Last soccer game

Today was Penny's last soccer game.  You decided you wanted to try softball so we're hanging up our cleats and shin guards for now.  I'm really proud of how well you stuck with soccer, even though running isn't your favorite past time.  You played soccer for a whole year (Spring 2012-Spring 2013) and I'm proud you were a dedicated team player.  Go Penny and Red Runners!

Happy 8th Birthday Penny!

Your 8th birthday was quite interesting!  We had to postpone your sleepover party because Daddy was going to be on a business trip to Scotland, but we said that you and Ryan could have a private sleepover over the weekend.  And because Daddy was gone on the 16th, we took you, Pepper and Ryan out to Ginza for your bday dinner.  And although Ryan gave you LICE, yuk! during the sleepover, which made us postpone the sleepover ANOTHER week, I hope you had a great 8th birthday.  We can't believe our first born baby is already 8.  How did you grow so big?!  I hope you stay the sweet, kind-hearted girl I love so much.

Dinner at Ginza with BFFs

Popcorn and movie after dinner

US Kids Regionals: Texas Open 2013

May 8-13, 2013:  entry by special guest - Daddy

Going on our first traveling tournament was such an amazing experience.  It was a quite an honor for Penny to get invited to play golf in Austin Texas at a regional tournament.  Even though Mommy and Pepper had to stay home, we had fun having some daddy/daughter time.  We arrived in Texas and President Obama was at the airport and we saw Air Force One on the runway!  After we got our rental car, we drove an hour to the Horseshoe Bay resort where the tournament was hosted.  What a fancy place!  Next time Mommy and Pepper will definitely have to come.  The hotel was super nice and the food was so yummy.  After we settled in on the first night (May 9th), we just took it easy and enjoyed the hotel room.

The next day was the day of our practice round and after some Eggs Benedict in the morning, we played an 18 hole round of mini golf at the resort to warm up on putting.  It was probably the nicest mini golf course we have ever seen.  It even had waterfalls and lakes with real fish, parrots and turtles.  After lunch we took a shuttle to go practice at one of the three golf courses where we would play.  We were playing at the Apple Rock course which was very pretty with lots of waterfalls and tricky fairways.  We got paired up with a bunch of boys from the 7-10 year old divisions and they were very impressed with Penny's game.  We ended up shooting a 42 on the back 9.  Not bad for such a difficult course and the increased yardages.  Then we went back to the hotel and tried venturing out to the local area to find some dinner.  The back to bed early for the first day or the tourney!

The next day was the first round of the tournament (May 11).  We were pretty nervous but Penny played great.  We were in the third group of girls and were paired up with Alejandra from Mexico.  She was very nice and it was fun and competitive.  Penny did better that day and shot a first round 41.    This put her in a tie for third place going into the final round down by 3 strokes.  After the round, we went back to the hotel for some hard earned swimming at the hotel pool with three of the girls in our group Alejandra  Maye and Brielle.  What an incredible pool!  It had a waterfall and fountains.  There was even a place where we could order smoothies.  After another great dinner at the hotel, we went to Family Night for the US Kids Golf families where we played lots of games and met other people.  Penny played giant checkers and roasted marshmallows with Alejandra.  Then back to the room to rest up for the final round.

The next day (May 12) we woke up and had our usual breakfast at the hotel before taking the shuttle to Apple Rock.  Our round started out a bit rocky as Penny had some trouble on the second hole after getting an eagle on the first!  She hit her tee shot right behind a tree and had to chip out.  We double bogeyed the second hole and had some putting trouble on the third.  But she turned it around as usual and finished strong with some great short game play and a birdie on the 5th hole.  She ended up finishing tied for 2nd place with another score of 41 which was amazing considering her rocky start.  We felt bad for some of the girls we had met like Alejandra and Brielle as they didn't get any prize.  Penny however got a giant trophy!  I guess its true what they say, things are bigger in Texas!  This thing was bigger than her Player of the Year Trophy.  It was still sad not having Mommy and Pepper with us, especially since it was Mother's Day, but we did call Mommy throughout the round and sent her photos.  We were trying extra hard for you Mommy!  

After the tournament and awards, we went back to the hotel pool where we met up with Brielle again.  More smoothies for Penny!  It sure was hot.  Even Daddy got into the pool.  For dinner we decided to splurge and order room service.  Talk about big, the rack of ribs and chocolate cake were huge!  Perfect dinner for a golf champ though.  Penny devoured her dinner and I'm sure had some fantastic dreams after all the hard work.  

Our last day (May 13) in Texas was super busy.  We had to pack and check out of the hotel.  Then we met up with Brielle and her parents for a final round of mini golf. Dads vs. the Girls.  The girls ended up tying with the dads and we had a great time.  We said our goodbyes to Brielle and to Horseshoe Bay Resort and drove to our last surprise stop, the Inner Space Caverns.  Penny and I got to take a tour of one of Texas' biggest caverns and got to see real stalactites and stalagmites.  It was very cool and a perfect end to our trip.

Then we were back at the airport flying home to see Mommy and Pepper!  We couldn't wait to see them since we missed them so much.  It looked like Pepper missed her Unni too.  Were all so proud of  you Penny!