YC'S ELITE BASKETBALL!

 The twins came to us with this crazy idea to join a dumb YMCA league  so they could "dominate" all the teams and play at the Suns arena. We thought they were joking. They weren't. They got themselves a friend to coach and put together a team - half were basketball boys and the other half were made up of volleyball players, football players and boys who don't play sports. First game of the season was against Perry seniors who didn't make the basketball team...they got their butts handed to them. Half the teams they played the beat bad and the other half beat them bad....when they played 18 & 19 year olds they didn't stand a chance...but when they played anyone else - those teams didn't stand a chance. The best part was these boys would hold their own practices in the church gym...mostly the practices consisted of making funny videos for their instagram page or playing tag inside the church....but whatever floats their boat! They would bring a good fan following to the games and a variety of players and coaches! They had the best time! They would occasionaly run the "tornado" play....that meant they ran around in circles and confused everyone and then chucked the ball to one of their players and then they would make the shot! These were my favorite games to go to because we never stressed about playing time...the boys played confidently and then subbed each other out. Love these boys and their friends!! (if you are wondering what YC stands for - it's Young Crackers - ha ha!)

THE END OF A BASEBALL ERA!

 Oh Eli it's been a fun ride these last 12 years! The first year we signed you up for t-ball and you went to play defense in the outfield and came in  at the end of the inning with a pocket full of rocks that you collected instead! You chose to quit the #1 flag football team in the coutnry & quit being on the top club soccer team so you can focus on baseball - the sport you loved the most but did not come naturally to you! We got to be with you through all the highs and lows of the sport! You met some life long friends through this and some amazing coaches through all of this! On Saturday when you lost I didn't cry because we didn't make it to state, I cried because it was over. Watching you play is one of my most favorite things to do! You will always be my favorite baseball player and I will always be your biggest fan! #8 forever!! My little lefty, pitcher, 1st base & outfielder! 

DBACKS VS DODGERS!

 Eli's favorite baseball team is the Dodgers and since this is his last year home I asked Aspen if I could take their season tickets to the Dodgers game so I could take Eli and we brought one of his besties Seth with us! These 2 were cracking us up! Seth would cheer so loud for the Dbacks when they scored and then Eli would cheer so loud for the Dodgers when they scored....then lazy Jared and I wanted food delivered to our seat but we didn't know how and the boys had to show us the QR codes taped to the arm rests of the seats and make fun of us for being old - oops! They had the best time together, we had the best time laughing at them and dang we are gonna miss Eli and all his buddies! So glad we can soak up all this time right now with them together! 

ALAQC VS SAGUARO AT TEMPE DIABLO!

 Well we lost to Saguaro...again! We've only lost 4 games all season and 2 of them have now been to them :( Eli didn't get to play in this game, but they did keep him warming up in the bull pen just in case they needed him.  But this is the text he sent me and Jared on his way home from the game on the bus....this is what it's about.....I love Eli so much and the great example he is to us. He is facing hard things by not getting playing time he deserves, but his attitude....his attitude today was beautiful! 

"I don't even care what happened today. I pitched in the coolest bull pen ever and felt like a big leaguer. And one of my favorite high school baseball moments happened today before the game. An autistic kid came up to me (who I guess is a huge baseball fan) and asked for my autograph and I was talking to him after and we took a picture together"

LAUREL & PRIEST SENIOR SENDOFF!

 We had our annual Laurel and Priest Senior Sendoff tonight! I am going to miss this gorup of seniors so much!! Obviously, Eli is my favorite, but these girls are my favorites too! They have been my girls since we met and bonded at Stake Camp in 2023! Ariele is my salty one, Katy is my "new Emma", Quinny is my smiley one and Maren is the new girl whom I sad I didn't have longer cause I love her too! These girls have spent countless hours at my house hanging out, going on walks, sending me their school dance pics, and even Katy has come to some family things! Love them all so much!! 

TWINS RUN FOR STUGO!

 Misty calls me and says she heard the twins were running for STUGO (student government) reps, but she hasn't received their application packet and they are due the next day! I laughed and thought it was a joke, but as soon as they get in my car they confirm it is in deed true! So we scramble at the last minute and get these packets filled out, make posters...well I made them, but they posed and took their own pics and came up with their own sayings! Then that weekend she calls me again and asks me if Tyson or Tyler would be willing to run for junior class president because no on signed up for it, they don't do much, it's mostly a title, but they do have to make a campaign video. I call them and no one wants to. I knew Tyler would never do it. Tyson...I offered him $100 to run...he upp'd it to $200 and I agreed, but told him no more than that. So he is finally on board and I call her back, but they found another girl to do it. So backed out. Then as the weekend continued, I think he half wanted the money and the other half wanted to actually do it. So at 7:02pm on Monday night - 2 minutes after the deadline, he turned in his video. He ran against Emma Winegar (Nash Jensen's ex girlfriend). Misty and Lisa called the twins a week later to let them know if they won or not. They started out Tyson's conversation like he had lost and Tyler was laughing at him and Tyson seemed a little sad, but then they admitted they were just kidding and that he had won by a lot and you could see the pure happiness come over his face. Then they told Tyler they wouldn't trick him and that he won for Stugo rep! His face was red the whole time he talked to them, but I know he was glad too! We've never done STUGO before, but I am excited for this new adventure and proud of them for branching out!