Saturday, December 25, 2010

That was then, this is now, a little game.

Can you match who is who from 1969 to 2010?
Write your answers in the comment section. The comment section does get kind of glitchy but keep trying, I really want to see your answers.

Something I have been doing for the past two years is converting my in-law photos from slides to digital.
It has been fun seeing my husband growing up and the changes that everyone has made.

Go back forty one years to 1969 and it is Christmas Eve at Jeanne and Buddy Bryants home, my husbands aunt and uncle. The traditional family photo.

From Each Day....
Jump forwatd to Christmas Eve 2010 at Susan and Mike's home.  I thought it would be fun to take a photo of the original Willis girls and thier children. There are four people not in this picture that were in the orginal photo. Daddy Earl, Uncle Buddy and Granny Willis have all passed away. Barbara was not able to make it (we missed you Barbara)

From Each Day....
Merry Chirstmas!

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Girls Wrestle Too!

Last weekend was the first Federation match of the season. I don't know if you have ever been to a wrestling match but they are pretty intense. Federation matches are set up so that there are about 10 matches going on at the same time. A lot is going on at the same time and you have to pay attention to your number so that when it is on the tree you are prepared.

Jeremy is Sam's coach and he is just amazing with these kids. The whole coaching staff is pretty incredible actually and they are the main reason we "pushed" the kids towards wrestling. Although all it took was "guys do you want to wrestle?" They make it easy to encourage and support the sport. They are the kind of coaches that you want as role models for your kids.
From Each Day....

From Each Day....

From Each Day....

From Each Day....

Sam did get schooled on two of his three matches that day. It keeps him from his head getting too big and reminds him that he need to keep improving. Last year was pretty easy for him, only losing 1 or 2 matches so this woke him up and made him realize he is going to have a tougher year.

My daughter Sophia started conditioning with the team last year and officially joined federation and the middle school wrestling team this year. This was to be her first Federation match and I am not sure who was more nervous, her or me.

Here her number is on the tree and she is getting ready.
From Each Day....

Checking in before her match.
From Each Day....

Victim number one....
From Each Day....
Meanwhile I am screaming my fool head off trying to remember to take pictures.
From Each Day....

There is something reassuring about seeing your 12 year old daughter take down a boy...And she PINNED him...oh ya!
The girl in the background is one of her coaches who is also the daughter of Jeremy. She is one heck of a wrestler.
From Each Day....

Her next match she lost 13-10.  This surprised me because the two guys she pinned, pinned this guy. I think he kind of "freaked her out" in a 12 year old kind of way. His dad said that he was nervous and said it was OK if she beat him.
From Each Day....

From Each Day....

From Each Day....

While she was finishing up Sam was getting ready to get back on the mat so I had to dash to the other side of the gym....
From Each Day....

And he pinned him!
From Each Day....

Sophia's last match and I have no voice left from cheering her and Sam on. And forget about Bob's he lost his at the middle school match earlier in the week.
From Each Day....

From Each Day....

She did comment on how "gross it was because her face was in his armpit".
I mean, she is still a girl!
From Each Day....
And she PINS him. YOU GO GIRL!
From Each Day....

Trying to contain her excitement.
From Each Day....
There it is.
From Each Day....

Friday, December 17, 2010

The attempt at a Christmas card picture....

I am a photographer.
I take pictures of other people's kids. It is what I do.
So tell me, why is it so difficult to get a photo of my own 3 children. Yes, I do take pictures of them all the time. Playing sport, being goofballs, playing in the yard etc. but never are they all clean and dressed for a "family picture" at the same time.

Thursday was a snow day which meant there was no school and no wrestling after school, I had an opportunity to get them on film. I completely gave up on trying to get them outside and it was just too cold to do it now.  I went ahead and set up the backdrop and the lighting all the while thinking how much fun it was going to be. I was really excited to finally have remembered to do this. It was all really short lived. The rolling of the eyes. Do I have to wear this shirt. BLAH  BLAH BLAH Can you hear the whining and complaining? The cat and dog where not cooperating either. They didn't even make it into the Christmas card.
From Each Day....

OK, even the dog has her eyes closed. Cannot use this one.
From Each Day....

If I hold the cat tight enough, he won't go anywhere. Nope, cannot use this one either.
From Each Day....

Mom,can we please be done? This shirt itches. I am tired. My eyes hurt...
From Each Day....
"If I take 1 more picture can I play my DS?"
MMMMM...NO. Get on the stool. Pose, we are having fun. SMILE!
From Each Day....

You are kind of cute you know?
MOOOOOOMMMMMMMM! Stop it!
From Each Day....

I am going take your picture. CLICK, CLICK, CLICK,
Carter, stop. Your making this take longer than it needs to. Sit still.
From Each Day....

Okay. Fine. How is this?
From Each Day....

Carter. Seriously look at the light.
From Each Day....

The Christmas card is off to the printer and I may actually get them in the mail before the New Year, but that just might be crazy talk.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Culpeper Middle School Wrestling

Culpeper Middle school had their fist match of the season last night against Caroline and they pretty much rock and rolled. Beating them with a whopping 85 to 16. Woohoo, way to go cougars.

The "huddle" to get things going. Sam was so nervous I thought he was going to throw up. I think I was just as nervous for him and considered throwing up myself, thank you very much.
From Each Day....
Ty started things off. His smile cracks me up.....playing a little game of cat and mouse.
From Each Day....
Here is my Sam, the one in the back. He got his pin. I was so excited for him. I think he was just relieved that it was over.
From Each Day....
Jax, he is the coaches son and so flipping cute cheering  every one on.
From Each Day....
Madison wrestling her first match ever. She lost her match but never let him pin her.
From Each Day....


From Each Day....

Sammy again, the pictures got a little out of order....oops.
From Each Day....


From Each Day....

From Each Day....

From Each Day....

Eric makes this look very easy. I have a dozen photos of him doing this same move.
From Each Day....

Come on ref....is he pinned yet?
From Each Day....

From Each Day....


From Each Day....


From Each Day....


From Each Day....


From Each Day....


From Each Day....


From Each Day....


From Each Day....


From Each Day....


From Each Day....


From Each Day....


From Each Day....


From Each Day....

From Each Day....

From Each Day....
From Each Day....

From Each Day....



From Each Day....

From Each Day....