Princess Breanna

Trick or treating downtown Houghton 10.29.2010

Tomato Soup Face

I'm sure there are going to be times when my children will wish that I would pick another picture of them to post to the world outside. Like this one; I am sure she is going to say "I wish you would wash my face a little more often . . ." But I can't help it . . . she is just so beautiful, even with tomato soup on her face . . .

One of the Red Storm Champions - Kameron Simpkin

Excellent action shot taken by Margie Jo. I'm not very good at taking pictures because I want to watch the game too much and I'm afraid I'm going to miss something by messing with the camera. Kameron Simpkin, most improved Defensemen of the year, 2010 . . .

Red Storm Champions ! ! !

Well, I'd have to say this soccer dad is worn right out . . . not sure my nerves could take much more . . . Kameron's unbelievable soccer team did it again, they won an incredible game one kid short of a full squad. In fact, in the second round of the playoffs, Kam's team was one person short of a full team as well, and won the game too . . . to the same team that beat us 4 - 0 during the season ! ! ! The maroon & yellow team was an excellent team, and when one of Kam's teammates didn't show up and we were going into the game minus one, I had a really bad feeling about what was going to happen . . . but even minus one, Kam's team beat them handily. So after a nerve wracking experience Tuesday evening losing in overtime in the dark to the yellow team, and when it became apparent that Breah wasn't going to show-up and the Red Storm was going to have to take on the Yellow team again, one person short, once again, I had a really bad feeling about the chances of Kam's team winning the championship. But you know, I think 10 & 11 y.o. kids don't think like that. They played so hard as a team, it appeared that they were full strength the entire game. In fact, Kam's team had several break aways and chances to score even more than they did. We had one goal taken away from a VERY poor call for off-sides (I was standing right there . . . Abraham wasn't off sides) . . . but went into half-time leading 1 - 0. 3rd quarter, we were up 2 - 0 . . . then the 4th quarter . . . Kameron's team was up 3 - 2 very late in the 4th when the Yellow team had a flurry of shots on goal . . . this soccer dad was clearly approaching nervous breakdown when Abraham had a break-away down the field and iced the game with an incredible goal . . . winning 4 - 2. The Red Storm was clearly the better team this evening, winning short handed, or should I say, short footed. Then a little disappointment . . . the yellow team, while our coach was handing out the Championship medals and while we were taking team pictures, began yelling obscenities at Abraham from the other side of the field. Abraham is African American, as is his sister. In fact, Kameron's coach is Abraham's and Bekeltu's father, as I believe he adopted them from Africa. It was so, so very sad that the Yellow team was such poor sports and displayed despicable sportsmanship after the game. They weren't yelling racial things, but they were directed at Abraham, but why not at Lincoln as he was equally as dangerous of a score threat as Abraham? All-in-all, it was a great night and a fantastic season. I loved watching EVERY game this year, and I'm looking forward to next year all ready. It's too bad we won't have the same team next year, I hope that Kameron is back on Abraham's & Bekeltu's team, as well as Lincoln, Reed, Sloan, David, Alice & Breah. I tell you, we really missed Breah tonight. Even though she was the tiniest little thing, she was fearless. She would get in there and kick away, steal the ball, and take on the biggest of boys, she was awesome to watch . . . a real inspiration. And then there's Kameron. What a defender. He was all over the place tonight. I think he knew he had to step it up a little being "short-footed". Once the ball came to mid-field, he was all over it, and if the ball got by him, he was sprinting down to clear the ball before it even made it to his goalie . . . very proud of his effort. In fact he received a big ol' DQ chocolate shake for the victory (after cub-scouts, that he attended in his soccer uniform).

Well there it is . . . a soccer dad's story of nerves and excitement. Kameron is such a good boy . . . I Love him and enjoy his special spirit so much. He tries so hard to anticipate need and then get it done. He is sensitive to everyone he is around, and sacrifices his own wants and needs for his brother and sister on a daily basis . . . what more could a soccer dad want from his son . . .

Championship Soccer

Kameron, #3 in red, has had an AWESOME season this late summer & fall. His team has made the playoffs, which is double elimination . . . loose 2 games and your done. His team has won 3 games in a row to make it to the championship game, which was this evening. An incredible game; a tough game. After 4 quarters of play, the score was still 0 - 0. After 5 minutes of sudden-death over time, 0 - 0 . . . on to penalty kicks. After 3 rounds of 5 penalty kicks each, and literally IN THE DARK, Kam's team lost in "sudden-death" penalty kicks. Since it was his teams first loss in the playoffs, and since the team we played already had a loss on their way to playing Kam's team, we play them again in the REAL championship this Thursday, the 14th. I have to say I have an ulcer after that game tonight. It was so stressful to watch them play so hard . . . back and forth . . . coming so close. I'm certain it was harder on me than on Kameron . . . and man did he have an awesome game. He loves to play defense, and the ball rarely got behind him and on to the goalie tonight. The other team only had a handful of shots on goal, and I suppose, as did the Red team. Now that Kameron is in the 10-11 y.o. league, the games are more exciting, the skills of the children are much better, and they are really exciting, fun games to watch . . . and I already have butter-flys for thursday . . .

View from the Front Porch

This is the view off our front porch, across the street, over the trout stream and off into the horizon. It has been a wonderful year for Autumn colors and great weather. An Indian Summer for sure; high 60's, mid 70's, my favorite time of year.