Happy Halloween

It was tough getting into the Halloween spirit with it falling on a Tuesday and a busy schedule, but we managed to "drill" some pumpkin designs

 for the front porch.

 Allison also dressed up for school

with a group of friends as frat boys...ha ha!  I hope those red solo cups were empty on campus!

Halloween Work Bash

Matt and I attended a Halloween Bash with several of his co-workers.  We weren't very creative with our costumes, but did alright with a day's notice!

 There were some that put a lot more effort in

and it was nice getting to meet all of the people Matt works with.

Jesse goes all out with his party each year.  He built this awesome battleship-type game using beer shots instead of ships

 and festive shots in syringes that didn't look to appetizing!  

Glen Ivy Ladies Day

SDSI spoiled us today with  a great girl's day out at Glen Ivy Hot Springs!

We spent hours in the mud bath,

 sipped on cocktails,

ate a tasty lunch

and shared a relaxing afternoon in several of the different pools.  I love working and playing with these ladies!

Gotta Love the Companion Pass

Thanks to a free companion pass on Southwest, I spent the weekend in Lawrence while Allison was at KWU!  I worked at McLain's while Taylor went to class and then joined her for her Ambassador lunch at the Oread.  

 Then it was off to the Hawk and the Bull for Friday "free beer"!

 She has the sweetest friends!

 I went on a pretty hike at Clinton Lake Saturday morning while Taylor volunteered for the Endowment Board.

 We met up at Allen Fieldhouse to watch KU Women's Volleyball play Iowa State.

 Andrew and Taylor were good sports waiting in line in the freezing cold with me at Joe's KC BBQ.  Well, Andrew sat in the car for part of it since he wore shorts!! It took almost 2 hours to eat BBQ at a gas station,

 but it was so worth it!  

 Sunday morning we tried out a new spot called Top Golf in Overland Park.  Such fun!

 We are a competitive bunch and didn't stand a chance against Andrew, but the weather was perfect and Taylor and I improved as the day went on.  

I had to leave a little early to pick up Taylor and Keilani at the airport, but it was such a great weekend!

KWU Visit

Allison received an offer to go on an "official visit" to KWU this weekend!

 Her friend Keilani from Arsenal soccer days received one too so she traveled with us.

The girls were picked up at KC airport by Coach Matty who drove them to Salina for the weekend.

They stayed in the dorms with the players, attended practice and video sessions and ate their meals with the team.  Allison also got special keeper training with Coach Henrich that she really enjoyed.

They also had time to tour Salina, attend a host family birthday party and meet some of the boy recruits.  

I met them back at KC airport Sunday afternoon.  They were starving so we talked about the weekend over lunch at Jack Stack's BBQ.

I showed around KC a bit too before we needed to be back at the airport for our flight...World War 1 Memorial,

 Union Station

and shopping at Country Club Plaza! I think they both really liked KWU and will wait for their offers to come in!

Turning 44

We woke up before the sun came up to rain pounding on our tent! I loved the sound of it!

Happy Birthday to me!  Matt was super cute and packed this birthday hat and necklace for me to wear.

 We packed up camp and stopped at the River Rock Coffee Co for scones and coffee for our drive home.

 We arrived home to a decorated house (thank you Allison!)

and gifts.  Taylor even had an orchid delivered!

And it wouldn't be a Happy Birthday to me without my favorite mint chip ice cream cake!  It was a great weekend and I felt incredibly special and blessed!  

Zion Day #3

Today was my bucket list hike...The Narrows!  We first took the shuttle to stop #9 and walked along the .75 mile Riverwalk Trail.

 This is the spot park goers decide if they are going to brave the cold water and trip upstream or just watch from the comfort of the landing.  We were all in!

 The river was a crisp 62 degrees and froze my toes to the point of hurt and then total numbness.  It was easy to forget about cold feet when the views were this spectacular and it took all of our focus to not slip on huge rocks and maintain our balance.

 For the first bit of the hike, there were spots to stop on land to grab a snack, a quick breather or pull the camera safety out for a photo op.

 As went further on the crowds lessoned, the rocks walls seemed to grow taller and the current was stronger.  

 We were just in awe the whole time and just couldn't believe we were actually here!

 Such an amazing experience and one I hope to do with the kids someday!

As we walked back to the campground, the rain clouds loomed over head.  So glad we did the Narrows today as rain shut it down for the next few days due to a flash flood risk.  We were back at camp long before sunset and grilled hot dogs for dinner.  It was too windy for a campfire, but almost too warm anyway.  We just put our feet up and relaxed into the night...