GOLD in Atlanta!!!!!

McKay's club volleyball team took the gold medal in Atlanta on Saturday the 4th of July!!!

What a week!!!! McKay, Greg and I spent last week in Atlanta... McKay played volleyball while Greg and I cheered McKay and his team on at the USA Junior Olympics Boys Championship....

Going into the tournament we were wishing, hoping, dreaming for the Gold...but the reality of watching them win the GOLD is simply the best...

I am not sure who had the harder job...McKay who actually had to play 4 days of volleyball under great expectations with a new setter that had only been with the team for a week (the old setter sustained an injury that took him out of the tournament) or the parents who sat on the sidelines and had to endure some matches that were CRAZY close that caused a huge amount of stress to all of us :)...

On day 2 all 3 matches went to tie breakers...one more missed block, dig, serve or pass and we were going to be anything but National Champions...this was the day that was the make or break day...and fortunately for us it turned out to be the day that made our team come together and play like winners...it was after this day that we did not lose another game or match again...

Here are some photos and highlights from the Gold Medal match:

Let the games begin....

Its all about court 1 on that final day...
Game face on... A spectator view...

A packed crowd...standing room only...

Let the celebration begin...

The 2009 Junior Olympic Champions

Summer Monday Nights...

Means Family Home Evening at the beach...

Many years ago, together with the Goodsells and a couple other families, we started going to San Onofre on Monday nights for our family time...surfing, eating, smores, volleyball, watching sunset, portable fire pit, relaxing...it has become a standard for us during summer...it forces us to take time to celebrate the summer nights and appreciate how wonderful it is to live so close to the ocean...all are welcome, it is nice to be with friends and family...and spending time at the beach is one of my favorite things to do...

This past Monday was our first summer night at SanO...looovvvveee the summer....

Graduation!!!

Last week was a crazy last week of school...

But all ended well with a celebration of McKay graduating from high school...and let me just say McKay graduating from high school was like as if the heavens had opened from above and angels singing 'hallelujah' poured down upon us...okay, actually it really was just ME singing 'hallelujah'... Not that McKay was ever in jeopardy of not graduating...but I can't lie...it is such a relief to have it over...and maybe it's the thought of no more attendance messages from the high school office that might be putting a jig in my step today...regardless a big CONGRATS to McKay! (and me.)

McKay's graduating class had approx. 700 students in it...a big thank you to Kenya and Andy who sat for an extra hour than the rest of us saving us seats...it was very crowded but we were able to see all and enjoy the ceremony...

I threw a family party for him after graduation...it was fun to have his dad and Debbie and their household and his Uncle Clark and cousins...(though we did miss all family that do not live near)...we had a couple of hours of food and fun before he left for Grad Nite...

The "Smith" boys

mckay with his cousin Jordan and sis Kenya
backyard funkendall and cute half sis Emme
a blurry mckay and cute half bro Jax
(isn't Mckay also cute when he actually smiles for the camera)

I am excited for McKay and what the next 4 years at Long Beach State has in store for him...

McKay, my dear son, a high five for a job well done, a big good luck for the future and a huge I love you from mom.

And those who are wondering where was Greg??? ...at the worst possible time work meeting in Texas...yep, big bummer...he was very missed by ME!

HS VB pics

These photos are for you grandma and grandpa...wish you were closer...

Love you.

McKay '09

Karch '09

photos by: Xiphias

Banquet at the beach

My favorite high school sports banquet is volleyball.

Why? Because the coach always has it at the beach...unlike football and basketball which holds theirs in banquet halls..

Monday night was this years vb banquet...food,fun and awards...it would be McKay's last and Karch's first...

The last few months have been filled with MANY volleyball matches...the high school season ended a few weeks ago...(club started right away and we still have 3 more weeks of that season)

It was a fun night...everyone in the fam came to support McKay and Karch...

McKay had a great season and was honored with quite a few awards...

But what was probably the coolest was that both McKay and Karch walked away with MVP honors from their respective teams...it was a good moment for the brothers. Way to go boys.

Battle of the Bands...

Last Friday I grabbed Sandon and Kendall from school during lunch and we made the trip to the high school...

Last week the school was holding their annual 'Battle of the Bands'...this is when students can tryout with their respected bands and if selected they get to play during lunch one of the days. McKay's group were picked to play during lunch Friday.

The three of us had a great time with video and camera in hand watching McKay and friends perform...they did a great job and we were very impressed. We also spotted Karch with friends watching the show...