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!!

Falls Sport Rally

Tonight was the GOHS Fall Sports Night Rally.  Allison's field hockey team was being recognized, Taylor's was working it with her WSB class and Matt and I volunteered at Allison's team booth.

 We were there early to set up the pop up and get everything ready to sell hot dogs, chips and drinks.

 I prepped food and took orders and Matt grilled hot dogs.  We sold all 144 hot dogs and almost all of the chips and drinks for a successful first team fundraiser!

 It was great sharing in the event as a family!

Taylor worked with WSB and this SPIRIT can picture made it on to the home page of the GOHS website!

The field hockey girls were called out along with water polo, tennis, football, cheerleading, cross country and a few others I may be forgetting. Allison loved getting loud cheers from all of her WSB buddies too!

She is looking so cute in her new uniform and is excited for a fun season of field hockey!!  Thanks for the pictures Taylor :)

OC Kickoff Classic Champions!

I was in Irvine all weekend for Allison's tournament.  They had 2 games on Saturday and won 3-1 and 3-0, with several girls scoring and great teamwork!

They were back at it Sunday morning with a 6-0 win to advance to the afternoon championship.  They played Golden State and although it wasn't their best soccer, they won 3-0 to take home the title.

These girls are growing so much as players and really connecting on and off the field.  They scored 15 goals and only gave up 1 and played some great soccer!

Way to go Arsenal!!

Senior Spot

One of the perks of being at senior at GOHS is getting to paint your senior lot parking spot.  Taylor and her friends all got spots next to each other and spent the morning painting their designs.  She went with her love of the Hawaiian islands.  

I think it turned out great!  I also loved that the freshman spent last weekend prepping the spots and Allison got to prep Taylor's.  Fun little connection!

Back when Taylor was a freshman, her group of friends all took this picture on the day they prepped the senior spots.

Today they recreated the same photo as seniors! Still great friends, but so many changes in just a few years!