Letterman Jacket

It arrived!! Allison has worked so hard to letter in 2 sports as a freshman and again in soccer as a sophomore.  She asked for this jacket as an early Christmas present and took great pride in it's design!

She has both sports embroidered, her jersey # inside the soccer ball, her graduation year and WSB patch on the front and sleeves.

I love the font she chose for our last name and think her quote suits her perfectly!

"She believes she could, so she did!"

And she looks so happy wearing it, which makes me smile too!

Surf College Cup

We spent Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Oceanside for the Surf College Cup.  Beautiful weather, tons of college coaches and lots of great soccer.  Allison wrote letters to a few college coaches prior to the tournament and was so excited that the Iowa keeper coach watched one of her games!

The team was also watched by Washington State, Cal Baptist and a few others.

 Allison was pleased with her play and wrote an email to the Iowa coach afterwards.

 He invited her to a prospect camp in February and is so excited to go! 

It's going to be a great way for her to see the competition she is up against to play college soccer, but I know she will do great!

Sunny and Allison have become so close on this team and can't wait to start playing together on varsity next week!

Thanksgiving Break

Taylor flew in for a few days over Thanksgiving break.

We went shopping with the Lebitski girls,  

 saw Wonder which we loved and

 ate dinner at Guadalajara.

 We enjoyed a nice family hike on Thanksgiving morning, although it was way too hot for November!

 We hiked up into the citrus groves 

and stopped at this ranch full of friendly horses.

Taylor saw a few friends and both girls enjoyed a little down time before the stresses of finals.  We hated to send her back to Kansas, but Taylor will be home for a month in just 19 days!

Welcome to California

My cousin Anna lives in Rochester, NY and flew into SD today for a work trip.  I picked her up at the airport and took her to Cafe Coyote to experience her first ever California Burrito!  She loved it and it was fun getting a chance to visit.  We drove along the coast for a bit before I had to drop her at her hotel in La Jolla.  Welcome to California!

18

We've celebrated your birthday with rubber ducks, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Dora The Explorer, chef hats, a surprise trip to Knott's Berry Farm,

a pop star mystery dinner, sleepovers and pool parties.  I wish we didn't have to celebrate this one 1,500 miles apart,

but I know you are right where you are supposed to be!  Happy 18th Birthday Taylor!  I love you so so much!

KU BASKETBALL IS HERE!

Taylor attended her first game at Allen Fieldhouse!  This is one of the greatest traditions at KU and one she has been so excited about.  From getting lottery numbers, to camping out, to making your newspaper cone and throwing confetti...she is happy to finally take part in all of the traditions!

She's Permitted

After months of online training and practice tests, Allison passed her permit test at the DMV this morning!  She is officially permitted and now gets to be our chauffeur, as she practices for her behind-the-wheel test in 6 months.

Great job Allison!!

New Orleans Day #8

It's our last day in New Orleans, but we had enough time to drive up to Baton Rouge to tour LSU.  We first stopped for coffee and pastries at Willa Jean

 and then drove the hour to campus.  It was lined with trees and ponds and really was a pretty place.  

 LSU fans are passionate about their football team and they have a very cool stadium!

They bleed purple and gold!

 They even have a tiger enclosure for their mascot!

 We visited the Fan Shop and walked through the campus.  I loved the architecture, the open quads and the landscape that surrounds.

Now off to the airport after a wonderful week!

New Orleans Day #7

Today we walked over 9 miles, but didn't take many pictures has we made our way through the city.  We started back in the Garden District for Matt to see Lafayette Cemetery.

Then we walked along Magazine Street 

and I found the cutest little sweet shop Sucre!

We walked about 3 miles to get to the highly recommended Johnny's for shrimp po' boys (worth the walk!).

Then lastly one final walk through Bourbon Street.  It was Halloween weekend so the craziness was crazier than normal, but we were out of there before dark.  Our feet were done after what Matt called "our death march", so we actually ordered pizza and stayed in the hotel to watch college football and rest our feet!

New Orleans Day #6

Everyone else headed home, but Matt and I stayed through the weekend to celebrate our 20th Anniversary.  Today we were back in the car with no real agenda, but to see some more of the gulf coast.  We drove along the water..spotting several bayous (even saw a baby alligator)

 and loved all of the colorful homes on stilts that line the waterways.

 We crossed several unique bridges along the way into

 Mississippi!  Our first time in this state!

Our first stop was Bay St. Louis, MS.

 We walked out along the fishing pier

 and had lunch at this cute place...The Blind Tiger.

 Back in the car to drive along the water to see gorgeous waterfront homes 

 and miles of white sand beaches through Long Beach and Gulfport, MS.

We spotted this cute coffee shop in Gulfport 

and then fell in love with Pop Brothers across the parking lot.  A husband and wife retired and opened up this popsicle shop.  They had over 100 flavors and Matt and I each tried 2 while talking to the owner.  They now have 3 locations and we think they need to come to SD!  Maybe we will open one!

Then back on the 10 for the trip back into Louisiana.  It was a great day exploring and stumbling upon cute little spots!