Monday, September 20, 2010

Going Home for a Bike Ride!

My friend Debbie and I took a roadtrip with our bikes to Newport Beach, California. We had been planning this trip for months. Our goal for the trip was to ride our bikes at the beach. Ride we did, lots. Saturday we rode the Back Bay trail about 20 miles. Sunday was a cool, fogging, drizzly ride from Newport Pier to The Wedge. It was extra fun for me since that is where I grew up. It's funny how as a kid I took the ocean for granted. I had no idea it was home or one of my best friends and how I'd miss it so much. I wonder if that's how my kids will feel about mountains or red dirt someday. Below are some pictures I took while visiting my home!
The waves were huge at The Wedge! These pictures don't show any comparison to their size. There is something awesome about the sound of a huge wave pounding on the ground. I was in heaven just sitting there watching them. These pictures do however show how foggy it was.


The Back Bay trail

Debbie enjoying the view.
We woke up to this, my car is the red one with the bikes. I have no idea how this guy got out of his truck. Seriously, his mirror was an inch from mine, I had to take a picture of it and share.


Monday, September 13, 2010

GO Red Flash!

Doesn't Kylie look awesome in her soccer uniform? The name of her team is The Red Flash. When Nikki asked Kylie what the name of her team was she simply said, "The Red Team." She is adorable, in fact so adorable that we'll forgive her for not wanting to play in the game. She was a little sick and was content to sit on her Mommy and her Grandma's (that would be me) lap and watch her team play and WIN! Although at this age there is no score, everyone is a winner, yea right. Can't wait for the next game, to see her run around and kick the ball.

For years my entire world revolved around soccer. All five of my kids played, and were of course very good. I rarely had a Saturday free of frantically looking for a missing cleat or shinguard. We'd hurry out the door and drive to the field just in time. Craig was always a coach or referee. I was the team Mom and had my oranges all sliced and ready.

I can't recall how many times I have driven past the local soccer fields and felt an overwhelming feeling of envy as I'd see the Moms sitting in their chairs watching their cuties wearing over sized shirts and matching shorts run around the field fighting for the ball. I miss watching my own cuties, not so sure they'd want to be called cuties (sorry kids, I'm having a Mom moment here.) I never understood the Mom's that would come to the game, set up their chair and whip out a book to read. Didn't they know what they were missing? I did, I'd watch every step my kids made and delight in every connection they would make with the ball and yell and scream the most embarrassing things. That's right, I'm a screamer, I was one of those parents. The kind that get so caught up in the moment that they lose all self control, like this is their chance to just scream their head off and it will be perfectly acceptable. Then on the way home try to recount if they'd offended anyone or made anyone feel bad. Awe, the joy of it. The point is that I miss those soccer days! I am so thankful for grandchildren and a second chance to enjoy what I love the most, watching my kids play. For the grand kids I will try to be quiet and watch.


Hanna is beautiful, her soccer days are coming in a couple of years.



Tanner is playing this year as well. I'll post on him next.