There's No Place Like Home (Away from Home)

We arrived at Taylor's adorable house just in time for the IKEA delivery on Tuesday.  Unfortunately, all doors were locked and we were stuck on the porch with all of the boxes, blazing heat, hungry bellies and grumpy attitudes.

 After a few hours at the hotel, the landlord was able to have maintenance unlock the door and we were back in business.  A story we can laugh at now, but that was a rough start!

When we were let in, we were so excited to see all of the cute stuff her roommates had already moved in...newly upholstered couches,

 their very own bar with personalized cups printed with their address

 and coffee mugs with each girls' initials!

 After a few days of assembling furniture and lots of shopping trips, Taylor's room was complete!

 She loves having two closets, a ceiling fan, her own desk and just space to call her own.

Large kitchen with tons of storage

 Really pretty staircase and entry

Multiple entrances, a cute patio, parking for each of the 5 girls and a quick walk to town and campus. Enjoy it Taylor!!

Kansas or Bust Day #3

We left New Mexico this morning, crossed into Texas,

had to pass several semi trucks on this very long 2-lane road, saw lots of containers just like these

 and spotted this crazy cowboy as we passed into the panhandle of Oklahoma.

Not much to see here either and only stopped long enough for a bathroom break.  We arrived in Liberal, Kansas for the night...only to run from a thunderstorm and spot several cockroaches (or water bugs as the hotel referred to them) in our hotel.  We couldn't get out of there fast enough and didn't even feel like the stop was photo worthy!

Kansas or Bust Day #2

We left Scottsdale after breakfast with Karla and Andrew.  We drove through Payson, AZ and watched the landscape change from cacti, to pine trees to red rock mesas as we made our way into New Mexico.

After a 6 1/2 hour drive we made it to the Sandia Resort in Albuquerque, NM for the night.

It was a beautiful casino/hotel right along the golf course.

We drove down to Old Town Albuquerque for dinner and to stretch our legs a bit.

 Prickly Pear Margaritas 

 and Carnitas Nachos on the back patio for an authentic New Mexican meal

 at Backstreet Grill!

We did a quick drive through the campus of University of New Mexico

and got comfy back in the room before getting a good night's sleep.

Kansas or Bust Day #1

Taylor and I took off early this morning for the 1500 mile drive to Lawrence, KS.

Hugs goodbye to Matt and Allie and then on our way to Arizona with a packed car.

We stopped for lunch to see the Raissle's (forgot to get a picture)

and then spent our first evening in Scottsdale with Karla and Andrew.  We stayed at her new house and had a delicious Italian dinner at North in Kierland Commons.  

It was nice seeing several familiar faces today and breaking up the drive!

Lindsey and Taylor

Tonight we celebrated the marriage of Lindsey and Taylor at the Rancho Bernardo Inn.

It was a lovely outdoor ceremony on the lawn

 and they both looked great and so happy!

 Parents of the groom and our sweet friends, Tim and Stacy

The groom's side of the family.

After a outdoor cocktail hour, we moved inside for the reception...a wonderful dinner and dancing and cotton candy for dessert.  Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Joyce!  

22 Years

We celebrated 22 years with dinner at 1909!

 Smoked Wild Boar with veggies and a Mac's Mule

Matt got me flowers, donuts and candy and I got him copper (traditional theme for 22 years) Moscow Mule cups and the ingredients to make them.  Cheers to 22 years!

Grandma and Papa Visit

Grandma and Papa came down for a few days to visit before Taylor heads back to school.  Grandma watched some of Allie's soccer and we enjoyed a few meals out with Papa. 

 We had a nice lunch at Southcoast Winery 

a got some nice photos on their pretty grounds!

Visit with the Houston's

Scott, Elizabeth and Jack came down for a weekend visit and we packed a lot into a few days.  The girls met them at Legoland on Friday and then we went to Carlsbad on Saturday for a beach day.

Jack loved digging for sand crabs 

and building sand castles.

Saturday night we all went to see the new Lion King.  What a cute movie and Jack loved it!

Sunday morning we did an early trip to the park

 and cooled off with a quick dip in the pool before they had to leave for the airport.  We always enjoy the time together!!

A Girl and Her Pup

I'm not sure how Taylor is going to leave this pup in a few short weeks!  They have become the best of buddies.

Going to try and fit in a few more beach days before she leaves!

4th of July

It only took us 19 years to get to the Temecula 4th of July parade!

We found seats along a bench in front of 1909 and sat with the Host family.

The parade ran from archway to archway along Front St. and featured law enforcement agencies, local sports teams, politicians and some fun floats!

In the evening, we parked at GOHS and loaded everyone into the back of Allie's truck to watch the Pechanga fireworks.  They were actually terrible, but luckily we were able to see the Sports Park fireworks from the same parking lot and they were terrific!

Kansas Visitor

Taylor's friend from KU, Megan, came to visit us for a few days.  It was her first time in SD and Taylor was a great tour guide.  She took her to Little Italy, hiked Torrey Pines, watched World Cup in Encinitas and went to the beach in Carlsbad.  That was just Day #1!  Allie and I joined in for a tour of a few wineries and they also hiked Dripping Springs, did some shopping in Old Town, went to Jacob's 4th of July party and joined us for fireworks.  We really enjoyed our time getting to know her and I think she loved it here!