The Recap of All Recaps

 A LOT has happened in our lives since Christmas (my last post), not the least of which includes the fact that I lost access to this blog on my computer. I have to use Steve's, which is actually not a big deal but clearly got in the way of my blogging productivity. But I'm back now because we are about to start Sara's Senior Year (technically festivities have been underway for a while), and I want to document as much of it as possible here.

But first, a recap (as seen on FB in the absence of this blog) ... 

In January, I spent the best weekend in Vegas with my mom and sister! We went to a speakeasy, played a few slots, enjoyed great food, drinks, and music, and saw "The Wizard of Oz" at the Sphere. It was amazing and such a special weekend with my favorite ladies!

                                                  

              We had our annual lots-of-days off school due to snow and ice near the end of January.

In February, Sara's comp team went to UCA Nationals in Florida! They competed in two divisions; one of their performances just barely missed moving on, but the other went to finals and they came home with bronze medals. She also came home with the flu, but she texted from Disney and said, "I'm having a blast!" which was all I needed to know. So proud of this girl and her years of dedication to cheer. She originally wanted to different color medal, but I think that bronze ended up feeling pretty great!

The girls and I spent spring break in Arkansas. We visited the university - it was beautiful but SO cold (as in it snowed) the day we were there - and then hit Hot Springs for a few days!

Sara came home to the surprise of a much needed new car! It's the perfect fit for her.

Then Steve and I left again for a quick weekend in Nashville to see our friend play with the RRB at The Ryman. We met Steve's sister there and have the most fun 36ish hours ever! Core memory.

Sara has continued to work at Katy Trail. She had to work on Easter, so we brought our celebration to her.

Emma ran track. She didn't love it and probably won't do it again in 8th grade, but she worked hard and learned a lot. 

She ended the year with her favorite - soccer season. Her team had a good run, but finished a disappointing 2nd after they were down several girls in the championship. I'm proud of Emma for participating in every available sport at school in 7th grade. Quite the feat!

Just as soon as school let out, Sara went to her final cheer camp, where she earned another All-American medal! After camp I asked whether she felt sad that it was her last one and she said, "No, I feel good." I'm glad she can enjoy this cheer chapter and then be ready to move on when it's time for college.

Sara got home from cheer camp on a Monday night and left early Tuesday morning to head to Camp GC to start her first summer as a counselor!

She came home for a quick college visit to OSU. We both really liked Stillwater and I know why: it reminded me so much of Ames!

Then we spent a glorious week at the beach! It was our first time to the Mirimar/Seaside area and we fell in love. Lots of special memories made.

 

Emma signed on for a new soccer year. Same coach and a lot of the same players, but with a new club.

And we enjoyed ALL of the World Cup soccer! This was a game watch with friends between Florida and camp for the girls. Of course we loved cheering on Team USA, but generally had so much fun watching all of the festivities. We were all sad to see it end.

Emma headed to camp for two weeks, and Sara was back for three as a counselor. 

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While the girls lived their best camp life, Steve and I enjoyed celebrating our 23rd anniversary in Cow Town. We ate at Joe T.'s and then enjoyed drinks and music in the Stockyards.

Of course we got in some pool time ... a pool highlight earlier in the summer was having friends and pups over for a 4th of July swim and cookout.

Emma's social life kept her busy all over the place - the mall, parties, event centers, various houses, parks, even tubing at the lake!

And it wouldn't be the end of summer without her spending a day at school helping me prepare for the teachers to return. She's been a great helper for years, though now she is a bit more methodical about how she bargains after a day of work!

School starts Tuesday. More to come as we embark on 12th and 8th grades!

Merry Christmas!

 

She is the Dancing Queen ...

... young and sweet ... only 17 ...

Since she got her license a year ago, it's been a whirlwind - this girl is always on the go. Between school, work, cheer, and friends, she manages to squeeze in time to go to the gym and plenty of time to shop. Sometimes she wants to hang out with us, and she lets us know when she needs a hug, but mostly she's busy paving her own way.

We took our first college tour recently at Texas Tech. She could see herself there. The rest of her life is so close to the horizon, and it brings me joy and sorrow all at once. I'm thankful and excited for the opportunities ahead of her, while still grasping at the moments that have passed. This birthday is yet another celebration of the beautiful, smart, funny, compassionate, sensitive, curious young woman she has become. I'm so grateful for this celebration.

Happy 17th, Sara Noel. You are the best.

one month in

 The first month of school has officially lived up to the crazy-busy it promised to be!

First Day Pic - Steve is always good about taking these for me. Notice the pile of laundry on the living room chair over Emma's shoulder. That pile got put away, but I promise that some version of it has been on the chair ever since.

Emma is back with her Frisco Fusion soccer team for another year. They had a fun pool party to celebrate the weekend after school started.

And all of her hard work learning a new sport over the last 9 months or so paid off - Emma made the volleyball team, along with her bestie!

After just a few practices, the girls had a night of district pool play where the girls won two games and lost one. It was a good start! Super proud of Emma for proving herself and making "A" team.

A few more pics from Emma's birthday celebration. She wanted crab legs ... so we ended up at Red Lobster. Steve and I hadn't eaten at one since we lived in KC!

It was a double dessert night!

Emma was not thrilled about petting Larry the Lobster, but she got close enough for a couple photos.

I have to document the 6-7 ... I still don't know what it means, but maybe someday when the girls look back at this, they'll have some vague recollection of the trend.

Emma's first game after pool play was a good one! They played a tough team and came out victorious after three well-fought sets. She's on a team with a few girls whose main sport has been volleyball for years, so there's a lot of opportunity for her to learn and grow this season.

Sara was thrilled to finally receive her letterman jacket! (Emma had to get in on the pics ... some things never change.)

She's so proud of this jacket and is eager for the temps to cool off so she can wear it!

Her team has cheered several volleyball games recently. The VB team is super good and the student section at the games has made for a fun atmosphere ... maybe a little taste of what basketball will bring.

Her team also had their first pep rally and FNL. Sara tumbled solo during the pep rally and nailed it in front of a very full gym. I'm so proud of the work she puts in.

Last week's theme was Western, so the girls wore boots for a portion. I love this shot that a student photographer got of Sara.

FNL was cut short because of lightening, but they got a full half in and looked great. The football team is 2-0, and we are looking forward to seeing a full game this week.

And ... the Cyclones are 3-0! We've made it to all three game watches so far and have had lots of fun with our DFW Cyclones. During the Iowa-Iowa State game, Sara participated in the traditional corn-eating contest and won a $25 gift card! The shot below is a still from the video Steve took, and she was locked in. We loved that she showed up after volunteering and entered herself in the contest. Emma missed out due to a soccer game.

This week is homecoming! We'll attend the parade and community pep rally tonight, football game on Friday, and then Sara has plans with a group of friends on Saturday night. The cheer moms got together on Sunday evening to make "leg mums" for the girls to wear while they cheer on Friday. I was pretty proud of my craftiness - hopefully it doesn't fall apart mid-game! 

Not pictured: Sara's first car breakdown in the midst of traffic. Ugh. Not fun, but she handled it well. She also started back at Dance Upon a Star. When Emma's not at a game or practice, she's become a regular attendee at 8th grade and Varsity VB games ... and they've both kept busy with plenty of homework. Our schedule doesn't currently show any signs of slowing down, so we're just rolling with it - running in a million directions and trying to soak it all in ... while attempting to get a tiny bit of rest and maintain some sanity. #teenagers

Lucky 13

The baby of our family is a teenager today. She's still as much the blonde-hair-lots-of-spunk Emma Grace Brittain that she's always been, just a little more grown up. Somewhere between a kid and adult - in the middle. Like she always has, Emma has big feelings, lots of opinions, seeks justice, makes us laugh out loud, keeps us running with her activities and social life, and brings plenty of spice to everyday.

Emma is finding her way in 7th grade, and is proud of herself for making the A volleyball team. Like she has been on the soccer field for so many years, she's a leader on the court and I love watching her find her place.

She loves her favorite spot on the couch and snuggling with Jim. She always has a craft or four going, and has discovered a passion (and talent) for doing nails and hair. When she doesn't have an activity planned, she finds one - which most recently includes attending Varsity volleyball games with friends. She takes pride in her grades and working hard at school.

Our #4 continues to make us proud in so many ways. She vacillates between being ultra-responsible and testing every limit ... between needing a hug and telling us to leave her alone. I guess she's doing all the things she should be doing at Lucky 13.

We love celebrating you, Emma Grace, and can't fathom a September 3rd without you. We are so glad that you are YOU.

Happy 13th, Joseph!💗