Touring KC

Matt loaded up his truck this morning for his road trip home and Allison and I had most of the day free before our flight home tonight.  We decided on a day at the KC Zoo to do something fun and keep us from dwelling on yesterday's goodbye.

What a cute zoo! We spent a lot of time watching the very busy young orangutan play with his mom. 

 Allison fed the goats

 and we saw several turtles, snakes and birds.

 We watched the interactive presentation with the elephants and saw kangaroos grazing in an open area of the zoo.

By early afternoon it was getting really humid.  We crossed the suspension bridge to visit the gorillas and then called it quits.  I would like to get back here sometime to see some more!

Before heading to the airport, we stopped at the Firefighter's Memorial Fountain and looked up a good place for ice cream.

We parked the car, but spotted this donut shop right across the street.  We couldn't decide between the two so sampled both!

We shared a doughnut from the Doughnut Lounge and get scoops of ice cream at Westport Ice Cream.

Now off to the airport...

Move In Day

Well move in day was finally here!  We were up early for the 7:30am check in at Ellsworth residence hall.  Taylor got her key while we unloaded the car.  We were pretty organized with everything in suitcases and all of the Target purchases stuffed into her storage containers which made the process pretty easy.

Emma doesn't move in until Wednesday so it was up to us to determine the layout of the room.  We peeked in on a few others for ideas, but eventually came up with a set up that seemed to work!  They are right across from RA and the women's bathroom and on the main level so no need for the elevator or stairs!

Matt moved all of the furniture to get Taylor's bunk to the right height  and put her desk next to it. I helped make the bed while Taylor filled her drawers and hung her California flag, lights and pictures.

She got her shower caddy and desk organized

while Allison hung everything in the closet.

 Emma will be bringing the fridge and microwave, so we filled the cabinets with dishes, silverware and cleaning supplies.  I think they will really like having the sink!  Emma will also bring an area rug and tv which will make it homier!

We took a quick walk through Daisy Hill to see the other buildings 

and made a quick stop at Mrs. E's, where Taylor will eat a lot of her meals.

 Andrew stopped by to check out the room and we had a quick lunch together at Cane's before heading to the greek life meeting.

 The meeting was held in Budig Hall...such a beautiful building on Jayhawk Blvd!

 Taylor attended the student session and the 3 of us attended the family session to learn all about recruitment week.  She is going to have so much fun this week, but she will be busy!

 Then it was off to Mass St. for one last dinner at Limestone. It was a special time for all of us that I will cherish...lots of stories and smiles.  The goodbye didn't hit me until we started driving back towards the dorm.  I cried as I drove and reached back and held Taylor's hand until we pulled in.

 We took one last family picture

and said our goodbyes inside her room.  I've had anxiety about this moment for months and can't believe I had to let me baby go.   She is so happy and so beyond ready, but it felt like I had been punched in the gut.  It literally felt like I couldn't catch my breath for a few hours.  She is off to do great things and I'm sure it will get easier with each phone call, text or update, but for now it hurts!

2 months until I see her again...one day at a time!

Clinton Lake/Rock Chalk Park

It was perfect timing to have the University of Iowa Hawkeyes in town to play Kansas in women's soccer today.  We stopped on Mass St. to get Allison a shirt and took a quick drive out to Clinton Lake before going to the game.  This is a great spot for picnics, hikes or some boating.  

 I'm hoping Taylor will have a chance to spend some time out here during the school year!

 We spotted the Iowa bus in the parking lot of Rock Chalk Park.  Tough to say who Allison will be rooting for!

 It was a beautiful day and an awesome venue for soccer.  It was great for Allison to see the pace of D1 soccer and the strength of the goalkeepers.  

 The Hawkeyes pulled out the win, but it was a close match between the 2 schools.  

This will surely get Allison thinking about her soccer/college future.  She plans on writing emails to both coaches about her experience!

Giving Allison the Tour of All Things KU

This morning we had some time to give Allison the tour of KU.  We drove down Jayhawk Blvd, visited the Student Union and looked at the sorority/fraternity houses.  We parked the car to take a look through our favorite spot...Allen Fieldhouse.

 The doors were open so we had a chance to actually walk in and view all of the championship banners.  Taylor can't wait to start going to the games here and I am determined to get tickets to at least one!

 When Matt visited in February, the museum entrance was closed so he got a chance to check it out for the first time too!

 We had lunch at the Oread and went up to the 9th floor for a view of campus.  Matt and Allison went to Leawood to do some shopping and Taylor and I headed back to KC to pick up Andrew at the airport.

We met back up for dinner at Papa Keno's on Mass St. with the Simon's.  They will be of great comfort to me as I know they are always just a phone call away if Taylor needs anything!  She may even get invited to a Sunday dinner at their house once in a while :)

And So It Begins...

I shed some more tears on the plane and in line at Chick-Fil-A in the Dallas airport (Taylor just laughed at me), but we arrived safely in Kansas City ready to help get this girl settled into her new home.  No more tears for now!

The dorm room shopping list was extensive and took about 2 hours to complete

 but I think we beat the majority of students to the Lawrence Target and got all but 3 or 4 things on our list.

Matt arrived at the hotel within an hour or two of our arrival and helped us get everything to fit into our hotel room.  It will be crowded in there until move-in day, but happy that step is out of the way!

Final Goodbyes

I shed a lot of tears over the last few days.  Packing up all of her bedding, clothes and shoes...

 one last visit with Andrew's cat Kira...

 a goodbye dinner with sweet Jenna

and this final Snapchat post got me good.  The only thing getting me through is her excitement to get to Kansas.  She has waited a long time for this and she is antsy to get going.  Heading out in the morning :(

Saying Goodbye

The week of goodbyes has begun and we planned a special beach day with the Lebitski ladies.  They have been dear friends for most of the girls' childhood and we have shared so many memories with them. 

 We spend the whole day sharing stories, laughing through games of Catch Phrase and getting lunch at Board and Brew.

 Love these girls so much and will sure miss having them all together.

 Friends for over 9 years and not a single fight...they don't have to see each other every day to pick up right where they left off!

 Finished the night with a BBQ  at sunset

and a delicious spread of food.  Off to college they go...

20th Anniversary!

It has been 20 years since this amazing night!

I don't think we could have ever predicted where life would take us 20 years later, but blessed with where we are, what we have experienced and what we have to look forward to in the future!

Tonight we celebrated with dinner at 1909

 and a walk around Old Town.  We have a busy week with work, Matt's road trip and leaving for Kansas, so looking forward to a better celebration in October when we spend the week in New Orleans!

I followed the "platinum" 20-year items and got Matt a new engraved Buck knife and this desk plaque which is something he says on almost a daily basis and is a running joke at work too!

Happy 20th Matthew!  Love you!