Emma is playing JO Volleyball. Go Storm #22

Continuing Blog Post...
January-April

Emma is playing Junior Olympic volleyball for Jonesboro Storm, on the travel team.  We played last year but only on the scrimmage team.  Her first tournament was in Memphis at the Cook Convention Center.  She thought it was super cool to play in such a big facility.  It was neat to see 24 games being played in 1 room. Lots of whistles!!  They played on Saturday and Sunday.  Nanner and Poppy came on Saturday to watch her.

The girls found Will Jr. from Duck Dynasty in the lobby and were able to get a picture.

After the games on Sunday, we went to Hueys downtown to eat.  

The next weekend we went to Franklin, Tennessee.

Burt had to work so it was just me and the girls. Our first road trip alone other than to see family.  It would figure that Ella got sent home from school sick (nurse thought it was the flu), it was my birthday, EG had 4 ballgames the next day, and snow/ice was in the forecast.  Thankfully, Ella was feeling ok to go and EG decided it was ok to miss her ballgames and go support Emma.

The ballgames were fun.  We got to eat with my friend Destiny and Brianna on Saturday, then they came to the games.  Burt decided to surprise us and drive up for the day.  Eric met us there too.

The next day we finished the tournament in 2nd place with bad weather on the way.  Everyone tried to beat it home. Some got caught in Memphis, others pressed through.  I was afraid to press my luck so we stopped in Jackson.  It was ice, not snow.  I was so glad I did.  Burt called and got us a room.  The hotel had a big pool and hot tub so the girls swam.  We ordered pizza.  It was an extended vacation.  School was cancelled the next day and the roads were ok to drive on after noon.  We drove home to beat the next strand of bad weather that came in on Tuesday.  There was no school that day either.

Great hit, Emma #22.

We got 2nd place in the Silver Bracket.

 While others braved the ice, we were swimmin' in a snowstorm (and loving it).

Next we went to Hot Springs. Sadie went with us.  They ran into some friends.  EG always ran into her friends! (Al Bob one day and Peyton the next).

The girls (and families) developed an appreciation for The Purple Cow Restaurant.  We at EVERY ONE across the state over the coarse of the season.

The next weekend was Fayetteville.  Ella and Stella became the best of buds, keeping each other entertained weekend after weekend!  It wasn't just the girls that enjoyed connecting with friends over this season!  I loved seeing my college roommate and bridesmaid Amy while in Fayetteville!  Traveling has some perks.

The girls hadn't ever been to UofA, so we stopped by on our way out of town and took some pictures.  Emma had her picture taken in front of the track - where she plans to attend college on a track scholarship.  :)

Also, on our way home, we stopped by Ft. Smith and went to church with Aunt Mary and family.  They treated us to lunch afterwards.  It is always nice visiting with them. 

We also traveled to Little Rock and Conway.  By this point, my phone is full of selfies taken by Eva Grace.  She can usually be found at every tournament near an outlet plugged into her ipod or my phone.

 A few action shots of our #22.

 I loved how the girls huddled after EVERY play, good or bad, and told each other good job.  They were taught that touch was positive reinforcement.

 Emma got to try out several positions throughout the season but mostly played middle blocker.

Documenting life one selfie at a time

Coming home from one of Emma's volleyball tournaments it was just me and EG.  We took a shopping detour and ended up in an accessory department at Burlington Coat Factory.  Fun times :).

Praise and Worship Leaders

Heuys and Sky Zone with the Box Family

Over Spring Break we took a trip to Memphis with the Box Family and went to Heuys and SkyZone.  Thanks to JO volleyball, Heuys is one of the girls' favorite places to eat.  Everyone had a blast at SkyZone, including Jenny and I. 

Emma had several stunts.
Ella never ran out of energy.

 Check out my toe touch!

 EG played dodge ball pretty much the entire time we were there.  Ella liked this too.

Blue dog

Happy St. Patrick's Day 2014

I was hoping the leprechauns would stay away from our house this year.  I even made a sign telling them they weren't welcome, but we still woke up to an invasion.  The girls were excited to find the evidence and searched the house to see where all they had been. 

They changed my sign to read "MORE leprechauns welcome,"  It did say "NO leprechauns welcome!!"

They had toilet papered our bath room, hallway and living room.  (they could have at least flushed.)  There were tiny green feet prints everywhere they had been.  And, Grinnin and Cat both had green noses.  Maybe next year we can set a trap!

For breakfast, we had Lucky Charms, green milk, green straws and the girls all had notes telling them I was blessed (not lucky) to have them as my daughters!

Even Grinnin wore her green.

Eva Grace's math project..make your mark.

Just reading a book..

EGB

Sleet Storm

 It was unlike anything anyone had ever seen before, including the meteorologists.  We got at least 7 inches of sleet.  It later turned to ice the following night and was very thick.  Schools were out for a straight week and the ground was solid white.  It was pretty but very dangerous and undriveable.  After a few days, we ventured to Nanner and Poppy's for some sledding.  Did I mention this was the 2nd week of MARCH?

Cat is 2 1/4" tall

Time to take measurements on the ole ruler. Pets were included this time!  (Might have had something to do with us being iced in all week...)