around a baseball field in ridiculous costumes.  The game had elements of Banana ball like running the bases in the opposite direction. 

I ran around last minute on Monday trying to round up all the Ninja Turtles for Bryce and his buddies. 

We were at Marshall's with my mom recently and Emmy found this cute costume. 

Emmy went trick or treating with some friends from school.  They drew names and exchanged boo baskets, ate pizza and got plenty of candy.

Bryce and his buddy Brayden.

Bryce and Avery.

Bryce has been to Halloween Haunt at Kings Dominion in the past, but Emmy had never been.  She has a friend who told her it was fun, so she wanted to go this year.  Tonight was the last night, and we managed to make it out and with her friend who was celebrating her birthday.  She made it about an hour, but it was not her thing.  Jason and I have never been into scary stuff and now Emmy knows for herself why we're not fans. 

We'll go back for a more pleasant experience when they open up Winterfest, but that will likely be our last KD visit for a while.  The kids weren't into rides and the park this year, so we won't be renewing our passes next year.