New Year...almost

Wow....it's almost 2009!!! I can hardly believe this year is already over, where did it go???

We started out the year with friends and will finish it with the same friends tomorrow night....pictures to follow

We played and watched more soccer than I can even remember.......

• Jeff and I on our outdoor co-ed team, Jeff on 2 additional teams; 1 an outdoor and 1 indoor.
• Dalton began the year on his East Valley team and finished with Neusport and Silverado High School. He also tried out for ODP (olympic development program) but hasn't received the results as of yet.
• Kiara played on a rec soccer team ~ The She Devils coached by our good friend Anthony. She is getting ready to start indoor with her uncle Matt.
• Carter began the year on HEAT 98 boys and had to endure tryouts in June. We were not surprised when he not only made his existing team but was also asked to come play for 2 other teams as well. This was his first year to have to actually go through tryouts. He did fabulous. He also tried out for ODP and made the first cut and is waiting for the results for the second.
• Payton is also playing for the HEAT club on their academy development team. He too will begin playing indoor. He cannot wait until he is old enough to try out for ODP. He wanted to this year but was to young and would be up against kids 4 years older so we decided it would be best for him to wait another year or two.

All in all we have a full schedule when it comes to the fantastic game of soccer. I wouldn't change anything for the world. I love going to the games and seeing how much they progress from year to year.

In July we were lucky enough to finally get to move back into our old house after a long gruelling court bout. The kids were elated and couldn't wait to get back to their old friends and schools. Dalton even took a leap and cut his hair off....we all miss his long golden locks. His is gone and Carter and Payton have grown theirs out.

It seems like a lot is always said about the boys....what about the girl in our family you ask??? Well what can I say about the most wonderfully, fabulous, fantastic, best daughter imaginable? She is just that FABULOUS....what would I do without her? She is writing a book and illustrating it as she goes. I love to watch her. She wanted a book about drawing for Chirstmas and when she got it, she didn't any more than open it up and was already drawing pictures of dragons for her Dad. She is truely unbelievable. I wish I was more like her. She has more talent in her little finger than I do in my whole body.

We were so excited to get to spend Christmas back in our old home and have all of our friends and family close to us. Better yet...Jeff has spent the last two weeks at home and it has be quite a treat. His job takes him away for most of the week, every week....leaves on Monday and back on Thursday (just in time for his game). Even more exciting is to begin the new year in our home.

The next big milestone will be the arrival of our new neice and cousin. Toriana is due to arrive within the next couple weeks and we can't wait until she gets here.

I hope to stay more up to date here for the next year with pictures, thoughts and all the Team Randall news.

Happy New Year everyone!!!

Snow Day

The kids got their wish...today is a snow day. Last night they were watching the news and listening to the radio in hopes it would be announced. It finally happened...Dalton's girlfriend called and told us that is was on the school district web site...but by the time we tried to check it out the site had crashed...that didn't seem to matter to them all they were concerned about was that the announcement had been made and there would be no school today. I doubt they will be so lucky tomorrow. Today is blue sky and high should be in the 40's.



Dalton's excitement was matched by his concern for the dogs!! He dried out their kennel, wrapped tarps around and over it and then lined it with towels to try to keep them dry. What a kind soul he has.



I don't think any of them slept last night. Dalton's friend Jacob spent the night and what sleep he did get was as a frozen popsicle. Carter and Payton ended up in bed with me...I guess it was a little colder than we are used to. Then there's Kiara, she left us to go read in the warmth of her bed. I don't think she took her coat off from the time she got home from school until she finally did climb into bed...hopefully she took it off at that time, maybe not.

What a fun night and so far today. They have gone to the park to "snowboard"...how funny. I should have gone with them to take pictures. They crack me up. I think we have stuck wet clothes in the dryer about 5 times now....they just like how it feels when their pants come out and they put them on warm....that doesn't sound like such a bad idea, I think I'll try it next time.

I hear them coming back....I'm sure they are all starving. Time for some hot cocoa!!

Holy cow...it's snowing in Vegas

This morning I get a text message from Dalton telling me it's snowing....so I look out the window and what do I see??? Nothing!!! Two minutes later I get a phone call from Kiara with all this screaming in the background....."Mom, it's snowing"....so I look out the window and what do I see??? Nothing!!! Hang up and Dalton calls me..."Mom, it's snowing"....again, nothing out the window.

This was taken at around 3:00....I'm not leaving my house!!! We just might get a snow day tomorrow.

To Follow or Not

Why is it that when I'm taking a shower or relaxing in the tub, I think of all the great things I want to post on here? but then when I sit and actually think about putting "ink to paper" it seems so dim compared to what I have read from my friends.....

I've been considering the family history as my friends have done and then think....what a task!! Is there really enough room on this computer for it all? Do I even remember back to the beginning, if I do...do I really want to? There is a lot back there maybe left forgotten?! Then again, it is what got me where I am today.

Sandi, I have not forgotten about my quirks.....I just have more than 6 and my list seems to lengthen with each passing day.

I think all this ~not working~ has brought out the nostalgia in me. Not to mention, facebooking. How great has it been to see all these people again and to reconnect with many of them.

So, the question I am trying to answer to myself is "to follow or not"....do I put the Team Randall history out there for all to see and read or do the old fashioned way with real ink and paper???

UGH...getting frustrated

Why can't I figure out how to change the colors on this dang thing???? I've figured out how to add pictures and am working on a slide show (thanks to Mykah) and a playlist, but cannot for the life of me get the colors to change.

Mykah, the background is great...thank you.

Tonight was game night at my house. The additional 3 are our extended family here in Vegas; Mark, Charla and Jacob. Around here they are known as Charla Mom, Mark Dad and just Jacob. We always laugh that people who don't know us probable do think we are some kind of polygamist family.

The other 4 as you may have figured out are my special rugrats. Dalton the contemplative one, Kiara showing off her cards, Carter with tokens for eyes and Payton being typical goofy Payton.

I forgot to mention the missing member of the fam....poor Jeff. He usually misses game night. His job keeps him out of town for most of the week and if we are lucky he is home by Thursday afternoon. Because he (of course) has a soccer game on Thursday nights....big surprise...I know.

Team Randall was created in 1991 with only two players. Three years later we added Dalton and then every two another was added, Kiara in 1996, Carter in 1998 and last but definately not least Payton in 2000.
At this time we have a total of 8 teams going at the same time. This equates to 8 games and 13 practices a week.
Dalton plays on 2 teams, Silverado High School JV and for Neusport, which is club ball. He loves to score so mostly plays as a right or mid forward.
Kiara plays for HUYS a recreational team. She is a solid goalie and enjoys playing center mid and defense.
Carter plays for 2 teams also, HEAT U11 gold and in the Mexican league with his HEAT team. He is in the process of trying out for ODP (olympic development program). He too likes to score and plays mostly right forward and sometimes center mid.
Payton also plays for the HEAT club as U9. I guess my boys are all eager to score, as he too plays forward. Although he will occasionally go back and play defense.
Jeff and I play on a co-ed team together and have really enjoyed it for the last 2 years...and running. Jeff also plays on a mens team with his brother.