April

It think the last thing I posted about was Owen's first freestyle meet of the season.  We've had a few more since then, as well as some softball tournaments for Gracie.  I'm a little behind, as prom has also happened, but I'll get to that in the next post.  

We celebrated my birthday this year!
Margaritas, queso, tequila, and a sombrero!!!

The kids joined us for dinner and left early, but came home to decorations!
Well done.

I made myself a cake, too.
I gave Holland, my birthday buddy, a matching one.
April took a picture, but I never saw it.

Spring softball started and it's actually already done.

Aces 18u had 3 tournaments this spring - Oklahoma and 2 in Kansas.  I was only able to go to one of them in Overland Park due to work obligations, but they have already played 21 games.  That's a lot for 3 weekends.  This team is so fun to watch and it's a little humbling seeing the talent on her team.  It has been a slow start for Gracie, and she did take one day off for prom, but was right back at it the next day.
 
Top Gun Tourney at Blue Valley 

Same tournament - I love the smiles

Then back to business

Gracie with her bday buddy, Ava Bush.
Ava plays for Select and they have continued their friendship.
The relationships Gracie has built through this sport is priceless.

pre-game fun

This team
They were 2nd in Oklahoma, 1st at the Top Gun Invite, and I think tied for 1st with Nebraska Gold.  The only thing that may have put us 2nd was the run differential.

After winning the Top Gun tourney
Kali, Addison, Addy, Gracie, Ella

Addison and Gracie

In between tournaments, they had a media day and practice.  I drove Gracie over to Kansas and this is pretty typical...

Sleeping Beauty

Aces 18u catchers
Hannah, Gracie, Dally

2025 Aces 18u
I think there is only one missing, but I can't think of who it is.

Gracie and Ella

Gracie, Syd, and Addy
Syd and Addy will be a Mizzou next fall; Gracie will join them in a year.

The past weekend was so FULL.  Gracie had prom, then drove over early with Nick for an 8am game in Kansas.  The next games won't be until June.

The state qualifiers for wrestling were recognized at the school district meeting.

Chase asked officially asked Gracie to prom.

More wrestling

Since the first weekend in April, Owen has had three more wrestling tournaments; 2 in the KC area, and then state in Springfield.  He has had some good competition and has done pretty well.  The tournament at Ft. Osage was great, and he went 3-0.  Most of them were Madison bracket, so he just wrestled kids similar in weight and ability.  The state freestyle tournament actually required them to weigh in at the weight they registered for.  He barely made it to 157.  He had not been that light since Folkstyle Nationals in March.  But he made it.  Owen seems to really like freestyle season and wants to wrestle as much as he can.  He had some friends at the last tournament before state.  He and Bryce are pretty inseparable at these tournaments.

Hogan, Bryce, and Owen

Owen's 2nd match at Ft. Osage

Win

3rd match
This was a pretty good match.  Owen came from behind to win after being down 5-0 early in the 2nd period.  He scored 3 takedowns after that and went on to win 8-6.

Another pic of the last match


Fanning in between periods...thanks Kyle

Freestyle State was this past weekend in Springfield, MO.  I stayed back with Gracie for prom support, so I don't have many pictures from wrestling.  My parents went to cheer Owen on, and Nick said he had a good day.  Owen was in the finals and came up short, placing 2nd.  This tournament was a qualifier for Missouri State Dual Team, as well as a guaranteed spot for Fargo.  Of course, Bryce placed 1st, so does not need to compete again until the dual team goes to Utah.  Last year in 14u they took 2 at each weight to PA, but 16u only takes one.  It's a complicated system, but in a nutshell, Owen will be traveling up to Rochester, MN this weekend to compete for a spot to go to Fargo for Nationals.  Top 6 will qualify.  He seems determined to do this and wants to go to Fargo.  This tournament is less than a week after Gracie's tournament in Colorado.  So, we'll make weight again this week and hopefully come up with some wins this weekend!!

I love this pic, looking toward the east in the morning.
It has already changed so much since I took this a couple weeks ago.  The trees are all green now.

I'll post prom pics in the next one... stay tuned.









 

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