First Day

The first day here at Junior Nationsls! Junior N-A-T-I-O-N-A-L-S! Wow. We can NOT believe it. After so much hard work by Gabby and Bobby the end of their journey is almost at end. The getting up early and trudging to the rink, all the homework, all the conditioning, all the pain and agony of learning new footwork and new sequences and working through muscle pain and stress - all that is about to pay off. The kids are getting their first look at the competition. I can't tell if Gabby is nervous, but she seems to be having a good time. We went to the official jacket vendor earlier but they were sold out of her size. Uh oh. We're going to have to order it. We were planning on getting it earlier but the kids had to practice on the ice. Gabby said she LOVED the ice. It was smooooth and silky and she glided across it effortlessly.
We met up with Dorothy and Gray and Kim at the rink and broke over to Three Cafe's for lunch. Nice place with an italian bread that was just outstanding!
Still no snow...and kinda warm.

Goodbyes, Good Lucks, and Blessings

The last day with the Murphys started off with a classic, big breakfast courtesy of David and Donna. Even DeeDee make some hot chocolate. The plan was for all of us, well, most of us to go to Mass. I was not sure if I wanted to go. We had stayed up late the night before, and Gabby had put on a short skating clinic at the Cottonwood Rec Center. We called it Gabby's rink just because they kept it open for her. Which reminds me, I really need to say Thank You to the crew out there. They were very accomodating and kind to let us skate for awhile after they closed.
So, the good thing about eating a great breakfast is that it puts you in a good frame of mind. One feels energetic, bright, and ready to go. So, we all loaded up the van and headed off to church. Oh, did I forget to mention we left a little late? Oh yeah. For me, it's normal. Good thing Donna knew the backway into the church so the congregration didn't see us pulling up in a our party van right before Mass started. As it was, we were lucky enough to get seats. Better yet, they were in the last row. The penalty for getting to Mass late at St. John Fisher in Richmond, is to sit up front. Front row. You had to do that little 'perp' walk and feel like the eyes of everyone is watching you shuffle to the front. Heh,heh. I sang in the choir so I got to see the look of horror as the ushers invited the late arrivals to the front. What are you going to say? No? Anyway, I digress - as usual - when blogging in the middle of the night. I found out that Father Dave is a Packers fan. Oh yes! And, he tossed a few prayers our way. Which were very much appreciated. I should have taken pictures of the church. There is something about going to Mass that gets me all gitty. No matter where one goes in the world, the Mass is the same. It's like coming home.
The rest of the day was spent driving up into more mountains and looking at different sites. We spotted some really huge mansions that Gabby thought were just outstanding and snapped a few pictures.
The day started winding down faster than we all expected. Our time to leave the Murphys and check into the team hotel was coming up and it would soon be time to start focusing on the competition. It has been a really great and relaxing time to catch up with family and see a part of the city that I had not seen. My mom (the DeLao part of the family) and dad had sent their well wishes to Donna and her family and big hugs were exchanged all the way around. They promised to visit and we promised to come back. It was sad and exciting to finally head into the city where the olympic ice and competition rinks were waiting. This is the ice that had carried Emily Hughes, and Apollo Anton Ono to Gold. And, soon, very soon, we would all be there.

Headings to the mountains!

The strange thing, for me, a flat lander from Texas...are these things called basements. Laugh all you will, but you know we don't have these back home. It was new to all of us. It worked out great as it was really roomy and quite warm. Our trip started out at the base of the mountain and we managed to make it up all the way to Alta, Snowbird, and the Brightons. Again, it was cold but no snow - yet. Snow would be a few days away yet. I snapped a few pictures and sent them to friends and family back home.


The other interesting things about driving through the canyons on our way up the mountain was how quickly it got dark on us. In the flat lands, you can see the sun going down. Here, the sun ducks behind a mountain, and you're done. It's dark. Time to switch on the lights and meander down the mountain. This is the part where it gets scary. I keep thinking Moose (and squirrel) is going to jump out and mess up my day.

However, we managed to make it up and down the mountain and play in some of the snow that was along the road. Gabby and Donna and the rest of the crew couldn't resist to get out and run around. Me? I stayed in the van. I like it warm and toasty.



All in all, it was a very busy day, capped off by Gabby giving a personal concert with her viola. Come to think about it, it was her first concert for anyone! I feel special. It's really cool to set around the piano, play some music, get jolly, and hang with family. It's in our blood!

Hello from Salt Lake City!

Well, here we are - in Salt Lake City finally! We arrived today a few days ahead of the competition to relax and get our bodies used to the altitude. It's working! I'm now huffing-and-puffing around with every step. I think I was doing that at sea level anyway - especially after that GREAT Thanksgiving dinner at Ma's. The great thing about Thanksgiving is that it gives us a chance to pig out (oink, oink) and catch up with the family. They all wished us well on our trip here.

So, we are all here in SLC - more accurately - Cottonwood Heights. My cousin, Donna Murphy, and her family have been gracious enough to open their lovely home to us. This is quite a treat in light of staying in yet another drab hotel room. Her husband, David, russeled up some home cooking for us when we arrived and put us in a good spirits. We had a chance to connect with her daughters - my long lost relatives - Deedee, Darika, and Danielle. It was great and we all had a great dinner.

Donna, whom was also working to volunteer to organize a banquet fundraiser for the catholic church, found the time to show us around her favorite parts of the mountains and canyons. With a phone in one ear and a constant flow of conversations and directions and ooh-and-aahs we were off to the mountains.
We first made a stop by one of her favorite haunts - La Calle - a french cateau styled restaurant. We were able to tour the restaurant before they opened through Donna's connections and a very friendly ghost who left a door open for us. Now THAT is cool. Did I mention the Cat? Gabby made friends with a very cool cat that wanted to come home with us. I don't think Gabby has ever met an animal that she didn't want to bring home. So, after touring the ski centers. At this point in our trip, very little snow had fallen. This was an odd year as there is usually a few feet of snow on the ground by Thanksgiving. I've sprinkled in a few pictures of the gorgeous mountains.

Train, Prepare, Train, Prepare, Train

So, here we are...the final days before the junior nationals. Things are stepping up around the home. Gabby and Bobby have been training non-stop since passing the test in September. The only breaks have been for weekends. This past weekend the Gabby, Bobby, Joel, and I got some quality time to beat the living crap out of each other on video games. Heh,heh. Somehow beating your partner on Guitar Hero is a lot of fun. :) I guess the point is that we don't forget to have fun. Kids and Kids at heart.

Although the tension is pretty high around the house, Gabby doesn't complain too much. It's a lot to put up when you're only 11. However, she's still snippy and she gets grouchy and she doesn't want to do this or that. It's normal for a pre-teen I suppose and a girl in the middle of the pressure of being just a normal kid. She has her friends and her friends outside of skating. I think having both has really helped keep her grounded. She talks to her friends from school and they kid around and talk about boys, but they may not understand skating. The skating friends understand the training schedule and the drama that is skating. Sometimes there is more drama at the rink than on TV.

So, we're all packing. Buying new shoes, new jackets, unpacking . It's going to be REALLLLLY cold in Utah. I can't wait and wow...only a few days away. Nine whole days on the road. Yikes. Seems like a LOOOONG time. At least some of my best friends will be there as well. It's one thing to be on the road alone, quite a bit different when one is traveling with friends and family. It's nice.

So, here we go - Thanksgiving coming up. A day to give thanks for everything. Our family is so blessed. Mom and Dad will be with us this year. That is wonderful.

Galleria Tree Lighting - Part 2

So, the show was just fantastic! All of our girls from the Texas Gulf Coast FSC did very well and we are sooooo proud of them. What is even more important than the show, I think, was the support the kids have for each other. They were all cheering the loudest whether they were cheering the reindeer (Brandee, Allison, Sabrina and Lauren), Gabby and Bobby, Kim and Gray, or the Christmas Tree Princess (Melissa). After the show, the kids all stood in line to visit with and take their picture with the star of the show, Nancy Kerrigan. Not everything worked out they would liked in that department. Too many people all wanting to see Nancy made it pretty tough. No matter though - after the show we *all* went out to eat dinnder at Canyone Cafe. It was fun walking from the hotel to the restaurant - about 2 blocks. Two loooong blocks and it was just about right. To say how lucky we were - I called the restaurant and requested a reservation for 7 people, which grew to 10, when grew to 15 and then 30. I called the restaurant thinking - oh, no way they were going to fit us in. However, I am glad to report here that not only was the restaurant not too crowded, but a reservation for 20 people fell through for another group. This meant that we could walk right in and have a table waiting for us. This is exactly what we did. Can you imagine a gang of skater girl (and boy) thugs walking down the street? It was a hoot and a lot of fun. I think these are the memories that the kids will remember.

So we all descended on the restaurant...a nice and quiet restaurant - until we got there. Uh-oh. :) We had our own little room in the back. There were some other nice couples in there but it was mostly us. Eventually, the other people left. I'm not sure if they were finished or we scared them off. Ha, ha. It was great from the food throwing that scored two points thanks to a bank shot from Bobby to Gray to Michelle for a score. It was SOOOO funny I thought Gray was going to split a stitch. You HAD to be there. :) Howard and I were just rolling on the floor laughing. It was a great ol' time with the gang from Sugar Land.

And, now... it gets serious and Bobby and Gabby are focusing on Junior Nationals. I know they will do great and I am so proud of them. Heidi has her work cut out for her. What, with signs to be made...limos to organize. HA,HA. Did I mention Heidi is the president of the fan club? Oh yes she is and she will be travelling with us to Salt Lake City. It less than 3 weeks away - AAAHHHHH!!!

Till next time,

Joe.

Wrapping up the Galleria Tree Lighting Show - Part 1

In a word - Wow. In two words: Wow, wow.

Gabby and Bobby skated very well and their part in the show was just fabulous! I have never see the Galleria full of soooo many people. We got there early in the day so that we could check in the hotel, drop our bags and enjoy some chill time before the craziness started. The day started off pretty cloudy and we were slowly - slowly - making our way to the hotel. The lines of cards were building up early with the regular weekend crowds starting to build up in anticipation of the holiday season. Brother Joel was following us to the hotel. Joel came out to support his sister. He was also going to watch the house and take care of the cat and dog while we stayed overnight at the hotel. YEA! Joel! I'm glad to have come home and proud to see the home standing in one piece. Ha,ha! So, back to the hotel. We got there early - too early - and our room was not ready. Uh oh. LUCKY for us Howard and Michelle - and daughter Brandee were already checked in. I called Dorothy and we were on our way up to the suite. Sharon and her daughter Sabrina were already there and the whole gang was just chilling. Calming the nerves before the really big shoo. Howard was a gracious host and order food for the girls to snack on to keep their strength ready. Gabby and Sally were getting dressed as there was not much time before Bobby and Gabby and the rest of the gang were to make their way to the ice and start warm ups.

So, back to the show. Let me tell you (again). It was PACKED. Our support group from Sugar Land was there. Sally's family was there. We had a ton of people there to cheer on all the skaters. All that support really came in handy as we were nervous. I think the only person not nervous was Gabby. She and Bobby went out and did their program with nary a problem. In the program, they skated with Kim and Gray whom also did the opening number. The program was set to the music of Josh Groban, "Believe" - from the movie "Polar Express". The program was dramatic as it was thrilling. Gabby and Bobby had a low spin (airplane) in their program, as well as a back-flip, a headbanger, and soaring lifts. Kim and Grey added a hand-stand to their program while Gabby and Bobby did a flip-lift. It brought the crowd to their feet with cheers and clapping. Once the program finished, we were able to breathe again. That was an exciting show and just sooo much to take in.