EDP Spring Cup

Over Memorial Day weekend, we traveled to New Jersey for the EDP Spring Cup.  Emily's team did not quite have the success they had in the fall at this tournament - they won two and they lost two.  Emily played well on Saturday but she really lit it up on Sunday, playing some of the best soccer she's ever played, despite the heat (which normally is an issue for her).  She had a great time hanging out with all of her friends and she hopes that everyone on the team returns for next year.

Our traditional photo going over the Tappan Zee bridge.  Which we've taken more times than I can remember during this 2018-2019 soccer season.

Besties just chilling out.

Bodybuilder breakfast....

I was so proud of Emily's effort here, trying to score on a header off of a corner kick.  The ball ended up not in the goal, but at the foot of a teammate (not pictured) who immediately scored.  It doesn't matter how the ball ends up in the net, all that matters is that it goes in.

Snacking between games.  She was so annoyed that I made her wear a hat.

Love this team.

Some of my favorite people.

She wanted to score so badly, she could taste it.  Alas, it was not meant to be.

The Dirty Jerz

As we do for most away tournaments, Emily and I drove with Kate and Abby.  We timed our Friday drive perfectly, so it only took four hours to get to Absecon; we were not as lucky on Sunday night, driving for 5 1/2 hours to get home.  In between, we drove 35 minutes from our hotel to each game, as well as to Atlantic City for dinner.  Why not?
I have to say, we've been to New Jersey for tournaments several times, but always the northern part of the state. Driving that far south was not fun and aside from the turf farm where the games were played, the area we were in was desolate and unattractive.  But when you are with your friends, you can have fun anywhere.

Obligatory selfie from the backseat as we started out. 

Obligatory selfie on the Tappan Zee Bridge. 

Friday night dinner - adding bestie Meg and her mom to the mix. 

Philly cheesesteak fries after the second game on Saturday.  She ate every single bite. 

Did you actually go to the tournament if you didn't get the sweatshirt? 

The whole team got these sweatshirts, including their name and number.  Happy kids all around. 

Atlantic City Boardwalk. 

These are my people. 

Dinner at Margaritaville. 

Ready to rock and roll on Sunday morning - reading while we waited to pack up to car. 

Our usual position at every game - with the opposing team parents. 

Last rest stop on the Garden State Parkway.