It is not how big you are, it's how big you play.

It's a great time of year.  Summer is filled with sports of all sorts, and I for one am a big fan.  Our family has always been a soccer family first and foremost, but now with our new additions we are extending to sports of all kinds.  As my nieces and nephews get older, they are becoming more and more involved in sports and I get to enjoy it right along with them!  This past week, I got to watch a couple of gymnastics meets and then I followed it up with a soccer game.  Both sports hold a special place in my heart.  The first because I always wished I was a gymnast and the other I have played my whole life & am in love with it.  However, neither are easy to capture with my camera.  These are some of the better shots of the week.

My favorite Mini O (lympian) waiting for the meet to begin

Up first - Beam.  First in his rotation - must be because his last name starts with a B. Lucky or Unlucky? I'm not sure!

His best event - the bar.  He is crazy strong for his age. And seriously good too.

The Novice Olympian waiting for her turn - and boy did she not disappoint when it was her time!

She got a white ribbon on bars (3rd) - She did fantastic (and maybe even got a little robbed)

 

Patiently waiting for her turn on Beam.

TB rocked it out on the beam - earned herself a red ribbon (2nd highest). She totally stuck her dismount too.

She was determined to get the highest ribbon on floor. And like a true champion, her hard work paid off.  A blue ribbon it was.

Later in the week, we switch gears to soccer - where TB rocked again, even scoring a goal!  So proud!!

Heading towards goal - what a little star she is!  She's got some of that Meagher blood in her!

If I instill anything in her it will be this.  Offense scores goals, but Defense wins games!

I'm a true defender at heart!

Love this one - you can see a hint of a smile on her face

Such focus!

I couldn't resist this... SuperGirl came to watch the game! 

Fighting C.H.A.O.S. with Faith

This past weekend some friends that were passing through stopped by my sisters house for a little fun in the sun.  These two families were brought together over 7 years ago at one of God's greatest gifts - The Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey.  Both families were put to the test by obstacles they faced while pregnant.


My nephew Carter was diagnosed with Spina Bifida at my sisters ultrasound and they made the tough decision to undergo in-utero surgery, pack up their lives and head down to C.H.O.P for 4 months.  Faith was diagnosed with C.H.A.O.S. and her family made the similar trip down to Philadelphia to improve their daughter's quality of life.  


C.H.A.O.S. is an acronym for Congenital High Airway Obstructive Syndrome - only 13 babies (or so) in the world have ever been born and lived with CHAOS. An obstruction completely blocks the child's airway, effecting her diaphragm and Faith is the only baby in the world to have her obstruction attached / near her vocal cords.  At the age of seven she has had 35+ surgeries to open the airway and remove the obstruction.  However, none have been successful thus far and she embarks on her next surgery this fall for another 4 month stint away from home.


Both families are amazingly strong, and I feel so blessed to know them both, especially both Carter and Faith.  Two of the strongest, sweetest children I know.

Carter & Faith

What is more fun than water slides and pools - not much for these kiddo's! 

Beautiful, just simply beautiful.

Good thing TB had some extra bathing suits for the girls to borrow!

Oh, how I love this face - even when he is being stubborn and won't smile for me!

Someone had a lot of fun on the water slide!  Oops, he's a little to quick for me!

Sutton was just a bit exasperated by it all!

Please consider purchasing some of the below bracelets to help support Faith and her family. 

If you are interested please contact me (dmeagher22@gmail.com) and I'll point you in the right direction. 

(above photo courtesy of Melyca Waterman)

Silly, Sublime, Stolen Moments

Well one thing is for sure, there is no shortage of little cuties in my life for me to take pictures of! For some reason my lens (and my eye) is consistently drawn to capture the little stolen, silly, precious, breathtaking images that can only be generated by the innocence that comes with being young. 


Last weekend, I took a trip down to visit my sister and her family in NJ and of course had my camera there every step of the way.  I was able to snag some shots that I find absolutely adorable.  However, I may be biased as these are 3 of my favorite kids in the world!  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

The many silly faces of Miss Erin Marie

The Contemplative Ryan James

The beauty that is Shannon Denise

And of course I can't leave out the striking Murphy

This is one of my favorites of the whole trip

(he is laughing at his mom who was trying to catch his pitches)

 

I was able to catch Shannon's soccer game. She's a natural just like all us Meagher girls!

Erin is just too precious for words - and a ham to boot!

 

Baseball is America's favorite past time. And it happens to be one of Ryan's too.

He is quite the pitcher - I am so proud of him!

 Focus - Getting ready to steal third base.