October Part 6: Football

October brought us the end of football season, and we enjoyed seeing our boys and their teams doing well--well, at least growing. Michael did spend most of the season on the sidelines. We learned a lot about what it means to be an active member of a team, and sometimes the hardest thing is showing up, especially when you may spend the whole time on the sidelines. 

Gabe's flag football team did really good this year. Gabe's been playing up, so he was on a 5th grade team. They've had the same coach for a bit, so he's been able to work with them, and they really started to hit their groove this fall. They did so well, in fact, that they made it to the championship team and scored points against a team that, if rumors are to be believed, had never let anyone score against. They did end up losing in the end, but we were all so proud of them! 

This photo totally looks like Gabe punched this kid, but I promise that he didn't. 

Here's my one shot from the Championship game. It's blury and terrible, much like the game itself, at least speaking from a weather standpoint. This is the game where the temperature dropped 15-20 degrees in a matter of a few minutes. Thankfully, it was during the last 10 minutes of the game. 

Lara and Greg thought it was pretty funny that Gabe was on the Falcon's team, named for the Atlanta Falcons NFL team. 

Here's Gabe with his coach. 

We made Rachel and Gabe come support Michael on his last game. I was surprised and so grateful that his coach put in their whole bench at the end of the game, even though they were losing. In fact, while Michael was in, the team even scored a touchdown, so that was really fun. 

These three fight way more than I wish they would, but they really do love each other and are so proud of each other. Even thought they didn't like the idea of watching the long football game, they couldn't wait to go hug Michael when it was all over. 

The last thing of the season was the Sophomore banquet, which was just for parents and our player. They had the cafeteria decorated with their football player posters, which apparently had been at the stadium all year. I had just assumed they only hung up the Varsity players. Oops! At the end of the banquet, the boys got to take their poster home. 

They had candy leis for each of the boys, and I got to put Michael's on him. 

We're so proud of Michael, and his random friend that photobombed our picture. 

Here's most of the team. Great season guys. Here's hoping for more wins and less coach drama next year. (Michael's coach quit/was asked to resign midway through the season. Not really sure what happened about it.)

Gabe had an end of the year party with his team and he received the award for "All out Every Down." Not sure what it means, but here's his paper plate award for posterity to remember always. 

I'm proud of my football boys and grateful for my dad teaching me how the basics of football when I was growing up, despite my protests. Thanks to him, I can mostly keep up with what is going on down on the field. Brian and I still laugh that we have a son so into sports, but we've been enjoying being part of the flag and tackle communities as we've cheered them on. I'm also really grateful to the amazing boys on the sophomore team that have been such a good influence on Michael. Yay for team sports, Yay for football, and Yay that it is finally over! Until next season....