10 Reasons to NEVER NEVER NEVER NOT EVER go to a Softball tournament in COMPTON!!!

10:  They don't play that good.

9:  Drive by Shootings

8:  Drive by shootings

7:  Drive by Shootings

6:  Drive by Shootings

5: Drive by Shootings

4: Drive by Shootings

3:  Drive by Shootings

2:  Drive by Shootings

And the #1 Resons to Never Play a Softball Tourny in Compton!!!

1:  DRIVE BY SHOOTINGS!

I am not sure what Courtney's Coach was thinking when he scheduled a Qualifying Tournament in Lynwood, CA  (right in Compton)  

This weekend Courtney and I hung out in Compton, while she played some not so good teams.  In between a game we were all hanging out under a tree having Lunch and in the far corner of the park, a black truck pulled up along the side walk where 3 teenage boys were walking and 

BANG BANG BANG.... Bang Bang.  

I just remember Saying ... Was that a gun shot??  Then we saw everyone running from the other field.  and the teenage boys  running through the park into the neighborhood across the street.  A big family was having a birthday party at the park, and started running with all their kids, I went straight into mother bear mood and yelled at Courtney to get down, All the girls huddled together and me and some of the moms went and sat on them, basically.  It was so scary.  Immediately Cops sirens sounded in the back ground, and soon a helicopter was flying over head.  CRAZY!  All the girls were so worked up,  we thought they might cancel the tourny, but they Lynwood girls said "Naw, it happens all the time."   

WHAT??? Anyway, it all turned out fine, but talk about an adrenaline rush!!! The girls won the next game 20-0 in the 3rd inning with a mercy.  & the second the game was over, we were outta there!!  Never need to go there again!!

I am so grateful we live where we do, in our little sheltered safe neighborhoods, that all we worry about is who is putting dish soap in the fountains.  AND My heart aches for those cute girls that will have to grow up in that kind of environment, so immune to that way of life.  It is very sad.  Thanks Heavenly Father for sending protective Softball guardian Angels that day!!!

The only picture I got was of the helicopter flying by... I tried to take more, but couldn't get my camera to work in the heat of it all.  It could have been cuz my hands were shaking so hard.  But when I tried again, it worked.

   

Week With the Cousins!

 Carly was so excited for this week!  She has been counting down the Days!

Jessica, Courtney and I went to girls camp last week and Carly Got to spend the week with Sharla and the Girls.  They had so much fun, swimming, and playing and hanging out.  We decided it would be easiest to meet 1/2 between Redlands and Phoenix, which turned out to be BLYTHE.  (not a very exciting place to meet) but there was a park.  They were so excited to see each other they just kept hugging and laughing.  From what I hear They were non stop the whole week.  Sharla has all the pictures from the week.. she is going to send me, but here a picture from the "Drop Off"    

I called Sharla on Friday, since the original plan was to meet again on Saturday morning and do the exchange, but they were having so much fun and Jessica actually was feeling well.  So instead of going on Saturday we met again on Monday.  It worked out better for us, since courtney had Tournament games all weekend by Palm Springs.  So on Monday I went and picked her up.    Carly would have stayed forever, She loves being with them.  

Carly crawled back into Sharla's truck when it was time to go, and tried to go back to AZ.   I missed her so much, there was no way I was letting her go again!!  :)

So the WHOLE way home she talked non stop about everything they did.  She had a great time, and a very memorable week.  We will have to make it a tradition.

THANKS SHAR!!!  

Katelyn and Emma being monkeys!!

STATE CHAMPION!

Level 4 

Southern California 

Age 8 

CHAMPION!

Carly won AAU State Champion Last weekend.  It was up at Woodward, which is a huge training center for Gymnastics and extreme Sports.  We were so proud of her.  We would have been proud anyway,  But very excited that she did so well. She got First place on Floor and Beam, Second Place on Vault and Bars, And FIrst PLace All Around!! YAY! It was fun to watch.  It's been a long year so far, she has practiced so hard and It seems to have paid off!!  Also Her team won first Place inn the team division and the rest of the girls did awesome!  The Next meet will be in San Diego and the State Games of California, which is like the Junior Olympics.  

Congrats Carly

Warming up, and Stretching out!

Carly and Abby

Her Crazy Team!

Cold Stone for the CHAMPION!

The Many uniforms of COURTNEY!

Four bases, three strikes, two teams, one winner. It's not just a game, but a way of life. Softball, this is HER destiny.

That's gotta be COURNTEY!  

Courtney loves to play softball.  She would play it ALL the time.  (thank goodness we live in Southern Cali so she can)  She loves to play on all her teams.  She loves to chant, she loves to steal bases and she is an awesome hitter!! She definately keeps the team spirits high.  And adds that great Courtney Smile to everything she does!

We love watching her play.  

She is on 3 different teams right now

Redlands East Valley High School 

RBY City league The "Bulldogs"

& ALLSTARS!

Have you ever tried to keep track of socks that go with a specific Uniform.  Whenever we have to have socks I try to buy extra because it never fails that the MONSTER that lives in the dryer LOVES colored socks. One of my biggest pet peaves is mismatched socks.  (My mom keeps them forever, I throw them away) :)  Now we have 3 different ones! ARGH!!!

So To Courtney....

To the Socks...

To the Teams..

Good Luck!!  Maybe you can all join us in Texas for Nationals!!

California weird weather

Today we had the weirdest weather.  We have had the most amazing looking wild clouds.  And thunder and lightening ALL day.  We have had fire caused by the lightening from San Bernardino to San Diego. I know that isn't weird for some.  But here in sunny Cal.  We never get it.  Of course there is a weird eerie electric feeling in the air too!!  I took these pictures of the clouds that are blanketing the sky.  Pictures don't do justice to the peaks, and valleys of Wild weather Clouds!!