WORLDS 2009

Here are some great pictures of Blake competing at WORLDS.

Miss Blake's Sweet Sixteen

Miss Blake turned 16 while away for the WORLD championships. This didn't stop us from celebrating though! The team put together a prom night for all of the teammates who had to miss their prom at home to go to WORLDS. They dressed in their formal gowns and suits and ties and looked fantastic. They celebrated their prom at the pool Saturday night and the weather was gorgeous. I can't imagine the temp was less than 75. I had set up the area with princess tiaras for the girls and crowns for the boys along with candy jewels and princess rubber duckies in the pool to represent my princess and her special day! The entire team and coaches, 40+ in all, enjoyed an evening of music, dancing, cupcakes, and fun!

Clay and Evan and their world-wind Orlando vacation!

No time to rest when there are so many rides to ride and parks to visit for my boys! We arrived in Orlando on Thursday late afternoon. Evan swam in the pool for a while then we headed down to Downtown Disney to check out the sites. Friday, Aunt Judy who lives in Orlando and works for Disney, was generous enough to offer Evan and Clay two free days at the park. Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom on Friday and Epcot on Saturday. Cheryl's youngest, Dillan, came along for the fun, too! They made a brief visit to Wide World of Sports on Saturday to watch Miss Blake compete and were off again to the parks. They had a blast! Sunday consisted of a day at Universal Studios which was, by far, Evan's favorite park. Lots of roller coasters! Oh, and for me, when I wasn't hanging with Miss Blake, which was not much this trip, I was sitting by the pool with my good buddy, Stephanie, reading a novel and drinking a cocktail. Life is good! We flew home Monday and slept the whole way home. Whew! Back to reality!

Top 10 in the WORLD!

WOW! Miss Blake and her team competed at the WORLD championships in Orlando, Florida this past weekend. The division she usually competed in, CoEd with up to 13 boys, was added to the unlimited division, 14 + boys on a team. Obviously, the teams with the most boys really have the advantage with the extra strength and phenominal tumbling skills. Yet, we held our own and represented Colorado proudly! Last year when I watched this outrageous division at WORLDS, I would never have thought that our team would compete at that level. This division is definately the BEST of the BEST and I am so proud to say I was wrong to limit the possibilities. Never underestimate the will of my daughter and the skill and determination of her gym, the Cheer Central Suns! This was a great finale to a fantastic season!

Videos of the kids skydiving.

These are fun! I apologize for the videography. :o)

Clay's Birthday Celebration!

Clay's birthday falls on Easter this year so we decided to celebrate a couple of days early. We went to Denver and did some indoor skydiving. I was the photographer. Clay did a total of 4 minutes and the kids each did 2 minutes. They had a blast! Evan was really a natural. Clay really would like to do the real thing and I am just not ready for that. Maybe for my 40th I will be ready to take the big jump with him right beside me.

Lake Las Vegas Trip

Clay and I had a great relaxing trip to Las Vegas. He was in class half of each of the four days we were there. I read a great novel, met some nice ladies, got a great hot stone massage, and sat by the lake in my free time. We took a trip into town to the Strip and ate dinner at the Eiffel Tower at the Paris Hotel. It was FANTASTIC! We had a great view of the sun setting over the Bellagio fountains. It was a great trip! A blizzard was visiting Northern Colorado while we were gone and the kids got two snow days! The kids stayed with Grandma Perry and didn't miss us for even one day. Thanks Grandma!

Springtime in the Rockies!

Two gorgeous days of golf in Northern Colorado in March ~ that's rare. We are sunburned and happy to have had two fantastic days of golf. Storms blowing in as I type. Snow is expected this week. We will put the clubs away until the next sun-shiny day.

LEGOLAND!

So Grandma was worried about Evan because he doesn't get to travel as much as his sister, and of course, she was missing him terribly. She arranged a trip for he and Clay to travel to California to visit them in San Diego. They visited LegoLand and other fun sites. Evan and Clay had a fun weekend while Miss Blake and I were in Georgia. Someone needs to fill them in that these cheer trips are far more work than vacation. Still, I wouldn't trade it for anything. They had a blast as you can see by the photos. The boys will travel with us to Orlando in April. They go have fun and I follow Blake around like a puppy dog waiting to be needed. ;o)

Hiking Horsetooth Rock

While Blake and I were traveling to Dallas, Clay and Evan had a boys weekend. I was glad to return to no injuries, no broken bones, but a home turned into bachelor pad. Ewww! Here is a photo of Evan and his friend, Cade just below Horsetooth Rock. This hike, about 1 1/2 miles, is a fun trip!

Cheer Central on FOX News

http://www.kdvr.com/video/?clipId=3519376&topVideoCatNo=156353&c=&autoStart=true&activePane=info&LaunchPageAdTag=homepage&clipFormat=flv

Miss Blake's team was featured on FOX news last Friday. They were highlighting their recent BID to the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS in Orlando, Florida.

Proud Parents!

Here I am again on my soapbox! My kids ROCK! First semester grades are in and I am so proud! Both Blake and Evan's grades were AWESOME! They both do such a great job juggling school, sports, friends, family and FUN! Second semester ~ Bring it!

Evan's first ski trip this year!

First run of the season became the only run of the day! Not quite what we expected, even though Evan has never been my graceful child. Clay and Evan went to El Dora Ski Area this past Sunday. This was Evan's first time out this year. Clay decided to try a blue run first time. The first few minutes went great, then Evan hit a steep hill and his weight shot him down that hill so fast, he couldn't stop. He managed to fall, crash, and burn and took out a tree in the process. His goggles were crushed and he broke his thumb. Thank God that was it! Clay is more shook up than Evan. Helmets will be mandatory next trip and I am trying to talk him into starting on a green run. Let's see how that goes over.

Cheerleading C5

Yes, I know you know. Blake is an All Star Cheerleader with the Cheer Central Suns. And, I know you know, she is amazing! I have a difficult time not mentioning that. Her team, CoEd 5 will do great things this season, I know. We will travel to Atlanta and Dallas in February and also to Orlando again if they receive a world bid. Even though she did receive a World Bid last year when she was on the Junior 5 team, they are very difficult to come by.

C5 First Competition

So, 10 minutes before going on the floor to compete, one of the flyers lands on her head and is taken from the arena on a stretcher. She is fine now. Thank God! Cheer is a very dangerous sport. When viewing the video, keep in mind someone is missing. Enjoy!
C5 2008 Oh yea, I am not supposed to post this on line. Such a rebel!

Grandma's Popcorn Ball Recipe

It is no secret that Evan LOVES to hang out at Grandma Perry's house when she is in town. She recently gave Evan her popcorn ball recipe so he could put together a video presentation for school. Enjoy!
Popcorn balls

Evan and Robotics

Evan recently joined a Robotics Club at school. He LOVES his legos and this activity really was a great opportunity for him to incorporate that love with his mechanical skills. Their team competed at a competition at the School of Mines and did very well. They earned an opportunity to compete at the State Competition in mid December. The competition includes robot challenges that their team of 6 have programmed, teamwork assessment, and a presentation on Climate. At State, out of 55 teams, they came out at 16th place. We were very proud. I put together a montage of his first competion. Enjoy!
Storm Chasers

Miss Blake has her driver's permit!

Yes, Miss Blake is driving. I am surprised that she is not very Gung Ho about it. I think it may because her friends are all getting their licenses so she can just catch a ride with them. Driving in the city is a lot different than where I learned to drive. We will be going home to Salida for Christmas. She'll get some good driving time there ~ cruising F Street. Oh, takes me back! :o)

Happy Halloween!

Clay and I go to a annual Halloween party at our dear friends, The Wiggins. Miss Blake's high school mascot is the Saber Cats! We chose to go as the Saber Cats! ~ cats with light sabers. Always a good time! Also, Evan does a great Fred Flintstone!

Homecoming 2008

Miss Blake was nominated for Homecoming Royalty at Fossil Ridge High School for her sophomore year. It was quite a great time! The school really goes all out with their assembly. They choose a theme every year and decorate the gym to represent that theme. This year was a Renaissance theme. The seniors dressed as Kings and Queens,the juniors as Lords and Ladies, and of course, the sophomores were the peasants. Miss Blake still looked gorgeous in her peasant attire as they had to walk a cat walk and show off their new look.