Still playing soccer

Saturday we drove to Garland to represent Duncanville in the Tournament of Champions. To make it to this tournament, you must play in the A Division of your age group and you must win 1st place.

The weather was COLD and windy!!! The girls started off slow. We tied the first team 0-0. The 2nd team forfeited and we won 5-0 the 3rd game. We won our our bracket sending us to the quarter finals. Unfortunately, some of the girls were too cold and tired to perform to their potential.

But if you think about it, the girls did an awesome job!!! There are about 30 U-12 in the SW Dallas area, so add up how many U12 teams are in the whole North Texas Area (including Lubbock), we made it to the top 8 teams!!! Not too bad!!!

I am so proud of Megan. It didn't matter how cold it was, Megan played hard and tough the whole game, every game. She was throwing in the balls like I have never seen her throw before. She was throwing like a man, the ball was going over the group and to our waiting player. It was amazing. I'm so proud of her!!!!

Here are a few pictures from the 1st game.

Toodles,

Chelley

A time to give thanks....

Now that the Thanksgiving season is upon us, it is time to reflect on all the blessings in my life.... my husband, my kids, my mom & my sisters, my step dad, my brothers-in-law, sisters-in law, nieces, nephews, great-nieces & great-nephew, aunts, uncles, cousins and other extended family. I'm thankful for my health and the ability to see another year. I'm thankful for my job, for the chance to go back to school. I'm thankful for all of my friends and for those special few who have truly touched my life. I'm thankful for my pets. I'm thankful for my home and car and other things that we take for granted! I'm thankful that I have the freedom to write these words!

I hope each of you have a most blessed Thanksgiving and enjoy the time with your family.

Toodles,

Chelley

New York!!

We had the most AMAZING time in NYC!!! We didn't get to see everything, so I guess that means we're going back!!! We did see a lot and walked A LOT!! My pooooor feet will never be the same! Here are some pictures highlighting our trip. I've got some night pictures that I need to do some work with and I'll post them later. Enjoy!!

ME!!!

The Bethesda Fountain, Central Park

Mike leaning on the Bow bridge in Central Park.

Me on the Bow Bridge in Central Park

Natural Museum of History.....

"QUIET!! My dumdum wants to speak" From the movie A Night in the Museum.

Time Square!

USS Intrepid - a WWII Battleship, now a museum.

Manhattan Skyline!

Statue of Liberty!!

Brooklyn Bridge

New Yankee Stadium & Old Yankee Stadium

New York Stock Exchange

The Trinity Church, at the intersection of Wall Street & Broadway

Ground Zero! A very moving site. We all saw it on TV, but to be there and actually see where two building WERE, was very surreal.

The flat iron building!

The original torch which was removed in the restoration in 1984.

The cast of the left foot!

I just loved the way the State of Liberty's shadow is in the picture with the flag!

Me & Lady Liberty!

Me & the Cake Boss!

Herald Square....Macy's!!!

Window at Macy's

The Guggenheim Museum!

Enjoying my cupcake from the Cake Boss.....Red Velvet w/Cream Cheese icing!!!

Toodles,

Chelley

Video on Niagara Falls

Here's a video from the American side of the falls.

Untitled from Chelley Johnson on Vimeo.

Toodles,

Chelley

Niagara Falls!!!

Today Mike a I left for my birthday weekend trip to New York. Our first stop....Niagara Falls!!! Of course, we got caught in the FAA computer glitch at the airport. It is kind of funny, we were delayed an hour but arrived at our destination 12 minutes early!!!

We get to Niagara Falls and it is absolutely amazing!!! It is raining and cold, but we don't care!!! We stop on the American side. The first 4 pictures are from the American side. The bridge is the Rainbow Bridge, which we crossed to get to Canada.

There is a story to tell there!! Getting into Canada was not problem, but getting back into the USA is another story!!! They had no beef with me, but Mike's name got a couple of hits, so he had to get out of the car and was escorted by 2 border parole officers to a station. I had to get out and drive the car around. Thankfully, we were only in there for a few minutes and we left laughing.

The falls viewed from the American side

The Rainbow Bridge

A different view of the falls - Horseshoe falls is in the background, but with the fog/mist it was hard to view from this side.

Me & Mikey - soaked!!!

Viewing them from the Canadian side

Look for more to come later.

Toodles,

Chelley

Soccer Tournament!

Saturday started the Duncanville Tournament. We ended the day with 30 (perfect) ranking points. We were tied for 1st with the Oak Cliff United. Because they scored 2 more goals than us, then went into the semi-finals as 1st and we were 2nd.

Sunday, we played the Grand Prairie Pumas. It was a VERY physical fight of a game. The other team's parents were cursing at our girls when they were on their side of the field. All is well, we won 4-0, sending us to the Championship game against the OC United.

Talk about a FIGHT!!! Our girls have never played a team like this. There was pushing, shoving, tripping and 2 red cards given for bad sportsmanship!!! Unfortunately, we lost 4-1, giving us 2nd place.

We are so proud of the girls. They fought HARD!!!! This game has prepared them to play in the Tournament of Champions where we will see the Oak Cliff United again!!! Payback, baby, payback!!!

Toodles,

Chelley

A Quick update!

Things are good at the Johnson household. Mike and I are in the midst of planning our trip to NYC next week - we are BOTH so excited!!

We start the Duncanville Soccer tournament tomorrow. Mike and Megan are going to scout a team we're playing tomorrow tonight. We also found out that Megan's team will be going to the Tournament of Champions!!!! You have to be in the A Division and you have to win 1st place!!! We are thrilled. We've been to the TOC with Matt and Lauren before, so it is great that Megan has a chance to experience it, too. It will be happening on December 5&6.

Check back soon to see how Megan does at the TOC and also the following week to see our NYC pics!!

Toodles,

Chelley

Welcome Home the Troops

Today I had the most wonderful experience. Dee and I went to DFW airport and got to welcome home the troops from Afghanistan and Iraq. It was very touching seeing these guys and gals walking through a crowd of Americans cheering, waving flags, clapping and shaking their hands saying thank you. What a wonderful way to start Veterans Day!!

Thank you to all of the men and women of our Armed Services who have sacrificed their time and lives to give us our freedom!! Thank you!!!

Toodle,

Chelley