Tay Softball 2012

This year our Parks and Rec Department made some changes.  In the past  you had to play on a Park and Rec ball team to play tournament ball.  Well this year you could just play tournament ball.  Let me tell you this has been wonderful.  Instead of playing ball six nights a week we only play three to four.  Marshall is helping coach again this year.  Tay has been so determined to catch.  Last year she was forced to because we didn't have anyone else to do it and she ended up loving it.  Outside of games and practices she works with one of our pitchers an extra day or two per week.  It has been good for both of them.  We started indoor practices in March.  In May we began games and tournaments.  We have already had three tournaments and this is our first weekend off from tournaments.  The girls have really improved over the past year.  Above is a picture from our Waverly tournament that they took second in.  Last weekend they placed third in Vinton.  As you can tell from Tay's face she is not happy about getting second... she is such a perfectionist.  Her and Marshall work on batting on free nights too.  It's crazy how much she loves softball! 

Field Trip

Tay had a very interesting field trip for ELP yesterday.  Let's just say they had to be on the bus at six in the morning and we all know how well Tay likes mornings.  They went to Dubuque for the day.  Well I guess the bus was extremly hot on the way there.  So the teacher opened the hatch on the top of the bus.  Well that set the alarm off and they couldn't get it to stop so they had to pull over.  They still couldn't get it and eventually a police officer helped them since they were pulled over.  To make it better they got lost on the way home.  I have to laugh especially when they were coming into town at six pm I got a call from my daughter saying "come and get me NOW".  Poor girl had a very long day! 

Tay AAU Volleyball 2012

Tay played AAU volleyball again.  We had so many girls out this year that we divided the girls into three teams so they would all have a lot more playing time.  Tay loves volleyball and their team really improved this past year.  I think this sport is one that Tay is the most hard on herself about.  I think she expects perfection and doesn't always remember that she is only in sixth grade!  She is going to go to the Iowa volleyball camp this year in addition to the New Hampton one.  I'm keeping my eyes open for any others as well.  She wouldn't know what to do if she isn't busy most of the summer!

Tay Basketball 2011-2012

Tay played on a travel basketball team this year.  They played in a league out of Postville and played in the New Hampton tournament.  I never thought Tay was aggressive until I saw her play basketball... a whole different side of her comes out.  If you notice she has the same basketball number as her Uncle Nate!

Le Dance Off

Tay's dance class was asked to dance with a dance company from Minneapolis. They performed in Le Dance off in Mason City in November. It was a really neat experience for them to perform for so many people in a larger setting!

Hawks Volleyball

Last weekend we took Tay's Girl Scout troop to the Hawkeye Volleyball game. Several of the girls in her troop play volleyball and had a lot of fun at the game. Tay even caught a Hawks Volleyball Shirt that one of the cheerleaders threw into the crowd!

SNAP

Tay's Girl Scout Troop helped out for the doggie swim at the pool last night. It was a fundraiser for SNAP (the local pet resuce program). Here are a couple of pictures of our troop.

Tay first day of 6th Grade

How is it possible that my little girl is turning into this beautiful young lady? I cannot believe she started sixth grade last Wednesday. She is almost as tall as me and now wears the same size shoe. Tierney and I keep telling her that we are going to put a brick on her head so she stops growing. The time is going so fast that she can stop growing anytime!! So far school is going good for her and she still likes her parents!! Lets hope that continues!

Tay's Hair

Before
During

After

Tay asked last night if she could have a purple or red stripe put in her hair. Purple was her first choice but we couldn't find the color she wanted so she went with Chickasaw red. It's only supposed to stay in for six weeks... we will see with as blonde as her hair is!

Tooth

Taylor had her surgery yesterday to remove the tooth that won't come in. When we had the initial meeting the surgeon warned us that it was going to be difficult to get so we were prepared for it to be bad. Well I don't think I was prepared enough. They wouldn't let me stay in when they did her iv and I felt terrible about that since she was so nervous. After about forty-five minutes they got me for the surgeon to talk to me. He said that it was even harder to get than anticipated and he had to take a little bone. She has stitches around three of her teeth. I think I was still okay until they pushed her out in the wheelchair. Tierney and I both could hardly keep back the tears. I have decided I do not handle it well when my girls are in pain or uncomfortable. Needless to say Tay cried the whole way home from Mason City and I wasn't much better. It was terrible to see her in so much pain. Yesterday was very emotionally draining! She is only able to eat ice cream, yogurt, applesauce and things in that realm right now and hopefully by Sunday can upgrade to some eggs and other softer foods. She can't eat anything she has to really chew for about seven days. We have been staying on top of her pain meds and giving them to her every four hours which has helped. I also have to say her little sister has been wonderful. She is getting drinks for Tay and waiting on her.

Tay Tournament Softball

The girls with their first place medals in the New Hampton tournament. Our teams took first and second place that day!
Tay with her first place medal.

Our entire tournament team.

The girls getting pumped up for their game.

Tay decided to do the tournament softball team this year. We tried to get her to last year but she didn't want to. This year it was all her idea. We had a total of twenty girls on our team and for most of the tournaments divided into two teams. Tay loved every minute of it and is very sad that the season is over. She is even wanting to work on batting still but her dad told her she has to take at least two weeks off (I think he needs a little break)!

Tay Parks and Rec Softball

Our end of the year party.
End of the year picture.

Softball is a big part of why I have not gotten anything posted on here forever! Marshall and I with Lena coached Tay's parks and rec softball team. Marshall and I also helped coach the tournament team Tay played on this year. Needless to say we had ball five days a week. Tay loved ball this year and had a great time.

Tay GS

We had our last Girl Scout meeting for the year for Tay's troop on Monday. We took the girls go cart racing and they got to jump on some bouncy thing that was in the ground. It was colder than expected but they had a good time.

Tay's invention

Here is Tay at invention night with her finished product!

Tay Girl Scouts

Tay's GS Troop donating cans to the local pet rescue program. Tay ice skating at a GS activity.

Tay basketball 2011

Grandpa Bud, Tay, Tierney 5th Grade Tournament team 2011

Tay and Hannah

Tay Eleven Years Old

Braces

Before
After

Tay had to get her top braces on today. They are waiting to put the bottom ones on until her bottom baby teeth are out. She did really well when they put them on. Her mouth is pretty sore tonight so we are pushing the tylenol and eating eggs for supper! I can't believe how much older she looks with them on.

Corn Maze

Marlys, Tay, Shelly, Callie, Isabel, Lena, Macy, Hannha, Marcy, me, Cassy

We took our Girl Scout troop to the Corn Maze over by Calmar last week. The girls couldn't find the way out when going in the entrance but had no problem once they went in the exit! We then went for a hayride.

Tay Volleball 2010