4th of July

Our family had a wonderful time attending the T-Bones game. Marshall and Sydney loved tailgating. Moriah flew a kite and played the washer game. Shauna and I especially enjoyed the beautiful night air, as we all watched the fireworks display.

Bedtime Shenanigans

Bedtime+Climbing+Shenanigans = Broken Arm
A trip to the ER Wednesday night revealed a broken bone near the elbow. Moriah was fitted with a temporary cast. We were sent home around 11:30pm and told to arrive downtown early the next morning for surgery. Thursday morning Moriah had surgery and they placed two pins near her elbow. After 5.5 hours at the hospital, Moriah was sent home groggy and with a special blue cast. She will have her cast for a month and then it will be time to head to the pool.

Snow Day

After spending the morning cleaning off the driveway, we headed out to go sledding. A fun time was had by all. Now, we are counting down the hours until the pork shoulder is done. Mmmmmm..... Gringo Tacos.

Music is Life

I love music! I always have a radio on in the house or car. Marshall, Sydney, and Moriah all have their own taste in music. Sydney falls asleep every night to Bieber or One Direction. Marshall enjoys a variety of artists. He listens to music while completing his homework and when he works out. Moriah sings in the car and has become quite fond of The Lumineers or anything played on 102.7 Kiss (out of Los Angeles).

The playlist for our family currently looks like this...

Ho Hey ---- The Lumineers
When I Was Your Man ---- Bruno Mars
Scream Shout - will.i.am & Britney
Don't You Worry - Swedish House Mafia
Home --- Phillip Phillips
Little Things ---- One Direction
Thrift Shop ------ Macklemore
I Will Wait ---- Mumford & Sons
50 Ways to Say Goodbye --- Train
Battle Scars ----- Lupe Fiasco
As Long As You Love Me --- Bieber
Daylight ---- Maroon 5
Some Nights ----- Fun.
Whistle ------ Flo Rida
Be Alright ----Bieber (acoustic version)

May your life be filled with good music.

Sterling Hammett
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My Ride or Die Chick

My wife is an amazing woman. Shauna is a wonderful mom, teacher, spouse, friend, and person. I'm very thankful to have Shauna in my life.

Twenty years ago, as high school students, we started dating. In the last twenty years, we have cultivated our marriage, had three children, started careers, survived rocky times, laughed, cried, made numerous memories as a couple and a family, traveled, and much much more.

Along the way, we made the difficult decision to say goodbye to some members of our "family". It had become virtually impossible for us to show and teach our kids about what it means to be a family when we constantly had to deal with disappointment, lies, and selfish behavior from the people who were closest to us. You see, Shauna and I have a great understanding of what it means to be a real family.

Other things my change but we start and end with family.

I hope and pray that I will be blessed with at least another twenty years with my wife, my partner, my best friend, my love, and my everything.

Sterling
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Play Like the Comets

Last Sunday, Sydney's soccer team was invited to scrimmage on the Missouri Comets field before the Comets took the field at 3pm for their game. Sydney loved playing on the same field that the professionals play on.

Christmas pictures

Sterling
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Doin' it all...

As the month of November draws to a close and our family briefly catches our collective breath, I thought that I would update our blog.


Sydney has been playing soccer at the New Century Fieldhouse in Gardner. Her first session of the winter season is almost complete. Her team has been playing U10 girls (a year older) and is currently undefeated. Session 2 of winter soccer will be starting after the first of the year. Sydney loves playing soccer and her skills continue to develop. This year, Sydney is also participating in basketball. Shauna and I are coaching her team. We started practice this week and her games will start in January.

Marshall is wrapping up his first session of indoor soccer. He is practicing and playing his games at All American. Marshall's team is currently in third place and headed to the playoffs. Marshall will take a few weeks off from soccer and then resume with his second session after the New Year. Basketball also started for Marshall this week. I'm coaching his team this year and we both are having a blast.

Needless to say, our schedule is jam packed. Soccer, basketball, Student Council, and Mathletics occupy most of our weekdays and weekends. We are so proud of our kids. Moriah will be starting soccer in the spring and is anxiously waiting her turn. In the meantime, she has been practicing her "footwork" at their practices and cheers them both on during the games.

On a side note... if you are not watching Homeland and listening to Lionel Richie's new cd Tuskegee you are missing out.

Sterling
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***After many years of having a Crackberry, I switched to an Android. I have experienced no dope sickness and find myself adjusting rather well.***

Thanksgiving

Our family had a wonderful Thanksgiving. This morning, Moriah enjoyed watching the parade. After reading the paper and putting the turkey in the oven, we headed to the soccer field for our annual Turkey Cup family soccer game. We dined on a delicious 24lb bird and all of the trimmings. This evening we attended the Plaza Lighting Ceremony. Everyone loved watching the fireworks. What a wonderful way to enjoy the beautiful weather. As we concluded our evening with pumpkin pie, we all commented on just how lucky we are to have each other.

Yo-Ho-Ho

Trick-or-Treating at Matt Ross Community Center.


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CSI Champions

Sydney's team played in the CSI soccer tournament this weekend. Tonight they played in the Championship game. Sydney's team won the game 2 -1 and they were crowned U9 Tournament Champions.
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KU Weekend

We took advantage of a soccer-less Saturday and headed to Lawrence for the KU football game.
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Halloween decorations are up. Kids enjoyed playing dress- up all afternoon. I am looking forward to fall and all our family traditions.

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First Day of School

The kids are dressed and ready for their big first day. They have switched to a new elementary school and are both anxiously awaiting new adventures. As usual, we will be going out to eat tonight to discuss the events from their first day. School, Mexican food, and soccer practice will make this a very busy day. Such is life...

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At the end of the school year, we gave Marshall $100 for having all A's for four quarters. After months of deliberation, he purchased a personalized Sporting KC jersey.
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Sydney with Matt Besler and Marshall with Aurelien Collin.

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KC FUSION

Marshall and Sydney have always been very successful playing recreational soccer. After Sydney became a MUSC All-Star and Marshall scored 15 goals in eight games, we knew we had to make the move to a more competitive soccer program. They started the try-out process with a week long training camp. Then on Saturday and Sunday the true try-out portion began. Marshall and Sydney were both offered spots in the KC Fusion program. This competitive soccer program is a 10 month commitment to soccer.

Sydney made the Academy team for U9. Academy teams play in the top division in their age group. They practice 3 days per week during the fall and spring and twice a week indoors in the winter. Academy teams play Futsal during the winter and attend six tournaments per year (3 in the fall and 3 in the spring).

In the U12 division there are 4 teams. Marshall made the Club B squad. They practice two days per week during the spring and fall and once a week indoors in the winter. Marshall will be playing indoor soccer during the winter. In addition, he will attend four tournaments per year (2 in the fall and 2 in the spring).

Between outdoor, indoor, futsal, and then also attending Sporting KC games we will be getting our fill of soccer. 

Endings and New Beginnings

The spring soccer season has come to an end. Marshall's team finished the season with one loss. Marshall scored 15 goals this season and had 8 assists. Sydney's team did not fair as well in the win-loss column. However, Sydney personally had a fabulous season, finishing with 20 goals and 5 assists. Sydney was selected to play in an All-Star tournament over the Memorial Day weekend. Sydney's team of All-Stars played 3 games at the new Overland Park Soccer Complex and her team was one goal from being in the finals. Sydney loved playing on the "turf" fields, even though it made for extremely hot conditions. Sydney did a great job in her tournament, scoring 2 goals. As parents, it is fun to watch both of our kids learn new things and have new experiences. Both of our kids have decided that they want to try and take their soccer skills to the next level. They both will be trying out for KC Fusion teams next week. Soccer has become KING in our home. Who woulda thought?

KU Spring Game

Today, we went to the KU spring game. Marshall and Sydney participated in the morning football clinic. They both had a great time doing "drills" with the KU players on the practice field. After the clinic, Moriah enjoyed her first time in a "bounce house" and even got a helmet at the bike rodeo. During the game, we sat directly in front of Kevin Young (basketball player). Marshall shook his hand and told him that he enjoyed watching him play this season. It was a great day! The weather was perfect and everyone had a blast.

It has begun...

Today, Marshall and Sydney played their first soccer games of the season.

Marshall played first and his team started the season with a win. Marshall's team worked together and numerous players were able to score. For his effort, Marshall was rewarded with 3 goals and 2 assists. The game was an excellent way to start the season.

Sydney played at 4pm this afternoon. Sydney has joined a new team this season. She has moved to a more "elite league". Sydney has enjoyed making new friends and is having fun, finding her role on her new team. Sydney's game was outstanding. Not to be outdone by her brother, Sydney scored a personal best 5 goals.

Obviously, Shauna and I are very happy that they both scored today; however, we are most proud of their attitude, sportsmanship, and teamwork. They both understand what playing team sports is all about.

It was a great day!

Sterling

Spring Break 2012

Our family had a very busy Spring Break this year. Of course, we took our yearly Spring Break trip to Jamesport, MO. We also spent a couple of days in Oklahoma City. Marshall and I attended an Oklahoma City Thunder game. The girls enjoyed OKC by doing lots of shopping. After we were done in Oklahoma, we traveled to Springfield so we could eat at Lambert's Cafe. We all reminisced about the last time that we were at Lambert's. It was 2 years ago, we informed the kids that they would having a baby sister. We wrapped up our week by attending the Sporting KC home opener. With 7 days and 1400 miles in our rear view mirror, everyone returned to school. It was great to have the week to spend together. We made many memories and already have ideas for Spring Break 2013. Not to mention, we are all ready for SUMMER!

Sterling

MIZ-ZOU

Perhaps you shouldn't have been whining about your seed and the location where you had to play. You probably should have been focusing on beating #15 seed Norfolk State.

I guess being Big 12 Tournament Champs was enough. No need to make a run to the Final Four. Why bother, right? You idiot MIZZOU fans were to busy chanting "SEC" and booing Chuck Neinas to worry about the real tournament. Real classy!


Enjoy the SEC, losers!