Spring Break

Well, it's hard to believe that Spring Break was actually 2 WEEKS AGO!!! I need to get better about keeping up with my blog, but the busier we get and the more I have to share...well, the busier I am and the less time I have to sit and get it documented!!!!

But, our Spring Break was WONDERFUL !!!!!  We took our first family ski trip. We only went to Sunrise, just under 3 hours away, but it was a great first ski trip for our family.

We got to Show Low at about 5pm on Sunday night and had dinner in town before heading up the hill to the resort. We decided to stay at the resort because it is only about 1 mile from the ski slopes. Anywhere else is about a 20-30 minute drive. The rooms were old, tiny and worn down. But we still had a great time. We swam a little in the indoor pool before heading to bed.

Our first day of skiing started out cloudy and chilly, but it was still great. By afternoon, the clouds were gone and the sun was shining!!! The kids, and us, were loving all the runs!!! The kids just AMAZE me with their skiing!!! They are so so good! And, I must say, I was doing pretty darn good!!! I never fell and I was really getting fast!!! It was great!!!

After the first day, we just hung out at the resort. We swam for awhile, then gave the kids showers before heading to eat at the resturant at the resort. When we got back to the room we were all so exhausted that we just fell asleep.

Day 2 was AMAZING...EXHILERATING!!! Blue skies all day, great runs, perfect snow!!! We skiied 3 Black Diamonds. The kids were amazing. They went down every slope like it was a bunny slope. I did good. I got down every slope without falling and I don't think I looked too bad!!!!

After skiing this day, we drove about 20 miles to HonDah Casino to eat at their resturant.  When we got back, we took the kids swimming again before heading back to the room!!!

We left the next morning, stopping at Nonnie's on the way!! It was a great trip!!! Great Memories!!! I love my Family!!!!

OUR SOCCER MARATHON!!!!

SO, Needless to say, things have been pretty busy in the Marquez household over the past 3 weeks. Ironically, the busier we are, the more I have to write about, but the less time I have to sit and actually do the writing!!! But I love my crazy, busy, insanely-sane life!!!

WE HAVE HAD A WHIRLWIND OF SOCCER OVER THE PAST FOUR WEEKS!!!

HERE IS THE RECAP:

FEBRUARY 13TH 2 Open League Games Vs AZ Hammers and Cisco Black

We drove down to Phoenix Saturday morning for some beautiful weather and some soccer. Can't say it was the best the team has played, or the best they CAN play. They were all a little slow starting, but this is the first time they have played a game in over a month, and we have only been practicing indoors due to all the snow in Flagstaff....so we saw them struggle a bit. Samone wasn't happy with her playing after the first game. She can be hard on herself. But she also knows when she is and is not playing her best. She went out there for the second game and really shined !!!

FEBRUARY 20-21 GILBERT ARSENAL TOURNAMENT

So, this was a wet, cold, cloudy, MUDDY tournament....AND one I think I will never forget. I really think this was really a huge turning point for Samone. This weekend, at this tournament, I watched my daugter go from a girl who plays soccer to a SOCCER PLAYER!!!! The first game the girls played in this tournament will probably go down in history as our hardest, most disappointing loss ever!! To start off with, they played the first half of the game in the rain!!! UGH!! And the team just looked awful on the field. They looked like a group of girls who had never played soccer before!!! It was that bad. Even Samone, she just looked lost on the field half the time. She was losing the ball to girls who were NOT as good of players as her. They are a great team but they did not look like it. It was a very somber atmosphere. All the parents were just taken aback at what happened on the field.

After that game, we left to go check into our hotel. Samone was very upset, but because she knew how poorly she played. We got to the hotel and I made some lunch. Then she layed in bed resting while she and I talked. Then she took a shower and off we went to the second game.....

AND THAT IS WHEN IT HAPPENED!! Samone played strong, hard and 110%!!! She was amazing!!! It was a close game. We didn't win, but it was close. And, Samone played AWESOME!! That is all we ever tell her, "Play your best, that is all we want to see-youout there playing your best!!" She was a different kid after this game. She was happy and bubbly and GLOWING!!! She KNEW She played her best!!!

On the way to the hotel, we told her: You can either play your best and feel like this after every game, or you can play half-heartedly and feel like you did after that last game. At that moment, I think she realized she never wanted to feel like she did after that first game again!!!

The next day, for the final game, they played against Cisco Black. Now we had just played Cisco last weekend in an open league game and lost 6-2. So this was a big game for us. The thing that really added some excitement to this game was that half the field was in MUD!!! At first ALL the girls weren't sure how to play in it, kinda tapping the ball and trying to avoid the mud...BUT THEM, Samone was tripped and fell right in the mud....from that moment on she was on fire!!!! It was a GREAT game to watch and we ended up winning 2-1 !!! It took awhile, but they finally got warmed up!!!!

FEBRUARY 27-28 BLACKHAWK INVITATIONAL

Well, this was a pretty special weekend for several reasons. First of all, Kendall and Adrien stayed in Winslow with Nonnie and Papa. We have never gone to a tournament, or really anywhere, without them. We pretty much go everywhere and do everything together as a family. We are not the parents that leave their kids with other people while they go do their own thing.  We just like being together.  But, I have to admit, it was a nice treat for David and I to get to spend some time alone with Samone. We left Friday afternoon, checked into our hotel and went to dinner at STAX! It was a lovely, relaxing dinner! We went back to the hotel and went to the pool for a bit before we had to get Samone in bed!!!  I know Samone really enjoyed the extra attention!!!!

We havent' been having much luck this half of the soccer season with weather!! It was another chilly, cloudy day with the possibility of rain looming over us all day long!!! But, at least for Saturday, the rain held out and it was actually quite nice!!

The first game was our toughest one of the tournament...against the #3 ranked Blackhawks!!! HOLY MOLY...What an AMAZING game!!! The ENTIRE team was ON FIRE!!!! Samone was dynamite....she didn;t score, but had lots of great shots that JUST BARELY missed!!! The Blackhawks ended up beating us in the last few minutes of the game, 1-0, but unfortunately their goal was accidentally knocked into the goal by one of our players. Poor thing, she was so upset!! But it happens...and a tie or a win would have been AMAZING, but to lose on 1-0 and to watch the team play so so so good - it didn't even feel like a loss!!!!

Our next game was against CCV Red, and just another UNBELIEVALBE game!!! The shots that they were making!!! Samone scored 4 points that game....all amazing!!! She was just a soccer-star!!!  And the whole team just played phenomenally!!! It was such a great day.

So, we headed back to the hotel, got some dinner and hung out at the pool with some fellow players!!! Headed in for bed AND WOKE UP TO POURING RAIN!!!  We found out at 9am that the rest of the tournament was CANCELLED!!!  Super duper bummer!!!!!

So, we would have liked to have played our last game cuz I really think we could have won!!!! But, we went and had breakfast with some other players and families, then checked out and headed to Happy Valley to do a little shopping and eat some lunch before heading home!!!!

It was great to see Kendall and Adrien again!! It was a really great tournament!!!

MARCH 6 OPEN LEAGUE VS BLACKHAWKS

Our last Open League Game!!! AHH!! So, Samone and I went down for this one and left Dad and the kiddos behind. We were down three players...and two of them were strong players. And the Blackhawks had 14 players there!!! OH NO!!! This is the team that beat us last week 1-0, and that 1 being a goal one of our own players accidentally scored for them!!!! So we thought we had no chance!!!!  But, once again, AMAZING game!!  Oh, Samone was even better than ever. Control, thinking about her plays and passes, communicating, getting the ball past those defenders EVERY time!!!  I was so proud!!!

So, once again, we lost 1-0, but they only scored in the last few minutes of the game!!! And that is amazing considering we only had one sub!!!!

So, now we have a 2 1/2 week break before heading to Vegas!!!!! Go Flagstaff United 2000!!!

OUR NEW PETS!!!!!

So, the kids have been asking us lately why we don't have any pets. I tell them we are too busy and just gone too much and it wouldn't be fair to the pets. Truth be told, neither David nor myself are really animal-lovers.  Oh, and we are gone too much.

So, one morning we wake up and I open the kitchen blind and what do we see???  Only about 15-20 DEER!! And I am NOT exaggerating one bit. They heard us, saw us, but didn't do much else. After I came home from taking the kids to school, there they were, just walking along the road.....

And, two weeks later, they are still hanging out. I must say, just one of the MANY perks to living in the beautiful forests of Flagstaff, Arizona; to have deer crossing your street and lounging in your backyard!!

I LOVE FLAGSTAFF!!!!!!!

Adrien's Gymnastics Birthday Party!!

WELL...... Adrien's party was actually A WEEK AGO!!!  I know, I'm falling a little behind. But it has been a busy week and I guess "Better Late Than Never!!!" huh? That should actually be the name of my blog "Better Late Than Never"!!!  That would definately describe our family lately!!

So, anyhow, the party was a BLAST!!!! We had it at Summit Gymnastics Center...same place we had Kendall's party.  In attendance were Friends: Alex & Lauren Tobin, Cade & Anya Craft; Cousins: Maddi & George Smith, Evan, Rya & Kira Marquez and Family: Nonnie, Grandma Carmen, Grandpa Russ, Auntie Jenny and Uncle Derrek, Auntie Mardi and Billie!!

Another Birthday!! Happy Birthday DAVID!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY WONDERFUL HUSBAND!!!!


So, David's celebrated his 39th birthday this past Friday!!!!

Two birthdays within 3 days of each other keep our family busy about this time of year!! But it is so worth it.

David's birthday was on a Friday, February 5th.  Since the kids only had a 1/2 day of school anyhow, we decided to play hookie AGAIN and take the family skiing for Dad's Birthday!!!  It was another WONDERFUL day of skiing!! The kids are all such amazing little skiers. This trip to Snowbowl, the kids (and David) wanted to spend most of their time in the ski and snowboard park hitting all the jumps!!! They are a crazy bunch, I tell ya!! 

HERE IS KENDALL HITTING A JUMP!!
GO KENDALL !!!

NOW IT'S ADRIEN'S TURN!!
HE WAS HITTING THE JUMPS ALL DAY LONG!!!
TRYING TO GIVE ME A HEARTATTACK!!!!

GO SAMONE!!!!  SHE WAS HITTING SOME HARD JUMPS!!!!

NOW IT'S DAD'S TURN...
HE CAN'T BE OUTDONE BY HIS KIDS!!
HE'S THE CRAZIEST ONE OF THEM ALL !!

After a full day of skiing, we had a quick cup of hot cocoa in the lodge before heading to Outback for a yummy dinner.  Dinner at a resturant two nights in one week sure is a big treat for us!!!!! So we were really enjoying it!!!

Happy Birthday to my WONDERFUL husband!!! I was blessed the day the Lord brought you into my life...We have had our ups and we have had our downs and we have come out on top and stronger than ever. I love you. I could not imagine my life with out you!!! I look forward to spending many, many, many, many MANY more birthdays together!!!!

Happy Birthday Adrien!!!

I can't believe it!! I really just can NOT believe it!!

My BABY BOY is 5 Years Old!! I am still trying to figure out how that happened!!!

Kenny Chesney sure had it right, "Don't Blink!!"

Gosh!!! This one has been a little tough for me. I have always had another little one in tow...but not anymore!! My kids are all growing up so fast....too fast. That is a lot of the reason I started this blog. I just want to have a journal, a record, of our life so I can always have it to look back on as they continue to grow older!!!  I have realized, and accepted the fact that I can not slow down time, but I can slow down US, our family, and really appreciate and enjoy every moment we have together!!

So, Adrien is 5!!!! WOW! We had a wonderful day together. He woke up to the kitchen all decorated and his gifts on the kitchen table waiting for him (this is a birthday tradition in our house). He was SO excited to see a Remote Controlled Jeep, a training bat, a floor puzzle and a box of 5 Hot Wheels!!

Then we made a yummy breakfast of pancakes, sliced strawberries and freshly-made whipped cream!! YUM!!

Then, after taking the girls to school and after Dad headed back to bed (he got home from work at 4am!!) Adrien and I spent a wonderful, cozy morning together. We put together and played with his Hot Wheel Tracks he got from his party, we put together and took apart and put together his floor puzzle about 5 times, we read some books, we cuddled and watched Max and Ruby!! It just made me realize even more how much I am going to miss this time once he is in school !!!!

Once Dad got up, we all got showered and dressed and headed to Adrien's FAVORITE resturant....Del Taco!!! It's not necessary his favorite for the food....he just thinks their little slide area is the coolest thing ever!!!  So, he kinda ate a few bites of his soft taco, but mostly he made me take pictures of him and his Hot Wheel Cars sliding down the slide!!!

After lunch, we went to another favorite spot of Adrien's, Northland MotorSports!! We walked around and let him sit on all the motorcycles he wants!! Then, we headed home where he and Dad played with his Remote Controlled Jeep in the cul-de-sac!!!

Once the girls got home from school and we all got freshened up, we headed off for Adrien's Birthday Dinner at Sakura!!!  It was a wonderful evening. The kids were so good, and doing things like this really has gotten easier as they have gotten older. 

Adrien was motionless and speechless as the chef cooked for us. I think he was just in awe of the whole experience. Last time we were here he was too little to really remember what happens. Our chef was great we all had a wonderful time!!!

They all three even ate their entire meal with chopsticks!!! It sure got messy, but it was fun!!

After dinner, we headed to Knoles to sign Kendall and Adrien up for Little League. They can't wait to start T-Ball and Softball... (though Adrien got really upset when he heard he would have to hit the ball off of a Tee!! We;ll see how that goes...)

Then, our final destination, HOME, where we sang "Happy Birthday" to Adrien,,,,again....had some cake and ice cream before officially ending this wonderful, yet bittersweet, day!!!!!

My Dear Sweet Little Boy,

You are growing up before my eyes.  The past five years with you have been a blessing and a gift.  You make me smile, you make me laugh, you even  make me crazy-frustrated sometimes, too.  But you really are about the sweetest little thing ever. I love how you are ALL BOY, but how you want to hug and cuddle with me and tell me about 100 times a day that you love me!!  And not just me, but Dad and the girls, too. I am so thankful and greatful that you came into our lives.  You really are the icing on our cake!!!

I love you so much! I love watching you grow up and become this little person with thoughts, ideas, a personality all your own!! The past five years with you have been a joy and I look forward to the next 5, 10, 50 years of being your mother and watching you grow up. Never forget or doubt how much I love you. And always know that I will always be here for you!!

Love, Mom

Kendall and Adrien at Gymnastics!!!!!