What have you been up to little girl?
Back for another season
After a few weeks break, it was immediately back into cheer for the 2022-23 season. Parks is on two teams again this year - Shimmer (J2) and Shine (J4). First up, choreography and stunt camp. Hard work and hot days call for water slides and snow cones!
Fourth of July
BBQ and bestie's...happy birthday 'Merica!
Lyons Luau
We have talked about it for years, and this year finally threw the first luau by the river - pig roast included. Lei's, beverages, and friends - I think we may have started a new annual tradition!
Cheering for our favorite Iron Man
When you coach a bunch of cheerleaders, you better believe they will be your biggest (and loudest fans) when you swim, run, and bike the Iron Man competition. Parker, teammates, and parents had so much fun role reversing by supporting and encouraging Coach Aaron!
She can see now!
It was inevitable...Parker succumbed to poor eyesight just like her parents. Sigh. While she is cute as a bespectacled little button - she wanted to be able to see during her sport as well - so after lots of practice, Parker became a pro at contacts too!
Fish on
She won't eat them, and not a big fan of touching them, but the thrill of the catch has her "hooked". This summer Parker took to river and ocean fishing catching her first trout and salmon. Unfortunately, it turns out, she takes after her daddy and the ocean makes her a little green behind the gills.
More memories at the river
Papa's biggest fan
Papa took his cornhole game on the road. Competing in the Oregon Senior Games (taking 1st in partner, and 3rd in single) and Capitol City tournament. Parker was his biggest fan making posters, cheering him on, loving on Caesar the llama, and spending Papa's money on raffle tickets.
Beach babe
We took a daytrip to the beach with Grammie and Papa to celebrate the end of summer and cheers to soon-to-be sixth grader.
State Fair
It's an annual trip for the fam to experience all there is at the fair. We got to play all the games, ride all the rides (including a monster truck) and eat all of the eats (like at 2' long corndog) with our favorite Priest family. We ended the evening with the Beach Boys - Parker's first ever concert...right up her alley! tee hee
Start of 6th grade
She's officially a middle schooler! Sixth grade means big things...a new school, her own locker, six class periods, choosing elective classes - so much to learn! Parker was able to attend a 6th grade camp to help introduce her to the school and what to expect as a middle schooler. Partnered with a bestie who knows the ropes and the open house night before, Parker was ready to lace up those first day Chucks and conquer middle school.
First middle school dance
Such a fun way to celebrate the beginning of school - neon fun at the school dance - profesh DJ included!
Shimmer in the sunflowers
New cheer teams mean new opportunity for team bonding. This year we took the team to the Sunflower festival (think pumpkin patch - with sunflowers instead)! Sweet Shimmer had fun with teammates on the tire swings, gigantic slide, and of course, "cheer posing" amongst the blooms!
Pumpkin patchin' with friends
Welcoming fall in red plaid! We tagged along with some of our favorite people for a trip to the pumpkin patch. When you get this group together, the girls always match, the adults always laugh, and there is always...always cheer poses.
Halloween upped a notch
Last year it was full sized candy bars, this year, full on haunted garage, scary clowns and Dr. Shotz to conquer on the way to those candy bars.
AVID college presentations
Parker applied and was accepted into the AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination) program. This has been such a fun class for Parker, starting with college presentation night at her school. Parker and her partner Kerry presented on Notre Dame (daddy's favorite) and totally rocked their presentation materials and verbal (memorized) presentation. Bonus, Parker was able to gift her daddy a Notre Dame pennant the school sent them for their hard work!
Season kickoff
Year four as an elite all-star cheerleader - kicking off the 2022-23 cheer season on team Shimmer (J2) and Shine (J4). We love our cheer family, coaches, supporters and, so much, this sport!
More stunting
Co-ed stunting continues. While Marshall was pulled away to stunt with the Blazers, we were super lucky to keep the stunting going with Stunt Coach Gomie.
First competition - American Championships | Portland, OR
With the season in full swing, our first competition took us to Portland at the American Championships where Shimmer hit zero both days and brought home 2nd place!
Winter break festivities
We filled a few short weeks with all of the festivus fun!
Parker knows who to find for a mouth full of whipped cream.
SO fun hanging out with the two mascots - Cap the pup and Noble the Ox!
Hello 2023
We brought 2023 "all in"! Not only bringing in the new year, but also celebrating a special birthday casino style! Games, beverages, laughs, and maybe some bruised ribs...kinda like Vegas! Happy birthday Jess-ca!
Second comp - Aloha | Portland OR
Second comp of the season brought another well/hard earned 2nd place. It was tough competition - these girls fought hard and moved from 4th place to 2nd. This little team had to learn resiliency early in the season with teammates quitting, to teammates leaving due to medical reasons, to injuries, to new teammates coming on the team and learning routines in few practices. Team Shimmer has stayed strong, and just kept pushing. Such life lessons these girls are getting!
Braces - Round 2
Back to perfecting that smile. Round two (and FINAL) braces for the little girl!
Field trip to Oregon State University
Some of our favorite people are OSU Beaver alumni, and Parks was excited to see where they came from during her 6th grade AVID field trip! Her favorite part - the robots that deliver food and the cafeteria lunch options.
Third comp - All Things Cheer | Bellevue, WA
First travel comp of the season. Once again Team Shimmer fought hard and looked great on the mat. Unfortunately, judging wasn't in our favor in Washington, and we brought home 5th (up from 6th the day before). However, it's not always about the placement, but the memories that these girls take away that are priceless. Next up...Vegas!
Parker-isms
That's a reel nice hole. Get it "reel"?
-re: Finding a good fishing spot
(Parker) That mask is really unsettling.
(Mommy) That's a pretty big word for a little girl.
(P) Well I've been known to use big words like crucial.
That's just a YouTube camera.
-re: seeing an actual camcorder
Parker poses
What a beautiful, talented young lady. Growing up so fast ❣️ wish I lived closer to watch you do your Cheer ❤️ love Aunt Diana and Uncle Tom keep up the good work 🥰
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