Kaitlynn's Spring Soccer

While Connor was enjoying his first season of baseball, Kaitlynn was enjoying another season of soccer. She has been playing through a local league and always enjoys the springtime weekend games. She was READY to get started!

First day of soccer, WOOHOO!!

This year, Kaitlynn was excited to be joined by one of her best friends, Lily. They were able to sign up on the same team and have really been enjoying the time together.

Kaitlynn and Lily ready for their first soccer game together.

Lining up at the first game.

Water break on the sidelines.

Love these two!

After Kaitlynn's second game this season, she was so excited to be handed the game medal for her perseverance during soccer that day. She was SO proud of herself and we were too.

Kaitlynn got the game medal!

Connor congratulating his sister.

Big smile for that medal.

Jeff coached one of the soccer games this season. We might be biased but we think it was their best game!

Love these girls and their smiles. This was the game when Lily won the game medal.

Towards the end of the season, Kaitlynn launched herself on a mission to get a goal. She was figuring out the game more and more and learning what it takes to score. After getting SO close all season long, she became so focused on getting a goal during her last couple of games. You could see the look of determination on her face from across the field, but despite how close she just didn't get her goal. She cried some tears of frustration as she watched a couple of her teammates score, and we felt bad that she didn't reach her goal.

But then, due to the long rainy spring season with some cancelled games, the league scheduled one final playoff game. We had to shuffle some plans but we made sure to give Kaitlynn this last chance to play. She was pumped!

Ready for her very last game.

Love that sweet smile.

Around the time that the first quarter ended, the skies got a little dark as a little shower was moving through. It started sprinkling, but soon the sprinkles turned into a full on downpour! The teams kept playing through the rain, and the rain didn't stop until near the end of the game. The kids, coaches, and spectators were all soaked! But it was awesome to see those kids continue playing without complaining. So tough!

Our favorite moment of the game without a doubt came sometime during the second quarter. One of Kaitlynn's teammates was throwing in the ball from the sideline. They were close to their goal, and Kaitlynn managed to take the ball, dribble, and SCORE!!! Oh my goodness, you would've thought Kaitlynn had scored in a World Cup match by the way Jeff and I cheered and screamed from the sidelines! Kaitlynn's face lit up as she ran to Jeff for a twisting, twirling hug and kiss. "I made a goal!" she yelled excitedly. "I made a goal!!"

But then we heard the referee's whistle. Turns out that Kaitlynn's goal didn't count due to a technicality (the player throwing in the ball actually touched the ball first before Kaitlynn kicked it in). DARN it! Kaitlynn was initially upset, but we told her that the goal still counted for us even though it didn't get the team a point. After how hard Kaitlynn worked all season to get that goal, we were so proud! And during such a rainy game, so awesome!




Hard to see but it was POURING and they were soaked through!

Soaked through but smiling and proud of her goal!

I tell ya, we were SO PROUD of her all season long. She had fun and she played hard. She formed a goal and worked every game to achieve it. She was knocked down again and again and got right back up to play. She had a great attitude and never complained even when she couldn't quite reach her goal.

After that last game, the players were honored with a little trophy and a team ceremony. Kaitlynn's coach came up to her and told her that the pouring rain had soaked through the certificates he'd prepared for some of the players, but he wanted to make sure she knew that he had named her as the "Most Improved Player" for the season. Wow, what an honor! Her efforts were noticed by all!

And now a little something for the grandparents. Here's a little 3-minute video of Kaitlynn's 2015 spring soccer highlights. Enjoy!