March is Gone

I really did start this over a month ago, but then failed to finish writing, and now I have probably way too many pictures for one post.  I looked back and the last time I posted was midway through February.  Well, a lot has happened since then.  Owen's wrestling season came to an end, and then he started going to freestyle practices and baseball practices.  Gracie has started her softball season and is also still playing basketball with her respective competitive teams.  She decided against track, so we will just stay busy with the rest of the things she is doing.  There was another dance for school, choir contest, and then spring break.  I have learned a lot about tennis and Gracie has gone with me to a couple of those matches.  We have made it to Mizzou softball games and a couple more gymnastics meets.  It's all kind of a blur and leaving for Florida was sooooo needed.  I enjoyed not having to think about planning and organizing anything.

Ahhh....I love sunrises.  There have been quite a few good ones.

I don't know which makes her happier....

New softball gear or -----

finding the right dress. 

Probably the softball stuff.

But we have to have lots of pictures because this happens so rarely.

Gracie opted to get ready with her friend, Nova, instead of joining all of the girls to get their hair and make-up done.

Pretty sure they had a good time.

She did her own hair and make up this time.

At the dance

More pics with friends

Different group of boys at this dance

Gracie's "date"

I like that they are still being dropped off by their own parents and meeting at the venue. :)

Gracie has found her passion...

She has been helping out every Wednesday since the beginning of March with a group of 9 year old softball players from Southern Boone.  She seems to love helping out with practices.

She also can't wait to help with the softball camp that Southern Boone puts on for younger girls.

Basketball continues.

There were 2 tournaments in March before we went on spring break.  One of them was the same day as districts for wrestling, so my parents covered that tournament since they played in Jeff City.  I have pictures from wrestling further down in this post.  The next tournament was March 19 in Linn, so we all got to go to that one.  They had 2nd and 1st place finished at these tournaments.

Playing in Jeff City

2nd place

1st place in Linn

Gracie had a pretty good day in this tourney.  She started all three games and scored in all of them, too.

Only fouled out in one game. :)

Gracie's choir at Central Methodist for competition

Very different from what I remember of choir competition.

There was also a softball tournament at Mack's Creek the weekend before we left for spring break.  We ended up in 1st place there.  I thought I had pictures of it, but I guess not.  If I find them, I will post more.  We ended up playing another Aces team from Columbia in the championship game.  Go figure.

Finally!  Spring Break!

Leaving on a jet plane!

We had a really early morning out of KC.  Flight departed at 8:30am.

When we arrived, we went straight to lunch.

Unfortunately we struck out on crab cakes during the first three days we were there.

So disappointing.

Then to the pool!!!

So nice to be in the sun.

Of course, they brought their gloves and balls.

I got to run in the sun...all the way to the beach.  Gracie joined me on a bike one of the days.

Dipping toes in the water.

Love the company!

More pics of our outing.

Another selfie after lunch.

Gracie and Owen posing

We went shopping for a little bit after lunch and Gracie...

Sigh.  She is fun to be around most of the time.

Then there are these times.  

Nick and I wanted to go hiking at a state park, but when we parked and turned around, this was the state our children were in.  We decided against making them go hiking at this point.

Fishing must have been a better option, even though there was nothing caught.

Owen practicing his casting.

Nick...practicing also.

The next day was on the boat.  Deb's friends took us for a ride to an island and it was a lot of fun!

Gramma and Gracie

Gracie found a star fish in the sand.

Talking to the dogs that were with us on our ride.

Leaving her mark

Toes in the water, @zz in the water.

At least this spot was a little warm.  The rest of the ocean was a little cold for my liking.

Hands in the water, too.

Fishermen

Nick and Owen stayed on the boat for most of the afternoon fishing.  Owen caught 6 fish, most of them pretty little, but caught one catfish.  This was the catfish and he was pretty proud of it.

Dad had to help him get it off the hook.

Love how happy this kid is most of the time.

Out to eat

Had to get the strawberry "daiquiris"

One more day at the beach

Last day, best day!

We visited the same place that we went to 6 years ago on Anna Maria Island.  Rod and Reel on the Pier.  It was as good as the first time.  

Weighing our options of where to set up camp for the afternoon.

The board walk out to the pier/restaurant

All smiles in the sand and sun.

Brrr...  I still think it was too cold to get in.

They love each other!

I know this pic is a little blurry, but the backdrop is just beautiful.

Look at us, chilling on the beach.

I could really do this more often than once a year.

Gramma and Owen taking a walk by the water.

We also brought a football to play with.

All good things must come to an end...Visiting Deb in Florida was amazing and I'm so happy that we made the trip.  It was so needed!!!!

Wrestling for Owen

Owen's entire season was frustrating, at least for me, as a parent.  He started his season in November with practices.  Two days before his first meet in Odessa, he tripped down our stairs and hurt his big toe.  He wrestled anyway, but was in a lot of pain, so took it easy for a few weeks and didn't wrestle in another tournament until January.  He was supposed to wrestle January 9, but ended up getting sick with Covid, along with Gracie, that week, so he really wasn't ready to wrestle again the following weekend at Hallsville.  He finally had another chance to wrestle the weekend of January 23, when we discovered that he was no longer going to be able to make weight at 115, and bumped him up to 120 for the next two meets.  Then, he was sick again with Influenza A the first week of February and could not wrestle at MO Nationals in Lebanon.  He was pretty bummed about that.  So, the next meet available was Districts.  He managed to make it through districts and on to regionals, but was sick with strep throat the following week leading up to that.  UGH.  What a winter. Owen couldn't catch a break this year.  Ironically, during his last weigh-in for regionals, he was 115.4 lbs.  He went 1-2 at regionals this year and that ended his season.  Nick took him to the state meet the following weekend so he could watch his teammates wrestle.

Owen and Dad looking on at Odessa during districts.

Owen with his teammates cheering on their other teammate.

These boys are so supportive of one another.  I love watching them.

Ice cream after a rough day at Districts.

0-3 at districts, but the top 4 go on to regionals.  He was #4.

Regionals at Ft. Osage

Getting ready for his match

After his last match with Dad/Coach

Disappointed afterward, but not deterred.

Love this kid and his attitude

Continuing to cheer on his teammates.

Owen with his friend Bryce.

Bryce is from Boonville and is the sister of one of Gracie's former softball teammates.  Bryce is a year older than Owen, but in the same grade and same age bracket.  He weighs about 15 pounds more than Owen, but this gives an idea of how big of a gap there can be at this age in maturity.  It might be tough for a couple more years, but hopefully Owen will continue to love the sport.

He continues to want to wrestle with Bryce in practices, despite getting pounded on. EVERY. DAY.

One of these days I will wake up and probably not recognize Owen...it's coming.

Family pic

Gracie was playing basketball.

Mizzou Wrestling vs ISU

Of course, Owen had to wear the last piece of ISU clothing he has and still fits him.

This is David Carr.  He's a pretty good wrestler at ISU and his dad, Nate Carr is in the hall of fame.

by the way, ISU won the dual against Mizzou (@Mizzou).

Finally!  A nice day in March!  I took a brief break on one of my study hall days to take a walk outside.

The trail was great!

Gracie had a media day for her Aces team.  Here are a few pics from the photographer.

They have had more games and started their season a little early, prior to spring break.

Catching.  Gracie was disappointed, though.  We bought her new gear just after they had photos.

You can see in this pic that her left shin guard is broken down at the foot guard.

Another pose for batting.

Catcher

Gracie's team...15 girls

Amazing clouds before spring break!

Thought I would close with this beautiful sunrise.

Every day is a new day.  We make a choice to have a great day.

Even if we can't see it, the sun is still there behind the clouds.