Hoopfest '10

Man- where has the summer gone? I mean really- it's AUGUST!!!! How did that happen? I've been running around like a woman on fire for months- trips, shoots, work, appointments..... and summer has just about vaporized on me!

And I'm feeling some guilt- I've been so focused on everyone else's photos... that I haven't focused on some shots of my own kids.... and I'm way behind on posting some really well deserved press for my oldest. who was invited to play on a pick up team at Hoopfest in Spokane.
And I'm sure that some will say- 'Hoopfest for a 10 year old? How hard can that be?' Well let me tell you- anyone who has ever said that girls sports are not full contact or physical- clearly has never been to a ladies hoops game- or street ball! Oni and her team- were pickin 'em up and puttin' 'em down all weekend. These girls pulled off a 3rd place overall for their age bracket out of 15 teams- as a pick up team! Oni had played with one girl- and the other two were girls her teammate had played soccer with.... but talk about girls that gelled..... wow! To say that they and so many of the girls they played in Spokane have talent- and a future is a radical understatement. It was a joy to watch them play- and we who were spectators were exhausted from the angst and excitement!

Oni really enjoyed playing with these girls and responded well to the coaching she recieved- and she blossomed on the court- she played like we've never seen her play before- it was intense and it was GOOD!

We had a unique situation where I had a first cousin and a 2nd cousin- who are the same ages as my girls also playing- so our entire family was running from court to court all over downtown Spokane trying to watch all three kids' games! It was crazy and exciting and fun... we were sunburned and dehydrated- but content. Life was good. *Here was my little fashionista/cheerleader Gabbi*
*A tired but empowered Onika-

...I'm seeing glimpses of what she'll look like as a teen.... *


What a great group of sweet and talented girls!

*do not attempt to guard me- it will lead to buckled knees and twisted ankles..*

*many a girl realized that running into Oni was like hitting a train*

Just wanted to say how very proud I am of my baby and her friends- because they rocked it- and to the rest of my family- thanks for the support and hospitality- it and you are so loved! xoxo Didi

She Could go all the WAY!!!

And... they're off! Yesterday, Oni's team got to play a rec league game at the brand spanking new YMCA in Shoreline- wow- what a beautiful new facility! What we didn't realize until time to play- is that we were playing a combo 4-5-6th team.. and we're a 3rd/4th grade team... and some of their older players- seriously- were almost as tall as me!!!!!

****And for purely selfish reasons- wish we played all of our games here- look at all the natural light in this gym- no flash necessary!!!! (Man I'm loving this new camera too- much better/higher ISO!)*****

Oni and the coach's daughter studying the floor. She told the coach that she likes not starting for the first few minutes- "It gives me a chance to study the other team first.." (Ron & I looked at each other like- are you serious? Who are you??? And what have you done with OUR child....?) But apparently- it worked for her yesterday!

Now- granted- Miss T on our team is petite- but holy LORD! Look at how much bigger these other girls were!!!!!

The girls played more "together" yesterday than they've played all season so far- it was awesome to watch!

Little Sam- small- but dangerously fast- she'll slide in an swipe the ball before you even realize she'd been there!

Don't mess w/ T!

Emma swims in w/ some screen help...

Oni is all over #14... or is that her twin #11?? Hard to tell... and hard on the court for Oni- trying to figure out which twin she was guarding!

Now, watch carefully here.... Oni's guarding her well- then Carpe deim.... ONE.......

TWO......

THREE!!!! Mine! ***That's MY girl!!!!***

Emma with a little defensive block & tackle for Tegan- HOLY crap that other girl was big!!!!

Ok- brace yourself.... sister got enough off a rebound- that she got fouled! So here she is setting up to make her first 2 of this AAU season- and her first ever game free-throw. And it was perfect- nothing but net!!!!!

****and then she and I looked at each other and put up 5 fingers..... I owed her five bucks.... and she smiled all they way back down the court!****

Oni- working and running harder than we've ever seen her- daddy took her before we left for new shoes- are you all sitting down??? now they are a smidge big- but not really.... a MEN'S 8.5!!!!! That's the equivalent to a ladies 10?????? Time to measure her again I guess.... she and I will be trading shoes in no time!

***Side note- just measured her- she's grown 3/4" in the last month!****

She's getting faster and lighter on her feet! I love the stop action on this shot- she's up on her toes.

What a joy to watch yesterday- the girls needed that win. Now pray for us today- we've got a double header against two really tough teams... Stay tuned for film at 11!