Layne XC at Lakeside High School

Another Cross Country race is getting started.  Truthfully watching our grandkids participate in sports is a highlight for us.  Getting ready to start and

off they go!

The hill was a topic of conversation.  They girls had to climb this 3 times.  Layne is toward the bottom of hill. 

Interesting person on the right in the trees.  

She made it!  

The finish and Lucy is there to cheer Layne on!  

Layne is headed to the finish line.  What perseverance it takes to be a cross country runner.  It's hard. 

Layne came in 3rd. She was 15 seconds behind the number one runner and 3 second behind the number two runner.  Way to go Layne!  

Layne and Lucy always hang around the finish to cheer on the Deer Park girls as the finish.  Good sportsmanship.  Layne and Lucy you are the best!  

The end!

 

Lucy the Pitcher!

This started out as perfect weather for softball.  Nice fall day and Lucy up to bat! 

Lucy got one big hit and walked 3 times in this game.  

Lucy has taken up pitching.   She does a great job.  Personally, I think pitching is a difficult position because I am not sure I could handle the stress of it.  Not Lucy!  She is a champ!!

Lucy pitched a great game.  It was a close game for sure. There is a funny story about this game or about us as spectators.  That will come later.  Here last two innings were spectacular. 

Grandma I think you need a close up picture of me.  Yes, Layne I do!

Up to bat again.  

Lucy is an aggressive baserunner!  

The game started as a perfect day for softball.  It turned into is it almost over? Is there a time limit?  What inning is it?  So cold.  I had a down coat on and I was still cold.  Two of Lucy's cheering squad moved to watch from their cars.  Nothing better though than playing under the lights. Things got exciting. Lucy's cheering section figured out the score.  We were up by one run.  Lucy was pitching and she just had to hold them and the game would be over.  Top of the 7th. I can't remember everything that happened but am pretty sure runners were on.  Come on Lucy you can do it!  Tension was building and finally a strike out for the 3rd out!  We all jumped up and down and cheered! Good job Lucy you did it.  Great job Deer Park!  And guess what we get to go home and warm up.  THEN...the Deer Park team goes out on the field.  What!! We all looked at each other and realized it was the 6th inning not the 7th inning.  We had our end of the game celebration an inning too soon.  Here we go again!  The good thing was that Deer Park scored another run so up by 2!  Now, Colville got up and it really was the top of the 7th.  You can do it Lucy! Hold them Deer Park.  Lucy struck out 2 batters and a ground ball was hit to her and she threw the girl out at first.  Game over and another celebrations. It was a fun game to watch.  The team has improved so much!  

Post game meeting!  The coach had the girls all yell, "Thanks for coming!" to the spectators.  Nice!

I got in my car and turned the heater on as high as it would go.  It was worth the chill!  Would do it again and probably will.  Love you Lucy!  

 

Layne Richland Invitational

Ready, set, go!  Headed to Richland for an invitational cross country meet!

I could just kick myself for not bringing my camera with the extra lenses.  I had no idea how big this would be.  Cell phone pictures will have to do.  

The Deer Park girls are circled and getting ready to race! Wish I would have had my big lens!  These would have been close ups. 

Now the Deer Park team is underlined. Huddling before the start. 

Lined up waiting for the gun!

Off they go!

Layne is in the yellow jersey!  This was a neat race because we could see how Layne was going most of the time.  The race was a couple of huge laps around two of the fields at the high school.  Of course we had to jog here and there to get to her as she ran. 

The hill.  She climbed this twice. 

The hill again!

Click on the video to watch Layne finish.  She finished third with a time of 19 minutes and 18 seconds.  

There is a story with this girl. She finished toward the end of the pack and we could see the coach of the Deer Park's team running with her for awhile to encourage her. So special. This is the same coach that came to Layne's house to give her the cross country awards she earned after she broke her arm. Deer Park's team all waited for her and cheered her on. The coach did not run down the finish shoot with her. She finished strong. That is what being a team is all about.  Got me a little teary eyed.  

On the way home we made one stop at a store along the way.  They were having a fall festival.  I love this. 

Good old fashion fun!!!  

What a great day.  Time with the family and a little fall festival.  Congratulations to Layne for her third place finish!