Sunday, May 31, 2009

Leila Has a New Team

When I was at Debbie's photography workshop in Michigan two weeks ago, I missed Leila's four soccer tournament games. I failed to share with you that her team won first place for the second season. Woo hoo!! I know I wasn't thrilled with Leila playing on two teams this spring (and our lives revolving around soccer 5-6 days/week!), but the additional coaching really paid off. Leila really enjoys soccer, but got a late start compared to most of her peers. While they were playing soccer, she was into gymnastics. We saw a huge improvement in her soccer skills the past two months... just in time for tryouts last week. I'm thrilled to say she made a great U9 team for the fall. (The one we were hoping for!) This afternoon she had uniform tryouts for her new team. (Her new uniform colors are black and white. I will miss her pretty blue and yellow ones. :( Do you hear my husband cringing in the background? LOL) After we placed the order for all her new gear, we headed to watch the girls' U16 team play.

I used Matt Kloskowski's Surreal Edgy Lightroom preset on all of these. You may notice I added a watermark - the first two letters in each of the girls' names. We talked quite a bit at Debbie's workshop about watermarking. It's not that I think my photos are that great, but I don't want them to be used elsewhere without my knowledge since I just started posting publicly on Flickr. I've had one photo of mine "stolen" (that I know of) and I don't want it to happen again - especially when most of them are pictures of my girls.

Lovely Mia

I love how the bleachers created a sunbeam effect in Mia's eyes.

Reflections

Fortunately, soccer is the ONE competitive sport that I really love to watch. I didn't know that until Leila started to play, but I really get into this game. Leila, Nolan and I really enjoy watching soccer. Unfortunately, Mia still climbs up and down the bleachers. But, she was pretty funny to photograph all over the place.

In the Action

Sliding the Rails

Soccer Time Out

Best buds... better make room for a third!!!

Best Buds

The Glare

Leila and Mia found a new friend on our way out of the game.
Leila, Mia & the Dog
Have a great week!! I hope I'm posting soon with a TA!!

10 comments:

Jill said...

Hi Michelle!
BEAUTIFUL photos!
Congrats to Leila for making the soccer team she wanted!!
Hugs, Jill

Ohilda said...

I love these pictures, Michelle!!!! And yippeeeee for Leila's huge accomplishment.

JG said...

I love the pictures! The close-up of her eye is amazing :)

LaLa said...

Oh I love these...congrats to Leila too!! You have a pretty watermark...don't know that AnCo would be as nice : )

Nicole's Mom said...

I love to see the photo's you take of your Beautiful girls.

Anonymous said...

Congrats Leila!!! Beautiful pictures Michelle - love the style and love your watermark - it is so cute with the girls' names incorporated.

Hugs, Ashley

PS - Hope you don't mind that I took you "hugs" closing. I feel I want to say more than just, Ashley!

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

You did an awesome job with these pictures.....the processing is fantastic!!

Congrats to Leila on making the team.......you must be so proud of her!!

Marla said...

Wow, super cool pics!! And way to go Leila!!!

Have a great week!

Stacy said...

Congrats Leila! How exciting to be on a new team..despite the color of the jerseys - ha! Love the photos...

Ivy Shaffer said...

Loving this new preset Michelle. Gorgeous photos and actions shots. Love your watermark, it's pretty!

Glad you had so much fun with Debbie, she's incredible and looks like you've already put what you've learned to work:))

Nice job.