USA Adidas Cup

Since my little camera took a swim in the creek, I took pictures with my phone. I do wish I had taken my Nikon, but I have a hard time lugging it around along with all the other crap I have to take to games (chairs, sunblock, water, snacks, umbrellas....).

We finally made it over the hump this tournament and played in the championships. We killed another USA team in the semi-finals and advanced to the end. Our first few games were close. We tied our first game 1-1 and ended up playing that same team for first place. They won in the end by one stinking point. It was tied 3-3 and I thought it was going to go to extra time, but the one good player they had on their team scored in the last 30 seconds. I actually think the time was up 3-4 minutes earlier but the ref hadn't called the game. I think he was just going to let the game go until someone scored again so that we didn't have to play all day. It was 100 degrees and the kids had already played that morning so I don't blame him.

In one of the games, Josh did one of his awesome slide tackles (the legal kind) and ripped his knee up. He was pretty annoyed that the ref made him leave the field to get it cleaned up. He didn't understand why blood is such a big deal. So after some explaining and waiting for the the medic team to clean him up, he went back in but just in time for the whistle to blow and the game to be over. His coach kept asking if he was done and ready to go back in and Josh was freaking out about it taking too long to get cleaned up, but rules is rules. He called his dad after the game and told him he missed the whole second half. It was more like 6-7 minutes, but it felt like forever.

So here they are after getting their awards. It was great for the boys to finally get a medal. I think they were all a little mixed up inside - happy to be there, but bummed about second place. Not much you can do though when the other team has a 17 year old scoring all the goals for them.

It was a great way to end a summer packed with tournaments. This was our fifth tourney since June and the difference in our team is pretty remarkable. Our season starts next week and they are all excited to get started.

Yesterday Josh stayed home from school with a stomach bug. He was beside himself when he found out that I emailed his coach and told him he wouldn't be at soccer last night. Isn't that mean? He seriously was lost last night when he started to feel better and couldn't go to practice. The kid can't breath without a ball at his feet.
  

Camping

Since the boys and I were originally planning to be in England the week of August 8th, my parents had scheduled a week of camping with the girls. For those that haven't heard, Jer got a new job last month and has spent the month of August in Colorado.  So, as good as a new job is, unfortunately, we had to postpone our England trip to next Spring. Erin and Emma still got to go with Grandma and Grandpa on their little vacation though.  Josh and I went up Thursday night and crashed their party.

 The girls were excited to show us everything that they had been doing. Playing in the creek is something I grew up doing. I was a little worried initially because of the water levels this year, but the creek was way down. It didn't take Emma long to put a hole in her shorts going down the "slide." And then, shortly after that, her bum cheeks were showing! So funny. She didn't believe me when I told her that would happen. I really wanted to take a picture of them hanging on the clothes line, but she threw a fit about it.

The picture below is how the big kids play in the creek. I kept asking Josh if he was ever going to get off his throne - he didn't think it was funny when I helped him out of it. I didn't think it was funny when my camera took a dive in the creek. :(

 The tent looks small in this picture - it's not small. Weird.

Erin didn't realize how much she had missed me until I got up the canyon to see her. She couldn't leave my side. I didn't mind. I was lonely without her, too. The crazy thing is that the kids immediately went back to fighting and driving me crazy. How is it that the girls went all week not whining or fighting, but as soon as Josh and I got there, everything changed.

There were only a few moments when they were actually all getting along and smiling... usually when my camera was out. It was so fun to spend time in the mountains. It is one of my favorite things to do. Next time I would just prefer to not be a single parent. Thank heavens for grandmas and grandpas.

England update: For those that have helped Josh work toward his England trip, we appreciate it so much!!!! He has earned more than half of his part and is excited to go to ManU this Spring. I will keep you all up to date as he continues to prepare for his AMAZING trip!

Park City Extreme Cup

 USA White 2011

(from left to right) Tyler, Hudson, Dakota, Parker, Ethan, Jabin, Connor, Jake, Riley, Josh, Jeff, (front) Jared, Kaden, Leo,(laying) Ryan, Canyon

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 We had such a fun time at the Park City Extreme Cup. Josh's team has gotten crazy good ... until they get to the semi-finals. Ugh. We killed it in the first three games (scores were 9-2, 7-1, 4-2) and went to the semi-finals in first place. But, unfortunately, we didn't win that game so we didn't advance to the championships.We are playing in the Adidas Cup this coming weekend and I think the boys, the parents and the coach are counting on taking a gold. This will be our 5th tournament since school got out and these boys need to take home a trophy.

 Josh put his new shoes to the test. They performed well. Or he did. Or both. He played every minute of all the games so I'm getting the impression that his coach is liking the way he plays. This is the first time in years he has had this much field play (rather than being in the box as keeper all the time) and he is really loving every minute of the game.

 Erin and Emma survived another tournament mostly because Cari came and entertained them. We had way too much fun. The kids got to see what Cari and I act like late at night with a lot of caffeine and sugar in our systems.We're not exactly mature.

 The girls bat their eyes at Cari and she buys them what they want. This time it was hats. They are cute in hats.

 For some reason, it's fun to go out to eat in Park City. We went to one of my all time Park City favorites: Baja Cantina. Remember going there in high school after concerts at Wolf Mountain? Ha! I do. I love that place.

 It was fun to take the kids there. We love Mexican.

 Another favorite (a new favorite) is Park City Pizza Co. It was so yummy and right across the street from our condo. They were super fun with the soccer players - they had a big sign in the restaurant welcoming the "soccer studs" and they treated Josh like a star.

 We were at the outlet mall doing a little back to school shopping and I got a phone call from Jer (still in Denver). He was having a bad day - missing his kids and being frustrated with missing the tournament. So he asked me to send him a pic of the kids. I'm not sure this is what he was hoping for, but this sums up the humor for the weekend. It was crazy, but oh so fun.

Towards the end of the weekend, Josh was plum out of energy. He had played in four soccer games, gone shopping at the outlet mall, done lots of sight seeing, and played in the pool. He is a good sport though and let me take lot's of pictures of him. :)