Lia's Last Soccer Game of the Season

We were all able to attend Lia's last soccer game of the season today since it just happened to fall between Emmett's morning and afternoon nap.  Once again, it was held at Lia's school which has been such a blessing and coincidence as over half her games have been at her school this season.  In fact, besides her one game in Tacoma, Gig Harbor, and Vashon Island (which she didn't play in), all of the games in our town have been at her school with the exception of one.  With all the running around that we do juggling everyone's schedules, I will take it!  It's hard to believe, but this is the end of Lia's fifth season playing soccer--one indoor season at the Park & Rec Center in 2nd grade and then four seasons with Rainier Soccer Alliance.  She has been on the same team for the past three seasons with her wonderful Coach Dave and the majority of the same girls, too.  She has really enjoyed her overall soccer experience and the camaraderie that she has had with this team.  Lia has tried again to play more aggressively this season even while struggling with her left ankle that she sprained in track last April.  With the exception of missing two practices and one game due to reinjuring it a few weeks ago, Lia has powered through the pain and benefited from wearing an ankle brace for extra support.  Last Saturday, Lia also made her one and only goal of the season in Gig Harbor while Ron's Aunt Blanche was visiting.  Unfortunately, I had stayed behind in Puyallup with the three younger children so that Ella and Logan could attend their Primary Program practice at church.  But I am so grateful that she was able to make another goal for the second year in a row.  This might be her last year playing soccer as we are considering putting her in cross country at her junior high school next year, but we will just have to wait and see.  Overall, I am grateful for the wonderful experience she has had playing this sport over the years and all of the positive memories that she has made.

Lia chasing down the ball on her home, soccer field.

Charging for the ball in a pack of girls.

Kicking away!  I just love this picture.

Running after the ball.

And chasing it down again.

A close-up of Lia running down the field.

Walking across the field during a break in the game.

Looking our way.  I just can't get over how grown up she looks in this picture.

Kicking the ball across the field.

Taking a break on the sidelines with some of her teammates.

Looking straight at us from across the field.

Lia posing with her siblings after the end of her final game!