What have you been up to little girl?
The last six months have been FULL of cheer, more cheer,
a little more cheer, a birthday, and big milestone!
a little more cheer, a birthday, and big milestone!
New Years with friends
We rang in the new year cheer with some of our besties, the Gangitano's. Games, beverages, and lots of noise at midnight - sorry neighbors.
Aloha Spirit Championships, earning a bid to Summit
The 2022 cheer craziness started in January at the Aloha Spirit Championships in Portland with Team Flash (Y2) and Team Blaze (J3)! Unfortunately, one of our sweet flyers was hit with COVID the day before the competition, requiring an emergency practice, and Parker taking on unfamiliar skills in the air as the remaining flyer. Nervous was an understatement (maybe more for mommy!) but Parks and this team did their thing!! Blaze ended with a score that earned them a trip to the National Summit.
(These two both had to make some overnight routine changes - they made a really great team! We love Mitch!)
Good luck candy leis for the Aloha competition,
and the crazy amazing cheer moms who spent HOURS making them!
and the crazy amazing cheer moms who spent HOURS making them!
Surprise reveal that Blaze received a bid to the National D2 Summit!
Sprit Sports Championships in Palm Springs
February brought our first traveling competition of the season, as we headed to the sunny desert for Spirit Sports! We rented a house with some of our best cheer friends. Who doesn't love time with friends in your very own pool!
We had most special surprise when Ashlin walked in to give us the best hugs and greatest support for the competition. There was ugly crying (Summer raises hand), it had been a while since we had seen our girl, this surprise was priceless!
Pac West Championship earning a PAID bid to Summit
Competition number three of the year for Flash and Blaze. Team Blaze once again brought a score exchanging their at-large bid for a paid bid to the National Summit.
US Finals in Tacoma
In early April, Blaze headed to Tacoma for the US Finals - taking 1st place and earning a jacket. Champion looks good on these Champions!
Excitement finding out they "hit zero"
Bonus this trip...we got to see "Uncle" Mike! Parker thinks he would make the perfect backspot. (Note: Corey standing UP beside him...)
Shout out to cheer mom memory making with Jessica - catwalk at Target, UBER shenanigans, and drinking wine in the rain while the girls swam...in the rain - welcome to Tacoma.
Regional Finals in Anaheim
Later in April we were on our way to the US Regional finals, where our sweet team Flash got to shine! So many memories made on this trip...hitting zero and wrapping up a fantastic season with this small J2 team.
Thanks for a fantastic season, Coach Spencer and Coach Hayley!
We took the days after to visit the happiest place on earth...Disneyland! Parents are cool and all, but Disney is WAY better with friends!
Parker's first ever roller coaster (Incredicoaster) ride.
That is the "I'm scared out of my mind" smile of Parker's. Turns out...she loved it and we rode it three more times.
That is the "I'm scared out of my mind" smile of Parker's. Turns out...she loved it and we rode it three more times.
Daddy didn't make this trip - meaning GIRLS trip with the Gangitano's. Tausha and Kyla were the best roommates - getting competition ready with each other, giggling until late at night, then spending three days at Disney to celebrate the season. We love you two and had the best time. Tausha, thanks for being our tour guide and my Kumbaya partner. Kyla, thanks for being such a sweet friend to Parker, getting her on her first roller coaster, and hanging back with your out-of-shape friend Summer when the rest were running to the Rise.
End of Season Awards Banquet
Congratulating some amazing athletes on an amazing season. Parker earned the Integrity Award (for Flash) and Discipline award (for Blaze). Love celebrating these beautiful girls!
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Thank you to these fantastic coaches!!
The Superbowl of Cheer - National SUMMIT in Orlando
Finally, in May we ended our fast-paced cheer season in Orlando, where Blaze competed in the national championships. This trip was so full of anticipation, anxiousness, emotions - all the feels.
The gym held a send-off for family and friends who got to see the performance these girls were taking to the big stage. Then the girls proceeded to get spoiled with good-luck goody bags from the gym and parents.
We flew into Orlando early, the next day (Wednesday) giving us Thursday to spend at the water park. Priceless memory of daddy throwing his baby girl in the pool.
We were given strict instructions, not to let the girls get sunburned prior to competing. And we followed said instructions, with lots of sunscreen. Turns out...Parker was allergic to said sunscreen. #momfail
We got another another Sample Family surprise this trip, with Amy and Ashlin driving overnight (from Tennessee) to come support our girl through the Summit experience. I have to say, there is a good chance that the Warner's wouldn't have been able to get through the competition without them. From Amy keeping me calm and being my rock, to Ash on comp hair duty, and giving the tough love and support to Parker behind the scenes. This family is one of the best - I love them and appreciate them more than they will ever know.
Amy and Ash - THANK YOU and WE LOVE YOU!!
On Friday, our teams and families got to tour ESPN Wide World of Sports to see where they were going to compete, get some practice time in, and capture some kodak moments. Then it was back to the resort for a pool party and some fun before taking the mat the next day.
Our teammate, and friend, Mack recorded her and Parker's reaction to the reveal.
This is a priceless video I'll treasure forever. Thanks Mack!
Sunday - finals day. Blaze hit another zero - and at that point, I think there was less care about awards, and just pride of this team who had worked so hard for the season, not only made it to Summit, but made it to FINALS at Summit. So many goals reached, this team has a heart of gold, bonded friendships, and a lifetime of memories made with each other. We ended Summit 11th out of 65 teams in their division - 11th in the nation - not a bad title, Blaze!!
Don't let their size confuse you - these two little flyers are beasts in the air!
Hugs, loves, and support from the seniors. Priceless.
The Warner's celebrated the official end of the 21-22 cheer season with three days at Disney - Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios. We had a great time as a family. We played hard, sunburned, laughed, ached, and added lots to our memory book. Love this little family of mine!
Parker had a huge, big girl moment with her deep desire to ride the Slinky Dog roller coaster. Waiting in line for two hours was off the table, so when ONE lightening lane option became available, my sweet little 10-year old said she'd take it. She marched up to the ride, scanned her pass, and rode that rollercoaster by herself. (For those who know her - this is a huge step, considering sometimes she still doesn't even want to order food from a waitress by herself.)
COVID hit the Warner's
We brought home souvenirs we really didn't want. Touchdown home and I tested positive for COVID. Four days later and Corey had the same pleasure. I guess we were both forced with post vacation (uncomfortable and isolated) vacation. Luckily we were separated enough to care for Parks, who (thankfully) steered clear of it...
Stunting with the "big" kids
Parker had the awesome opportunity to take stunting lessons from some of the pros - Madesyn, Marshall, and friends. Madison is former OSU cheerleader, turned OSU cheer coach. Marshall is a former OSU cheerleader, turned Blazer Trailblazer cheerleader. They make a great team (well, they are engaged, so I hope so!) and Parker LOVES stunting with them - I love watching them!!
Parker turns 11!
Double ones = double birthday parties. Parker once again had multiple birthday parties to celebrate turning another year older.
Splatter box - Nothing says fun like throwing paint at your friends....I guess. After an hour and 60+ bottles of paint, we took five paint soaked girls home for pizza and ice cream. While the paint (that got EVERYWHERE) could be cleaned, the messy memory will last a lifetime.
CHEERs to 11 at the river - When in Oregon, you party in the rain. Bandana and t-shirt making, hide and seek, trampoline, and running in the rain soaked the younger party goers - while the adults stayed under cover by the fire...until it was time for s'mores and a photoshoot.
Outdoor School
A rite of passage for every Oregon 5th grader...Outdoor School. Parker's class spent three days in an outdoor classroom - petting horses, fishing, shooting for a bullseye, making candles and paracord bracelets, and cooking by campfire.
Buh-Bye 5th Grade
Another big milestone in the books - the end of Parker's elementary career. Such a bittersweet experience watching Parker say goodbye to the school that welcomed her as a new student in 3rd grade, helped her navigate education through a global pandemic, taught her life lessons beyond measure, provided leadership opportunities that magnified her growth, and introduced her to friends and teachers whose impact and inspiration is indescribable.
These elementary years have been some of the best and have prepared her for her journey to and through middle school. The people below have played a very important part in her story. Thank you to all of Parker's elementary school teachers who have helped develop this amazing little human about to take on 6th grade.
You have seen this face often in this blog...and just wouldn't be right not to give KUDOS TO MS. KATLYN. Ms. Katlyn was a class volunteer this year, and became so much more...a mentor, a friend, and a rock for this little group of girls. They loved having her in class with them, encouraging them, being silly with them... and, this mom is personally so thankful to have had her there and loving on my girl, not to mention take all the 5th grade fun photos!!! We love you Ms. Katelyn (aka Bentley's mom :))
Parker poses
Just being Parker
When the gym had a Disney themed practice...thank goodness my 10-year old
could still fit in the Halloween costume she wore seven years prior. (Yes, I saved it...don't judge)
could still fit in the Halloween costume she wore seven years prior. (Yes, I saved it...don't judge)
Take your child to work day with daddy!
One More Warner is 11 years old - and now, a middle schooler!
