handsful

Sister…brother.  But, last night?  They were fierce opponents.  Facing each other in the…

Boys vs. Girls game!  Not an official thing for Upward.  Randy coaches both Abbey’s and Payton’s 6th-8th grade teams.  Practices are usually back to back, 7-8 and 8-9pm.  This was the last practice of the season, so Randy arranged a double practice so they could take on each other.  They’ve both been talking smack about if for weeks. 

He started it off with a relay lay-up race.  The boys won.  By a lot. 

Then, it was time for the game. When the game began, the boys and girls were both a little timid.  Especially the boys…how do you guard a GIRL?  They lost that really quick, and the game got very aggressive. 

Abbey’s backing him up…

break for devotion time. 

Not sure why I didn’t get a good shot of Payton with the ball, but I remember I shared one of him a while back. 

At the end of it all, the boys won.  They were quite a bit ahead, and then the girls came back to tie it.  So, the boys only BARELY won.  Can you tell who I was pulling for?  Well, honestly, I was pulling for both.  Mostly.  It was a lot of fun, watching the kids play against each other, and laughing at Randy as he tried to coach and referee at the same time. 

Last official Upward games are this weekend, with the end-of-year celebration on Thursday.  It’s been a fun season.

Ethan has moved up to the 11-12 league, so some of these players tower over him.  The pitcher on the other team was 5′9″!  He doesn’t seem daunted. 

And, he’s been on the Red Sox for the last couple of years.  Now, he’s an Indian. 

Last weekend’s game was blistering hot.  People (including us) even brought their easy-up tents to provide a little shade.  It’s supposed to be in the 60’s for tomorrow’s game.  Nice. 

Even as hot as it was, our good friends the Orton’s came to watch Ethan play.  Here is Nate getting a squeeze from Lainey.  Lainey likes Nate.  A lot. 

Go Ethan!!!

Win!  First round play-off game today was hot - both the weather and the bats!  Here is EJ smiling at 3rd after getting a hit the first time he used his new composite bat.  He got hits 2 out of his 3 times up to bat, batting others in and scoring himself both times. 

Here is one of those times…headed home while the pitcher watches the ball go sailing :)  Next play-off game is Tuesday!

We had a blast hosting the Jr. High kids tonight!  And, we couldn’t be happier about the end of the game :) 

Yep, we’re ALL ready. 

This is our kids 5th year participating in the Upward sports program.  Literally days after moving here, I met our neighbor who turned out to be the cheerleader coordinator for her church’s Upward program…and, I had promised the kids I’d find Upward as soon as I could.  I sure did that! 

Randy giving his last minute pep talk. 

Randy coaches Abbey’s and the boy’s b-ball team, and he loves it.  Randy has coached kids basketball teams pretty much since I’ve known him…I used to tag along and watch his games when we were dating.  It’s definitely one of his loves.  After me…way after me, of course. 

Abbey throws the ball in.

Abbey and Marley both used to cheer in Upward, so that meant 3 games to watch per weekend.  The girls decided this year that they were done with that, so we’re down to 2 games ;)

Randy’s favorite thing about basketball - defense!

This picture is a hoot…see how Randy is calmly sitting on the sidelines?  Not. 

Ethan is either listening intently or practicing his zombie look…

I’m OPEN!!!!

Do you SEE the size of this kid that EJ was guarding?  He actually did a great job! 

Lainey enjoys some raisins…the key to keeping her happy during a game involves food and one tiny lollipop.

Go after that ball, boy!

Foul shots…