USA Gymnastic Trials

I've mentioned before that in my "other life," I was a Gym Rat...you can read about it HERE. So naturally, I made sure to attend USA Gymnastic Trials & witness the selection of the women's gymnastics team for the 2016 Olympics in Rio. How did I score tickets, you ask? A little Memphis magic!

Gene & Vera (longtime friends from Memphis) got my tickets for me & I got to hang out with them for a few days to participate in USGA's Coaches Congress at the San Jose Convention Center & Olympic Trials at the SAP Center.

Ben & Dara joined us for dinner at Original Joe's, along with longtime family friend, Heather Tucker. Ben & Ryan recently celebrated birthdays but she did not like it when we sang to her!

Dara was able to distract her by sharing this amazing talent with us!

The next day, "Jeffrey" (whose real name is Terry) was able to get me into the Showcase with his AAI credentials. Jeffrey coached with us back in the day & I hadn't seen him in 26 years!

It was pretty exciting to walk into the SAP Center (more affectionately known as the "Shark Tank") & feel the energy of the evening! We sat in the nose bleed section, but Becca had great seats right behind the Raismans (Aly Raisman's parents)!

I was so bummed that cameras were not allowed into the arena, so these crummy cell phone pix is all I have...that's okay...I was able to truly enjoy all of the pageantry & routines!

Simone Biles is amazing! She's definitely in a class all her own...clearly a cut above the rest! No question that she's the best gymnast in the USA...

The gymnasts compete in every event the first night & then the top gymnasts on each event compete the second night. The selection process is not determined by this event alone. Many factors are taken into consideration to insure that the most qualified gymnasts will represent Team USA. The strongest All Around gymnasts make the team & the other team members are filled in according to their strongest events. Even though the final standings show Gabby Douglas in 7th place (not her best night), her international experience & previous performances have shown that she is deserving of a spot on the team. It always amazes me how tight the scoring is! There is basically only 4 points between 1st & 10th place, separated by only fractions of a point...except for Biles. That's a pretty big lead for this level of competition!

Ben met us for lunch on the last day & said goodbye to his "other mother" & we enjoyed the final event & team selection...

On the way out, we ran into an old friend from BYU, Dawn Cattermole. Dawn & I attended many judging clinics together. She & her husband, Brad, coached BYU Gymnastics for almost 30 years & they own & operate All American Gymnastics in Lindon, UT.

Celebrating Happy Moments

We got to spend some time with Trey & his sister Finley while we were in Utah. We went to story time at the library, the park, & a Vivint event at 7 Peaks Water Park! We also gathered with family to celebrate Miss Finley's Blessing Day! Lots of fun celebrating with family!

Cute Cousins!

Trey loves Jude - they are big buddies!

Perfect day for this perfect little family!

We played baseball in Terri & Ben's culdesac before the Bailey Boys had to head to Idaho to spend some time with their grandparents there. We stayed through the 4th of July & celebrated our country's birthday with a picnic at the park & a little fireworks display...

This circle lets everyone know that this is the spot for fireworks.

"A good life is a collection of happy moments." Denis Waitley

We've collected many happy moments during our stay in Utah. We celebrated 3 baptisms, a baby blessing, our country's birthday, & lots of time with family. Life. Is. Good.

A Special Baptism

These cute cousins are 8 days apart! How fun that they are so close in age & will experience many special events in their lives about the same time! These girls thought it would be great fun to share the same baptism day & we are so grateful for everyone who went out of their way to make it happen! It was truly a SPECIAL day for these special girls! It's great to be 8!!!

We all met at Aunt Leah's house the day before & the moms took the girls on a cute little photo session. The girls were so excited & sweet to each other & very giggly! Aunt Terri took these adorable pix & they had some printed for display at the reception after the baptism...

The girls were all baptized in "birthday order" by their dads one right after the other - Keira, Olivia, then Lucie...

Their moms went right to work braiding their wet heads into these cute little crowns on their heads...
Beautiful moms with their beautiful daughters...

I got to give the girls their quilts together. The girls either chose the fabrics, colors, or patterns that reflect their interests/personalities...

It was definitely a proud grandparent moment! We are so happy that these girls are learning about the Gospel of Jesus Christ & that they have chosen to be baptized like Him...

I'm trying to be like Jesus;

I'm following in his ways.

I'm trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say.

At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice,

But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers,

"Love one another as Jesus loves you.

Try to show kindness in all that you do.

Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,

For these are the things Jesus taught."