Airport Run

On our way to Indiana for Christmas we had to make a connection in Houston with only a 22 minute layover. We were excited when our flight landed 18 minutes early, unfortunatley, we ended up sitting on the runway for awhile. When we finally got off the plane we only had 10 minutes to go from the furthest gate in terminal C to terminal B. Ryan and Kayla took off and left Anna and I behind with 2 huge carry on bags and a guitar. Their thought was to get to the gate and see if they could hold the plane. Anna and I must have looked ridiculous running through the airport with all that stuff and we almost took out a little old couple on the moving escalator. We made a wrong turn and accidentally took the tram to terminal A instead of terminal B. When we finally arrived at our gate, 10 mintues after Ryan and Kayla, we found out that our flight was delayed and we didn't start boarding for another 20 mintues. It was quite a night but we were just very thankful that we didn't have to spend the night in Houston.

What's That Number Again?

The other night Kayla said she was going to call the police. Then she looked at me and said, "What's that number again? 411 or 911?" She said that she knew the fire department was 911 but she didn't know if the police had the same number. Seriously Kayla?!

The Big L

I hate losing! Especially when you played better than the other team, the goal your daughter scored (it was fantastic) is called off sides (it wasn't) you go into double over time and then lose in PKs. UGH! UGH! UGH! It's going to be a rough season!

Week 3- Holiday Traditions

Here are a few of our holiday traditions.

1. Christmas Shirts
Every year we fly to Indiana on Christmas day to visit Ryan's family. We also wear our matching Christmas shirts.



2. Trimming the Tree
When I was little my sister and I used to fight about who got to put the angel on top of the tree. My mom came up with the brilliant idea that in odd years (I was born on an odd day) I could put the angel on the tree and in even years (my sister was born on an even day) she could. We do this with our girls now.



3. Gift Wrapping
As a way to raise money for our soccer team we do gift wrapping at Barnes and Noble. It's great because Barnes and Noble provides all the supplies and we get to keep 100% of the donations. We've been doing this for years.



4. Christmas in Indiana
We spend our Christmas in Indiana with Ryan's family.

Anna's Art Work

Here are a few of Anna's recent drawings.




(This is her friend Elizabeth...aka Betty)

Playing in the Rain

The weather has been horrible here the past 2 weeks! Cold and rainy...did I mention cold. Truthfully, it's kinda ticking me off a little. We live in AZ because of the winters and the past few weeks it hasn't been any better than Indiana or Tennessee. The girls have had soccer tournaments so every stinkin' night we have been sitting out in that nasty cold with blankets and jackets and fuzzy socks. UGH! (I wanna wear my flip flops!) Last night was just ridiculous. It was pouring down rain all day and they still played. The JV game was cut short by 9 min. but still considered a full game. They started the varsity game early but had to stop with 26 min. left in the first half because it was getting dangerous. They will have to replay that game. The poor girls and the parents were soaked to the bone! I however, was safely snuggled away in the snack bar with my portable heater and a great view of the field. Working the snack bar does have it's advantages. On nights like last night I almost wish my girls played an indoor sport like basketball or volleyball.

Week 2-Decorations

Last year, I admit, I was a bit of a scrooge when it came time to decorating for Christmas. (We didn't even put up a tree.) So...this year I tried to make up for it. I put up not one, but 2 trees, and with Kayla's help, managed to spread a little Christmas cheer throughout the house.








The outside of the house, which I consider Ryan's domain, did not get decorated. Ryan has been out of town so much that there just hasn't been time. Now I just have to decide when I am taking all that stuff down. Before we leave for Indiana on the 25th or wait until we get back in January. Putting stuff away is the worst part!

Week 1-Christmas List (real or fake)

Fake List
Fake meaning I know there is no chance of getting anything on this list.
1. A cruise around the world
2. Red Jeep or VW Van (red of course)
3. A vacation house on the beach somewhere
4. A kitchen/bathroom remodel
5. new hot tub
6. Big 'Ole Diamond ring
7. Suns Season tickets (floor seats)
8. European Vaca
9. A Maid
10. A personal chef


Real List
Real meaning it's in the realm of possibility.
1. skinny markers
2. Journal
3. TOMS
4. pajama bottoms
5. books
6. pedicure
7. tickets to USA Men's soccer game
8. fuzzy socks
9. massage
10. lotion

(These lists sound a lot like last year's list!...)

Christmas Blog Challenge

It is time for my 2nd annual Christmas blog challenge. This year there are 4 weekly categories instead of 12 days.



Stay tuned to see my challenge answers!

Hat Trick

Anna has a new nickname...Hat trick Anna. That's because she got a hat trick in both of her last 2 games. A hat trick is when a players scores 3 goals in a game. On Friday she got a Norwegian hat trick which means you get 3 consecutive goals in one half.

The girls won the last game of the PV tournament 3-0 on Friday and took 3rd place. A much better finish then last year's 5th place. The O'Connor tournament is this week and the girls won their first game 3-0. Since this tournament is our home tournament the girls are required to work at the games. Last night Kayla was the announcer. It was a riot! Don't ever give that girl a mic b/c you won't get her off. Parents have to help too and lucky me, I was in charge of the snack bar. The girls didn't play until 8:00 and I felt so bad for them bc it was absolutely freezing! And they were exhausted because they had been at school since 7:30am....but they had a great time! There are only 4 more days of this. I think we are going to sleep all weekend.

AZ Repbulic

In the paper today (online version) they listed several of the local high schools and their stats. For O'Connor they listed Anna as a key player! They also listed her friend Andrea, unfortunately they got her name wrong. That stinks but very exciting for the girls especially since they are only 10th graders. I cut and pasted the article below.

Sandra Day O'Connor Eagles
Division: Division I, Section I.
Coach: Rick Kelsey.
Years coached: 10.
Last season's finish: Reached the Class 5A Division II tournament.
Returning starters: 4.
Key players: Anna Goebel, So., MF/F; Amanda Ortiz, So., MF.
Key newcomers: Elizabeth Philpot, Sr., MF/F.
Coach's comment: Our schedule is very difficult and we are a very young team. We only have five upperclassmen with just one a consistent starter. I am looking for my team to compete every game and make sure that regardless of the final score, our opponent has had to earn their result.
Tournaments: Phoenix Paradise Valley and O'Connor.

(for those non soccer people I will translate... MF/F (she plays midfield/Forward)

Tournament Update:
The girls won their 3rd game 3-0 with goals by Maeve, Vicky and Anna. They play for 3rd place tomorrow night.