Gymnastic Season Comes to an End

We survived the gymnastic season!  After a long five months of meets and long practices Mckinley finished up her competitive season last weekend in Northern Indiana for the State Invitational.   Fifty five girls ages 7 and 8 qualified from the state of Indiana to compete at the State Meet.   Mckinley had a great meet and ended the season with some personal bests.  Here are a few pictures from the event.

The Meet had a Movie Star theme.  Our Deveau gymnasts wore sunglasses and VIP passes for the introductions.   The Girls loved it.  Here Mckinley is posing with her great friends Reece, Mckenzie and Sarah.

The stars of the gymnastic meet!!  All the participating gymnasts names were on the ground in front of the award table.  Mckinley loved it and here she is posing with her Star of fame.  

Picture with great friends and the first place team trophy!  I thought the trophy was a little small for a first place finish at State.    Mckay's baseball trophy's are five times this size and each member gets one.  Oh well its the number that counts and we took first!!!

Mckinley in her cute braids!  I just love this girl and her bright smile.

Mckinley posing at one of her events!  She took 5th in Floor, 6th in vault,  6th on bars, and 15th overall. She fell on the beam and didn't place which hurt her overall score.  But, she had personal bests on all the other events 9.425 on bars, 9.450 floor, and a 9.425 on vault.   I really think she would've placed fifth or sixth overall if she wouldn't have fallen.  But, she will get it next year!

Deveau's win state!  Here the girls are posing on the podium.  Mckinley is in there somewhere.

During gymnastics season there is no fingernail polish for the meets.  With gymnastic season over Mckinley was ready to paint the fingernails.  Beckham wanted in on the action so we let him get his toes painted.  Good thing Mckay wasn't around to talk him out of it.  

Okay so I was experimenting with all the different elements on my computer and completely ruined this picture.  But had to post it because Beckham looked so darn cute!  

Beckham is fascinated with his letters and the other day I found him on the toilet reading his letter book and going to the bathroom.  I just thought this was too funny!

Mckinley's State Gymnastic Routines

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Goodbye February Bring in March!!!

I can hardly believe we're already into March. If the weather would get warmer I would actually believe it. Jason said on Monday he feels a change coming-- meaning the weather. I sure hope he's right. I think there was one sunny day in February. I'm ready to bring on the warm weather and sunshine. The months are flying by so fast and it seems like Jason will be done with his program before we know it. only 16 more weeks left, not that I'm counting!! We are still undecided on our future, for all of you that are wondering. I have faith that something is going to work for us and until we figure out that something we are staying put in Indiana, where Jason will work for a practice here in Fishers. I truly feel blessed that we at least have a job. We have put our house on the market and we will see what happens with that??? With this crazy market who knows. I'm reminded of our last few months in GJ and all the uncertainty and worries about moving to a new place and starting a new adventure. Although, Jason would probably disagree with me, this experience has been one of the greatest blessings we have experienced. I've loved Indiana as if it were home and will always cherish the great times, people, and life lessons learned here. Now, if it could just have a little more sunshine. Anyways, I'm so ready for Spring and ready to move onto March. Here are a few pics from February. Thru the mist of cloudy days we did see a few rays of hope with great friends.

The two Fishers wards got together for a Valentine's Day party for the kids.  Beth and I were in charge of freeze dance.  Beth brought a little Miley Cyrus, Partying in the USA, and I was jamming with the kids.   Well I guess I should say Derek Jeter and I were dancing.

 

We have been trying to get a bunch of ladies together monthly for Girls Night Out.  This month we had a great turn out for some Thai food at Jasmines.  It was fun getting to know a few of the ladies better and a great excuse to leave the kids with Jason.  

Jason's friends from school got together for Craig's birthday and some sushi.  It was a great excuse to get a babysitter and head downtown for some sushi.  

Steve and I posing for the camera.  I'm not really quite sure why Jason and I didn't get a picture together and Steve and I did??? Anyway, it was a cute picture and the only one of me.  

Jason's sushi on fire, literally!!  I think he got the playboy??  I'm not really a sushi expert but, I gave it a try and actually liked a few things.  

Jason and Carlos posing for the camera.

Beckham loves to help me bake.  Mainly, because he loves to eat the batter.  On this day we made Banana Bread and he licked the bowl and beaters clean.

Farewell to the Norris family.  The Norris's are moving this week so we had a going away party at a Pacer's game.  Between the six families we shared two suites and enjoyed the amazing desert cart.   I don't think I watched a whole lot of the game because I was too busy talking with the girls but, I think the Pacer's won!!!

I just love this picture!  Thanks for a great night gals.  

We'll miss you LeeAnn.  

What's New with the Barney's??

January and February have been really cold and grey here in Indiana. Trying to beat off the Depressing Winter blues we are keeping ourselves busy. Jason has been busy with his thesis and trying to figure out our future. I have stayed busy working out at the gym and recruiting new runners to run the half this spring. With the help of great friends, activities, sports, and fun outings with friends we are surviving the Midwest Winter. Here's how we have been surviving--

This year we really wanted to see the Lakers play the Pacers. Good thing we have some great connections-- thanks Alan. I was pretty excited to go see Kobe and the Lakers. I asked Mckay
if he was excited to see Kobe and he said, "No, I cheer for the Pacers". I think he is a devout Pacer fan.

My kids were a little disappointed that the Lakers won.  But, they had fun cheering their hearts out.

Mckinley is playing futsal this Winter.  They are playing 10U which has been a little challenging for her 9U team but they've won a few games and are learning a lot.

When were not playing soccer on Saturdays we are usually at a gymnastics meet.  I took these pictures of Beckham at the last meet.

Super Bowl Sunday---  Colt Fever!!!   My kids were so excited for the Super Bowl and even Beckham all day kept saying, "Colts win mom and the Saint's lose."  It was a heartbreaking loss but, such a fun season.

We watched the game at the Alston's.  The boys sitting at the chip table.

Last Tuesday we went to the Bulls Pacer game.  McKay and Jake screamed and danced trying to get on the big screen.

Mckinley got to dance with the Pacer's cheerleader and loved it.

On Wednesday Jason took Mckinley to a Daddy Daughter dance put on by the city of Fishers.  Her and two of her gymnastics friends went along with their dad's.

Mckinley has been so excited for her date with dad.  They went to dinner and then to the dance.  I wanted to follow them so I could take pictures but, I wasn't allowed.

Getting Back to Normal

After a two and a half week vacation to Utah we are finally home and settled.   We have been home for over a week but, getting back into a routine takes some time and I'm finally feeling somewhat normal.   My kids were really sad to say goodbye to cousins, Utah, Grandparents that spoil them rotten, and the many great friends that we have there.   But, we have jumped right into homework, baseball (yes baseball in the winter), basketball, soccer, gymnastics, running at the Y,  and Jason's thesis.  So there has been little time for deep depression.  However, we still hold the memories of our Christmas vacation dear to our hearts.  Some highlights of the trip.....

Trip to Salt Lake to see the Christmas lights at Temple Square and see Music and The Spoken Word by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.    We had fun walking around Gateway, riding the Tracks, and eating at Macaroni Grill.

Mckay and Andrew trying to be reverent during the Spoken Word.

Beckham with his two cute cousins Emrie and Kaitlyn.   Don't let the smiles fool you-- these three are TROUBLE!!!

Christmas was celebrated with many family gatherings and parties.    We even had a surprise visit from Santa on Christmas Eve.

Beckham really didn't care for Santa!  Some things never change.

Mckinley loved all the babies!  She just told me today, that she can hardly wait to see her COCO and JJ (Mckinley's nicknames for Cohen and Jason).

Lindsay and I posing at Grandpa Howard's annual Christmas party!  

On Christmas day we drove to Colorado to spend time with my family, see some friends from Colorado, and run a trail.

We spent some of our trip at the Pintar's.  The kids had fun having a sleep over every night.   Beckham and Emrie loved sleeping together.

Every year we get together with our friends from Ohio.  It's always so good to see these girls.

On New Years Eve, we spent the day sledding with the Chapman's.   Beckham loved sledding and even went head first on uncle Doug's back.

Mckinley and Brooklyn proved to be quite the Dare Devils.  These girls could've went all day long.

Beckham was lucky to have an escort service ( Doug) to the  top of the hill.

Our last Sunday in Utah, Jamie blessed her new baby.  There's always a great photo opportunity.

Playing Checkers with Grandpa Mike is always a must.  Mckay is getting close to beating him.  Grandpa Mike and his competitive nature, won't let a nine year old beat him.

There's a few highlights of the trip.  After all the excitement and constant going our family needed some much needed rest.   Here's Beckham sleeping on the couch while watching Cars.  I thought it was a little quiet in the family room and this is why.   Oh I just love this boy!

In Beckham's defense he has been a little sick.  I took him to the Doctor today and double ear infections. As I said we are back to normal and extremely glad that we waited to get back to Indiana for sickness.  I think this is the first Utah vacation in December without a trip to the Doctors.

Thanks family and friends for the memories!