For Thanksgiving this year, we all headed out to Ohio. Wanting to get her money's worth, Ellen decided she would fly out a week and half early with Lyla so she could see Emma play some volleyball at the OVC conference tournament. The winner of the tournament gets an automatic bid to the NCAAs, something Morehead State has never been able to do.
Ellen and Lyla survived the 4 hour plane ride cross-country with Lyla riding on Ellen's lap. I'm not sure she's ready to do that again any time soon, but she made it! A few days after making it in to Ohio, Ellen and Lyla along with Ellen's parents made the journey down to Morehead, KY. Lyla enjoyed life as a college co-ed, staying up way too late and taking naps in a college dorm room. Morehead took on Southeast Missouri in the semi-finals and UT Martin in the finals. They wiped the floor, winning each match in 3 straight sets. It was amazing to watch! Lyla loved watching volleyball, although she wasn't too happy about all the screaming and loud noises. Miraculously she sat on Ellen and her mom's lap over the two days worth of games. Not only, did Morehead win their FIRST EVER trip to the NCAAs, Emma was the named the tournament MVP and was selected to first-team all-conference, as well as the Morehead State Athlete of the Week. We're so proud to have such talent in the family! Sunday we visited Emma's ward for church. Also, let's take a minute and describe how amazing Emma's ward family is. These folks come to every one of Emma's home games - and some of her away matches as well! They treat her like a member of their family, and they go above and beyond supporting her. It makes us feel good that Emma is so taken care of when most of her family can't be closer to her!
We drove back to Ohio to lay low until Dustin got in early Thanksgiving morning. Also, Ellen's Aunt Judy and family came to spend Thanksgiving with us - it was so awesome! It was such a relaxing and enjoyable holiday to spend with family. After Ellen's extended family left, Ellen and her mom did some serious napping to prep for Black Friday shopping. Ellen's mom is a machine and led a shopping mission that kept them out from midnight until 7 the next morning. Needless to say, Ellen and her mom slept the rest of the day away while Dustin and Ellen's dad looked after Lyla. :)
Saturday all of us drove BACK to Kentucky, this time to Louisville to see Morehead take on Louisville for a preview volleyball match. Even though Morehead lost in three, Dustin was really happy to get a chance to see Emma play. After the game we drove back to Ohio. Are we starting to notice a bit of a pattern with all the running around?
The next day, Ellen and her parents drove back to Kentucky AGAIN to watch the NCAA volleyball selection show on ESPNU at Morehead's selection show party. It was great to see the energy all the girls had, and they found out they were taking on the #5 seed Purdue first round and would be playing at Purdue.
SIDE NOTE: Morehead ended up falling to Purdue in three sets BUT Morehead almost beat them in the last set, with Purdue only edging out Morehead 25-23. Ellen got a chance to see Emma play on Purdue's website, and it was a great last match to take in! Emma played awesome, as did the rest of the girls, and Ellen was once again a proud sister.
Early the next morning after the selection show, Ellen, Dustin, and Lyla hopped back on a plane to California all together. It was a LONG flight (as most are when you're traveling with Lyla in tow!), but we're happy to be home and can't wait to see Ellen's parents again in February!
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