We jam-packed last Saturday.

Dave ran a half-marathon.

I’m so proud of him.

I don’t show my pride through dropping off water bottles for him on his runs, rubbing his back, or even showing up to watch the darn race though (I had to be the photographer for Elle’s soccer team at the same time at the opposite end of the city, gosh darn it!). But my heart pumps extra for how proud I am of him inside. He did awesome, and so did so many of our good friends. Good job, guys! (Thanks for the picture, Nichole.)

Along with taking the team pictures, I got to cheer Elle on in her last game I’ll get to see since we’ll be out of town for the finale game next week.
(Note the beautiful yellow winter grass we have here.)

Man, this girl is a soccer player! She hasn’t played since we signed her up when she was like four-years-old and cared only about how cute the outfit was. But for the last few years she’s asked if she could play. And I finally got on the ball enough to sign her up this year.

She got to play with SO many of her great friends, and she has fallen head-over-heels in love with the game. She plays goalie for a good portion of each game.

She concentrates SO hard on that ball and works her little tail off. I think I might have to brag and say she’s actually quite good at that game.

Then we all met up and Dave and Elle played in a family feud tennis tournament. Yes, right after Dave’s marathon and Elle’s soccer game.
Dave took it quite seriously.

…so did Elle.

They took third place, and let me tell you, there were some GOOD players there.

I don’t know how many people get to watch their husband and daughter play tennis together, but I have two words for it: heart melter (I know, cheesy but true).

I had to tear myself away early to go speak at the stake baptisms (although I must say I kinda like that too).

I came home to find the Dave shooting baskets in the driveway with Max (who is trying out for the Jr. High b-ball team this week…send good vibes his way!). After the marathon and a tennis tournament. I know, Dad of the Year is totally coming his way.

No pictures of that though since I had to run to one of my two Christmas photoshoots (people that had scheduled a whole year in advance before I had my big epiphany that I needed to choose to take a hiatus from the whole photography business that was taking over my life for a little while). Here’s one of my favs. from the shoot…more when I get through more of them.

We topped off the evening by taking Max and Elle out for dinner to thank them for all that they do to help out around here, because you know what? They totally deserved it. They are such good kids and sometimes they just go about their jobs and homework while the “needy” younger kids suck out so much of our attention.Love these guys.

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7 Comments

  1. So I have a question for you. I've noticed you all play tennis and would love to try it myself. However, I have a bad back. Would you recommend it? Is it hard on the back? I would also LOVE to get my kids into a sport or dance of some kind and they are COMPLETELY opposed to the idea. How did/do you motivate your kids or did you just throw em in at first and they learned to love it along the way? 🙂 Thanks!

    Misty
    mdawnphoto@gmail.com

  2. They really are such good kids Shawni! Any time I'm around Elle I catch myself thinking, "Man, I hope my girls turn out just like her some day!"

    And major props to Dave! Definitely dad of the year!

  3. WOW!!!! With a big fat capital WOW!!! My husband and I run halfs and may I just say never in a million years would I then even CONSIDER playing tennis or shooting hoops. It usually consists of a nice long nap, mexican food and a TALL margarita!!!

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