On the Road Again

     It seems like we are ALWAYS going on a road trip...because we ARE!! We are always planning some sort of vacation and heading out of town. Yes, we are crazy but the road trip we planned for Thanksgiving was fun! We started our trip in Eager to see Wes and Amanda (and family). They are so awesome and we always enjoy our time with them! The kids had a slumber party in the front room and played lots of games. The fan favorites were "Duck, Duck, DUCK, Goose" (you had to say it 3x), cat hunting, and the Wii. Mollie lost her front tooth and as adults we stayed up late talking (although not as late as usual because there were 2 pregnant ladies who couldn't keep their eyes open!)

Cousins playing Wii

Baby Belly Time!! Look at the difference! Wow, I'm huge compared to her! Amanda is only 3-4 weeks behind me :)

Mollie's lost tooth :)

      After leaving Eager, we headed down to the Valley. We met up with more cousins and had another slumber party!! All the girls slept over at Grandma Whitings (a tradition) while the adults went out to dinner. It was a blast! Forgot to take a picture of the adult group...maybe next time!

      After our 2 days full of cousins (and driving) we went to the Webers for the Whiting family Thanksgiving Dinner! It was nice to sit and enjoy each others company, all while stuffing our faces :) Since our family won't be coming back down again for Christmas this year, Grandpa Whiting took the time to do his usual tradition of giving money to the grandkids. Each grandchild gets a dollar for each year of their age. The girls were happy they didn't miss out on that one! After dinner with the Whiting family, we drove to Aunt Susan's house to see Grandma and Papa Dare. They drove down for the day from Bagdad to celebrate the holiday so we could see them! Unfortunately, we couldn't stay too long because we were headed to VEGAS!! Yes, Vegas for Thanksgiving!

The girl cousins with Grandma (missing Maddi)

      Vegas is something we have NEVER done for a holiday before, but this year Carli was invited to play at a soccer tournament as a guest player for the Vail, CO Elite Team. We left the decision up to her and she wanted to do it! It was actually a ton of fun! We went to M&M World, where the girls got to meet the "green M&M" and see all 4 stories full of anything M&M you can imagine! They loved it!!

The wall of M&M's...it was amazing, even for an adult!!

The M&M car. Its their favorite race car in NASCAR :)

      We made another long stop at the Coke Store. We bought what is called the "Around the World" where you get 2 trays full of different flavors of Coke from around the world. It was TOTALLY worth the $7 just to see their faces!! Each of us liked a different flavor, but overall, most of them were disgusting!! So worth a visit :)

16 different flavors of Coke

Kind of nervous for you to try that one...

Check out those faces! So gross!!

I thought Carli was going to spit out this one from Italy!

"Not sure if I can try another one!"

Mollie liked most of them...must not have very good taste buds :)

(picture courtesy of Carli)

      The "real" reason we came to Vegas: SOCCER!! Carli played a total of 4 games and did fantastic! The first game she was a little intimidated and seemed a little hesitant, but once it was over, the rest of the games she came out on fire!! Carli is such an amazing little ball player; tough, persistent, "scrappy" (as the other parents refer to her), smooth, and fast! I love watching her play!! She rose to the occasion of playing such talented teams and played the best we've ever seen her play...EVER!! The Vail team asked when they could sign her on to play with them permanently :) It was a great experience! So glad she had the opportunity to do it!
     Game 1:

She had nothing but solid passes to her team mates, even though she was hesitant

      Game 2: Under the lights for the first time!!

More solid passes and quick feet

A little blurry but nobody could seem to keep up with her!

Love this shot! She isn't scared of anybody's size...she'll just come in to steal that ball no matter what!

      Game 3:

These girls were BIG! Look at the size difference!

Right through her legs to keep it going!

The spectators! They found this pink goal stand and used it as a perfect seat :) 

      Game 4:

The Vail Elite Team waiting for their field time

One intense little player

After the tournament

The GJ Invites: Carli, Addison, and Mia