Wednesday, December 30, 2015

First 18 Hole Tournament - Two-Day NFJG Holiday Team Shamble/Scramble!

Since we decided to play the Fall NFJG schedule, we entered into the Team Championship not really knowing what we were getting into. Yes, 18 holes, two days in a row, where AA had never played 18 holes before - ever. The weather was really warm for end of December - low 80's with sunshine! The second day threatened rain, high 70's and some sunshine - a little cooler for everyone.

The format was "Shamble" which was best ball on the first stroke/drive; then you played your own ball into the cup; then took the low score of the two girls and that was the team score. The second day had a "Scramble" for the back nine holes (best ball all balls/until into the cup - so only one score per two girls) and the shamble on the front nine holes.
Since Ford and AA had never seen the Deerwood course, they had a practice tee time on Sunday and played the 18 holes with a golf cart (she scored a 99 - not bad!). I went to Carolyn's apartment and did some packing for a few hours.
The first Tournament day was good in that AA made some great shots; using about 12 of her scores of the 18 holes (only used three of her drives, all the rest were Kylie's). Kylie has some incredible long drives for a 12 year old! AA and Kylie both had a few "oops" holes that made for a few high scores, but overall, a success!
Day/Round 1: Played with Kaitlyn S. and Sarah R.
Practicing chipping on day/round 2: Played with Hannah S. and Victoria G.
Day 2 - I broke our camera lens (again) so did not have any photos - saved these from the NFJG Facebook site:
 Shotgun start on Hole 10 (Day 2):
 Girls Team - Sarah and Kaitlyn:
Ages 9 - 18 Girls: Eight girls/four teams (there was a Junior Golf Championship going on at the WGV/Slammer and Squire course that took 5 of the regular girls away).
Final score was tied for last place with a Foundation boy team. It was two very long days (we all walked the 15,000+ plus steps each day). AA was pleased that she handled it well, finishing her first 36 hole tournament! She did have a bad putt that she was frustrated over, one of the girls wouldn't putt out of turn as her ball was in the way of AA's; the balls were very close and AA couldn't position herself to make a good shot but played it anyway. Afterwards, she told her story and worked out a solution and conversation for her to say next time (needing to ask the girl to move her marker so AA's foot could be placed properly or at least letting her Caddie know that she didn't have good footing). We live and learn each round of golf.
Round: 2
Date: Dec 29, 2015
Course: Deerwood Country Club
Time: 9:15 AM
Grouping:

Alyzabeth Morgan 92

Victoria Greene 87

Hannah Stevens 86

Kylie Turner 97
Complete information is available at Tournament Information Page (TIP)

Sunday, December 27, 2015

Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th

Christmas has passed, much fun and happiness with the family! We posted so many photos from the oyster roast and the beach walk. Next up was helping cousin Carolyn move into her new home. It has been very warm, in the low 80's for a week now! Ford and AA have played golf, including a practice round of 18 holes at Deerwood - getting ready for tomorrow's two day team NFJG tournament. We baked a ham and ate at the new Eagle Harbor restaurant "Talon's". Some relaxing along with a trip to the River House and lots of bike riding by AA. This winter has been unbelievable - being outside every day!
Now for a few Maine and Missouri Family Photos from Christmas, wish we could all be together.
Nephew Andrew, Britney and daughter Chloe!

 My mom with her Great-Granddaughter Autumn Stone:
 Family group photo at the Stone's on Christmas morning!
 The Morgan's in Missouri - Below's:

Friday, December 25, 2015

Christmas Afternoon - Family Oyster Roast - Beach Weather!

Our daughter and SIL hosted the Christmas afternoon family gathering and cooked oysters. Everyone brought a crock-pot addition and there was plenty of food! There was boiled shrimp, shrimp and grits, chicken soup, potato soup, lava chocolate dessert and our cowboy ranch beans with cornbread. The girls played between the bedrooms and the tree house.
Dylan pausing at the tree house mirror so Poppy Ford could take a picture:

Dylan and Mila in the tree house:
Oysters are ready; cooked by chef Justin:
Cara Cruce Smith:
Jordan and Justin watching the oysters steam:
Kilee, Alivia and AA relaxing:
Kilee with her new Christmas gift - a phone:
Dylan and Mila waiting to open presents:
Leaa's Christmas tree (before the gift opening chaos!):
 
Dylan's gift from Nana Ann of the North:
Opening gifts from G'ma Cathy and Werner (girls got cowboy boots; AA got body pads to wear while skate boarding):
Beach walk!
Taking off shoes; ready for the sand between our toes - a balmy 82 degrees!
Werner with Grand-Kilee:
Travis and Cara enjoying the warm weather (they currently live in Connecticut):
Cathy using her new selfie stick - taking lots of group photos:
Looking at the photos:
The younger set: Dylan, Mila, Kilee holding Avery, Alivia and Alyzabeth:
Livi does cartwheels and gymnastic-type moves on the beach (we tried to copy her, including my lame cartwheel attempt!).
A great day to be thankful for!

Getting Close to Christmas (and Christmas Morning)!

AA had a golf lesson on the 23rd and learned a new way to practice chipping form a bunker (sand trap): using full size marshmallows! Worked great!

She is to draw a "dollar bill" around the marshmallow so to know where to hit the sand.
December 23rd:  I visited with Carolyn at her new home - she bought it on the 23rd then removed old carpeting before moving day this Saturday. It has a really neat HUGE pool in the back yard, a two-car garage, plus a large car port. It needs considerable work (new kitchen, new floors, reconfigure the laundry room into a bathroom or add a new master bathroom)...... All in good time!
Fayah seemed to like the new yard!
December 24th: AA and I made sugar cookies (I made the dough while she was golfing); cutting them out, baking and decorating all got done late afternoon.
I made vanilla extract again this year, plus my homemade hot fudge sauce and AA made handmade corner page book markers to give out.
Stocking hung by the fireplace!
 Book-marker making:
 Owls:
Christmas Eve, Carolyn arrived and we had a quick Mexican dinner (tacos) from Tijuana Flats; walked to the 7:00 p.m. OPUMC church service for Carols and Candlelight. 
In the morning, about 5:15 a.m., Carolyn and AA were wide awake and ready to start Christmas Day!
Opening our stockings and presents, having breakfast casserole and enjoying a few hours with Carolyn before she left to continue her preparations for moving on the 26th.
Lots of gifts: Santa gave her the WiiU and a skateboard; Nana sent her a fire pit popcorn popper and much more. We opened lots of great gifts!
Tons of gifts!
 Setting up her new WiiU to play:
Christmas afternoon was spent with our kids families; such a beautiful day, just have to enjoy the outdoors! Merry Christmas!