The End of Fall Sports

 In the last two weeks we've wrapped up the fall sports season.  It was AMAZINGly cold at times.  But it was SO fun to see the kids compete in new(ish) sports.  So many PRs for both girls.  So much good hard honest work in the water and on the field! They were all JV, but they were contributors in their own ways. 

One key way we contribute is by bringing Aunt Maren.  She's the winner for loudest fan ever.  For real.  And it's so great!  She's very into swimming because it's Jed & Rory's sport.  So she helped teach me the ropes for being a swimming fan.  We also bring the older Nortons.  So we're a crowd! 

We also contribute so much joy and rejoicing when we get a PR.  Libby's is louder and includes more flexing.  But Sarah just radiates joy when she does her best.  It's infectious and fun. 

What's great about the swim team is that all members are celebrated, even if they don't make the district team.  Love them all so much. 

And in swimming you get to sharpie on your body.  Because, why not? 

This is an older photo, from one of the first meets.  But it epitomizes Maren's contibutions! 

The Snohomish Aquatic Center has an elevator.  Geneva and Brion got to try it out! 

I love that these sisters got to do something fun together. 

Sarah ready to step up on the blocks. 

Libby ready to dive.  (way back there)

Ben's football career was mainly in the 5th quarter.  But in this last game against Kellogg, once the score was close to a 40 point divide, Ben got in for two plays.  One play was a fourth down, then he came out when Kellogg failed to convert.  The other play we intercepted the ball so he came out when the offense went back in.  When he went into the game and the announcer called his name (their last game was at the actual stadium with an actual score board and announcer!), the Norton cheering section went wild! Some nearby fans said they were now cheering for Ben too, even though they were Kellogg fans! 

Two favorite football quotes.  At the Meadowdale game, when Ben got hit in the 5th quarter, one of his teammates was sitting behind me and told his dad, "That's Ben.  He's the smallest kid on the team.  But he's really dedicated.  So I think he'll play a lot next year." 

Another was one night after practice he had a headache.  I asked what happened.  He said, "Lucas tackled me by the head....but to be fair, my head is at his waist...so he was reaching really far down."

Haha.  Love this kid. He's going to be a basketball manager if they'll have him. They'd be silly not to! 

Love all our fans, but these ones are pretty special.