Team Christmas Party/Sleepover  -  Port Huron, MI
12-22-07:  "What a tangled web we weave."  A very tangled web indeed.  The coaches and volunteers, using miles of yarn, weaved it, then the gymnasts had to untangle it to find their gifts at the end of their strings.  A great time of climbing, crawling, twisting and trying to figure out how to untangle "that mess" preceded the evening's festivities.
     Some of the festivities included the obligatory fort building, pit/tramp jumping, boys .vs girls keep-away, big 'sis little 'sis, the catwalk (meeooww!), turkey on the roof, and food, food, food.  But the evening was highlighted when one coach whacked-nostalgic and donned the straps for the 1st time ever!
     What happens when a retired gymnast (20+ years out) decides to take flight again... for the 1st time?  Answer:  They make a hit movie out of it.  Check out what new Fly-Bird Productions feature film is coming out this Christmas, when "Max Air" takes flight!
     As always, click on the thumbnail pics to the left, to open up a flash-slideshow of the party.  If the movie files below are too large to open, then try downloading the complete file before viewing... right-click, then choose "save-target-as," and save it to your desktop.

Super Gigante! (4.4mb)
The NASTIX Family (7.3mb)
So Much Fun (1.6mb)
Me-Ooww! (1.7mb)

Optionals' Field Trip #5  -  Flint, MI
12-15-07:  "All Aboard!" The Huckleberry Railroad and Crossroads Village was the destination for the 5th and final Optionals' Field Trip.  The Christmas Season decorations were in full swing with plenty of people braving the pre-storm winter weather.  Amanda Stepp was the only Lady Flames participant to complete her requirements, thereby earning the chance to soak up some Holiday cheer. 

Christmas Classic  -  Westland, MI
12-8-07:  This past weekend the Lady Flames Optionals (8-9) participated in the 1st competition of their 2008 calendar, the Christmas Classic held at Michigan Academy of Gymnastics in Westland, MI.  Each year, the new combinations of gymnasts have to gel together in ways that make them more productive.  These bonds define each group's team-identity.  The level 8 team (consisting of 3 rookies & 5 vets) placed 4th on their way to finding an identity, led by K. Duemling (35.975).  L8 rookie, H. Manter, competing in her 2nd optional competition, ever (including L7), bested four of her more experienced teammates.  While the Level 8's look for ways to produce, the Level 9's appear to have found a way.  L9 National Competitors J. Leadbetter (2007) and A. Stepp (2006) have been joined with 2007 L8 Regional Champion C. Paeth.  These 3 girls make up a small, yet solid, group of determined athletes.  Leadbetter had been hampered by a physically exhausting illness during the month of November, which limited her training time and performance.  She competed bars and beam, and place 4th & 2nd respectively.  The rookie, C. Paeth, appeared slightly shell-shocked at the abilities of the competitors, but very determined to not let that dissuade her efforts.  She brought home the silver medal on FX.  The biggest surprise came from A. Stepp.  Who literally 'stepp'ed her way to the top of the All Around podium via a consistent event-to-event methodology.  Great work ladies!

Layout Stepp-out (1.0mb)

Optionals' Field Trip #4  -  Auburn Hills, MI
12-3-07:  "Deeeeetroit Baaasketbaaaalllll," was enjoyed by 5 Lady Flames as the Field Trip contenders slammed dunked their requirements for this opportunity.  The Pistons defeated the NJ Nets by 20 points.  Fun game to watch, even from the "nose-bleeds."

"Cha-Cha Reeeeal Smoooooth" (1.6mb)