UTAH SUMMER GAMES!

We had an amazing adventure down in Cedar City for the Utah Summer Games! It was four days of watching Carter play soccer, so for me, it was fabulous! I believe it was just that for my mom and dad too! Jeremy and Alec were at scout camp in Lake Powell with the young men so my mom and dad were extra nice to come along with me...but I think they loved it just as much as me, they even "tagged" their car to get in the spirit of the games! I now understand why they loved going on the out of state tournaments with me when I was a young soccer player, which I still am, but I don't usually travel out of state anymore, I usually just travel to the backyard for a 3 v 3 tournament (Luke is usually the last picked)! The boys made it to the Bronze medal game and unfortunately lost in overtime. Every team they played were a year older than they were, which made them two years older than Carter! They still played so great and I think it was a huge success in the experience category! I think Carter's favorite part was being able to leave the motel room at 7:15 with just him and two of his buddies to eat the breakfast! He says he loved swimming, wandering the motel grounds, playing soccer in the parking lot, cedar breaks, walking in the parade at opening ceremony, and then of course his actual games! My favorite part was one night watching about five of our boys get challenged by an older boys team who was staying on the other side of our motel, to a soccer game in the middle of the parking lot. A few of us parents sat up on the balcony and just watched them make some moves on those boys and take the lead by a lot! We even heard one of the older boys say in frustration, "we're getting beat by some little kids!" We watched them play with no adult involvement, there was even a bit of a pushing match which was hard not to say anything but we kept quiet. They worked it out and kept playing. We just enjoyed the show for a while and then all of a sudden Carter and his friend Evan walked away. The game ended shortly after that but I didn't know why until he came back to the room later and said that he left because the older boys kept swearing and he was tired of hearing it. I was pretty impressed with their decision. A pick up game like that every week in the neighborhood would be heaven to him!

They were just a little bigger than Carter!

This is my cute dad, however he wasn't so cute at 3:00 am snoring like a bear!!! (I love you Dad)

I had to put my ipod in my ears and turn it up...how does my mom sleep?

We took a trip up to Cedar Breaks, who knew there was something so
beautiful in Cedar City!

Opening ceremonies started with a flag ceremony and a parade with all the athletes. It was such an awesome sight! It ended with fireworks which we were directly under! I had never been that close but it was pretty amazing! Luke stayed under the blanket the whole time!

This bee left this look on Luke's face, and he's had flashbacks ever since!

Carter was so sick during the week, he kept coughing and wiping his nose throughout his games but he was a trooper! I think this little trip brought he and I a little closer. He's such a determined little kid, and nothing brings him down. I could learn a lot from him, and I do everyday. Although my family was scattered all over, and a little sick, it was a good first week to the summer. Savvy stayed with Kim and Dan, and I think she wants them to be her mom and dad, she said she didn't even miss me for four days! I sure missed her, and Jeremy and Alec. But now we've been home for the last three days and are already bugging eachother! When does school start again? Maybe we need another vacation!!!