Kayda's Vegas Tournament

Kayda's team signed up as a "national" team which gave them the opportunity to go to Las Vegas for the national championship.  Kayda, Carson, Dad, and I flew down (Dillon went to South Dakota with Grandma and Papa G).  Grandma and Papa H actually met us there!  

She had 4 games each day between 3 and 9 Friday-Monday.  Then she went to the am wave the last day.  Her team won one set of one match ... It was rough.  However, Kayda was on the court the entire set of all but two sets (there are 2-3 sets in a match).  One of those she was put back in shortly to replace someone that was struggling. Another she was pulled out briefly.  She was quickly sent back in though because she was AMAZING.  She was everywhere she needed to be.  Passing well, serving well, hitting well.  She was the best player on the court (no this was not just our opinion).  She absolutely rocked it.  She had the 4 day clinic just before the tournament so she also had all that growth.  If we had more of her they would have won MANY more games.

We spent off time playing at the arcade, riding the rollercoaster, swimming, and trying to rest because of the late evenings and long stretches of time at the court.

Papa rode the rollercoaster with Carson and Daddy.  

Papa and Grandma got us tickets to see the blue man group.  It. Was. Amazing.   We had fun at the beginning under the blue lights, we all looked like part of the group until it started.  It was funny and loud!  There was one point Kayda and Grandma counted 35 marshmallows (only dropping one), caught in the mouth of ONE guy without obviously spitting them out.  Kayda thought maybe it was an illusion.  I personally think he swallowed some until he needed them to make "art" later.  They had a lot of really cool effects.  So glad we went!

Left to right, back: Lucy, Kaelyn, Reese, Kennedy, Emily, Kiera, Kaitlyn, Kayda

Left to right, front: Reba, Lauren, Sabrina

One of the moms has "tiny hands" she keeps in her purse, she let Carson borrow them.  It kept him very entertained.  He'd give high fives, cheer, wave, played catch with a mini-volleyball and managed to open a sucker... It was pretty entertaining to watch.

Kayda and Lauren

Daddy decided to use a buck in the slot machines... He managed to get 12 cents back... Not extra... Back.

Dinner at the Irish restaurant (do not recommend by the way).  

Side note: Vegas is NOT my bag of beans.  Smoke everywhere, casino lights, loud music and lots of people.  I kept getting lost in the casinos despite the signs (they suck) and it's just stressful watching the kids to and from the venue in that environment.   The only reason I'll go back is for kids sports or to visit Kayda's best friend that moved there... But we'd stay at their house and not go to the strip.