Walk of Gratitude

Great Oak started a new tradition this year called Walk of Gratitude.  The Seniors put on their caps and gowns, boarded busses and went back to their elementary and middle schools to thank their teachers and inspire the younger students! So special!

 Gigi and I met the busses up at Tony Tobin to experience it with Taylor and her friends.  This was my first time seeing her in her cap and gown...oh my goodness!

 Carson and Taylor have been classmates and friends since Tony Tobin!  He will be attending Dartmouth in the fall to play baseball!

Each class of students lined up outside their classrooms to high-five the graduates and cheer them on!  It was adorable!

I love the complete look of surprise on Ms. Williams face when she made eye contact with Taylor.  Taylor adored her 1st grade teacher and probably hasn't seen her since she left Tony Tobin.

Taylor and Summer gave her flowers and reminisced on their time in 1st grade.

Then she spotted Mrs. Atkinson who she had for 2nd, 4th and 5th!

They were able to rally a group of former classmates together for a picture in her now kindergarten classroom!

Last but not least was a visit to Ms. Taylor.  Although Taylor had her for kindergarten at Jackson Elementary, she now teaches at Tony Tobin.  

It was truly a wonderful event for the graduates, teachers, young students and parents.  Thank you to Tony Tobin for providing leis for each of the graduates as they arrived and for making them feel so special.  This is going to be one awesome new tradition!

Manchester City Cup

First tournament of the season for Allison and her '02 Arsenal girls!  They played in the Manchester City Cup at the San Diego Polo Fields.

Sporting new uniforms too!

The team faced challenges with scoring this weekend, but are coming together as a new group.  They tied 0-0 in their first game, lost 2-1 to Simi Valley, lost 4-0 against Hawaii and tied 0-0 against Surf.  Lots of great soccer, some nice saves by our keeper and a fun team bonding weekend, but hoping the goals will soon follow!

S.P.I.R.I.T. AWARDS

We learned a few weeks ago that Taylor had been awarded the 2017 Donn Witt Scholarship from the SD County Deputy Sheriff's Association.  This morning I got a call from GOHS stating that a representative from the Sheriff's Dept would be attending the SPIRIT awards tonight to present Taylor with her certificate and $4000 scholarship.

 We were honored to attend and thankful to the department for selecting her!

Proud of these girls!

WSB Banquet

 Tonight was the WSB banquet for both girls.  Only Senior parents get to attend so it was fun for the whole family!

 Grandpa Al was in town for a few days so he attended too.

 Allison has loved her time in WSB with this great group of friends and is excited to be WSB Sophomore class president with Macy next year!

 This group of Seniors have spent the last four years together in WSB, making so many memories!

The Seniors were awarded cords to wear at graduation and fleece blankets for their 4 years of WSB.  Mr. Skaggs gave sweet speeches about each of them and it was quite emotional!

Matt and I are so grateful for all WSB has instilled in our girls, the friendships they have made and the leadership skills they have gained.  We are grateful to Mr. Skaggs for the time and effort he puts into this program!

Voices Off Day

Allison is finishing up her 1st year of ASL at GOHS.  She has thoroughly enjoyed it, loves her teacher and has really found a passion for it. Today was "Voices Off Day"...a day to bring awareness, practice her skills and realize some of the challenges the deaf community faces each day.  It proved to be harder than expected to sign throughout the entire day (school, soccer, restaurants, etc), but Allison made a strong effort to accept the challenge.  She is looking forward to ASL 2 next year!

Dollars For Scholars

After completing an extensive application in the fall, Taylor was emailed an invitation to the Dollars for Scholars awards ceremony at TVHS.  This organization provides scholarships for students from all 3 high schools through local community donors.  Receiving an invitation ensured at least a scholarship, but it didn't give any hint of how much or from what donor.  

 As each scholarship was awarded, we realized quickly that this was an impressive group of students attending some of the most prestigious colleges in the country and who all had achieved amazing things during their high school years.

 Taylor was thrilled to earn a $2000 scholarship from TVSA (Temecula Valley Soccer Association).  It was even more exciting to be presented the award by our friend, David Guinn!

 She was also awarded a $1000 scholarship from the Temecula Rotary Club!

We celebrated Taylor and Lauren's awards with a treat at Yogurt Island afterwards.  Congrats girls!

Mother's Day

Nothing brings me greater joy than being a mom and I love spending Mother's Day with my family.  I don't need gifts...just a day together.  We had a nice breakfast at Richie's and then drove down to Solana Beach to try a new hike.

 The trail is called Annie's Canyon Trail and it was amazing! Views of the beach to the west and views of the lagoon to the east.  Lots of wildflowers everywhere too!

Then we reached the canyon and hiked up to the viewpoint.  We went up both ways...one along a trail

 and the other way up tiny cutouts in the canyon.  Matt and Allison got a little claustrophobic and backed out, but Taylor and I completed the hike up.

 We stopped in caves along the way

 and climbed a narrow ladder to the top.

 The preserve was just so beautiful!

We had a late lunch at the Encinitas Fish Cafe and stopped for donuts at Peterson's to fulfill my craving!

We couldn't resist one final stop at the Lebitski's to see their new puppy, Koby.  They just got him yesterday and he is the sweetest!!

I came home to some great gifts...gift cards, workout clothes, face masks, jewelry holder, kitchen stuff and this very thoughtful homemade "coupon" card from Allison.  I love that her WSB teacher said they weren't too old to make homemade gifts.  I loved it all and the special day!!

Senior Prom

Taylor's last high school dance!  She borrowed this gorgeous dress from Jenna and just looked so pretty!

 With Devan and Madison

 With Summer, Caitlin and Devan

A group of 60 met at Galway Downs for pictures.  It was a little chaotic, but the grounds were lovely.

 All of the girls looked stunning!

Then the groups split and Taylor's group went to Thornton Winery for more pictures.

I love that the big sisters are so close and the little sisters are now all friends too!

Jacob looked so handsome!

 Baby Roan is Taylor's favorite.  He is just so squishy and cuddly and she just can't get enough!

Then it was off to Garrett's for a trip-tip dinner cooked by his parents

before meeting the group of 60 back at Birdsall for the bus ride to Nixon Library.  Check out this bus...it was actually a semi-truck converted into a party bus.

Quite different from our prom limos!  Taylor said the dance was awesome and a perfect venue!