Homecoming 2016

Although these two beauties had different venues for pictures and dinner, we did a few pics at home before they went their separate ways.

Leslie did Allison's hair and she looked so pretty all dolled up!  She was so excited for her first high school dance and a fun day with friends.

 Taylor looked so classy in her dress and was ready for a fun night at her last homecoming dance.

Matt and I sure got lucky with these girls and are so happy they get to spend this year together!

 I had gone over earlier in the day to help the moms set up for Allison's event. The Walker's hosted pictures and dinner at their beautiful home in the wine country.

We decorated in the theme of the dance...The Great Gatsby.

Once all of the kids arrived, we did pictures first.  Allison has made a wonderful group of friends since school started and she is so happy!

Macy, Maddy, Jake, Adam, Dayna, Maddy, and Carson

Dayna's dad let the kids use his truck for some fun photos!

After pictures, they went inside to have Chipotle bowls.  They had a great time as a group and then headed off to the dance.  Allison came home raving about the night.  Her smile said it all!

Taylor's group of 47 attempted pictures at Galway Downs, but there was a wedding going on so they had to head over to Claire's for pictures and dinner.  I captured this cute one with Jacob and Vanessa before I had to rush over to Allison's group.

Parker and Nathan are two of Andrew's best friends and wanted to take this picture with Taylor to send to him...so sweet!

 Jacob and Jenner

 Taylor and Drew have been friends since they were toddlers!

 Taylor and her date, Devan :)

College, College, College

Taylor is in the thick of college applications!  It has created a rollercoaster of emotions, but she has worked very hard for a great GPA, fantastic ACT score and to perfect her application essays.  I know it will all pay off for her, but the process has been taxing to say the least!

After a lot of college tours, college fairs, counselor recommendations and personal research, I think she has finalized a list of 7 (at least for now)...UC Davis, SDSU, Cal Poly SLO, Purdue, Kansas University, University of Alabama and Baylor.

And today she got her 1st acceptance!  Kansas University sent this fun email.  The subject line said "Are You Sitting Down?".  She was super excited!  She also saw that she has been accepted to Alabama on her personal "Bama Page".  She will finish the rest of the apps over the next few weeks and then take some time to make a decision.  So proud of her!

Homecoming Spirit Week

It's Homecoming Spirit Week at GOHS!  The girls had lots of fun with the themes this week!

 Monday...Jersey Day

 Tuesday...Tacky Tourist Day

Taylor got a fun surprise today!  With Andrew away at college, Devan asked Taylor to be her date...with Jamba Juice and a cute sign too!

Wednesday...80's Workout Day

Thursday...Country Club Day

"Big Girl" Haircut

After years of trying to have cute, long hair, Taylor realized it's just not meant to be.  The longer she lets it go, the stringier it gets.  So she found a local stylist online, brought in a few pics and ended up with this adorable cut!

She loves it and it suits her so well.

She has gotten a lot of compliments and is enjoying how healthy and sassy it looks!

Valley Center Tournament

We spent much of today at Valley Center High School watching Allison's team playing in a field hockey tournament.  It was hotter than heck, but we have enjoyed watching and learning a new sport.

Allison started in all 3 games and did a good job passing and moving the ball.  They won 1 game and lost 2, but they continue improving and building the program.  

Blessed!

So the struggle has been real!  The emotional roller coaster that is senior year and college applications is sometimes overwhelming.  Taylor is in such a blessed position to have so much opportunity when it comes to choosing a school, but she is scared of making the wrong decision and picking out what her next move will be. One minute she comes to us asking for advice and the next, she is accusing us of nagging her. I am confident that she will "take care of business", but it is also hard to let go.  After a rough night last night, Matt, Allison and I received this text from her today.

I think it was just what we all needed to re-group and find the joy and love in this process.  As Matt commented back to her, it was just like a giant "family group hug"!  Feeling beyond blessed and lucky to have such a wonderful crew to call my family!

SDSU Game/Sky Show

We took Grandpa Al to the SDSU vs. New Hampshire football game tonight.  It was the first game of the season and SDSU is looking to have a great year!

 We got seats up high since after the game will be the KGB Sky Show and it also made a great view for the game!  

The Aztecs were big winners with a 31-0 win

 and the Sky Show was amazing.  All of the classic rock music was sequenced to represent a full day in San Diego. Both the music and the fireworks

were spectacular and it was a fun night out with the family!

SPIRIT WEEK

This was the first SPIRIT Week of the school year to get ready for the first home football of the season. 

Tuesday kicked off with Superhero Day!

 Wednesday was Decades Day!

 Thursday was Wacky Tacky Day!

 They finished off the week with Red Wave Day!

 Taylor was so proud other work painting Parker's beard!

Allison and Macy have become such close friends just like their big sisters!

Matt and I took Alan to the game Friday night and met up with Wendy, Feliza and Matt. 

The girls got Rubio's after school (love that they are doing so much together) with their friends and then got in line early for the Red Wave.  Taylor got front row and said it was the best night EVER!  

 Allison loved her first experience in the Red Wave and is so happy to be at GOHS.

One last pic of Taylor, Lexi and Vanessa before getting covered in red and blue powder.  Great Oak won big over MLK and it was a fun night for all!!