College Shopping

We sent Jenna off to her first day of school and then went to Target. We had a huge list, but even with the list, I kept thinking of other things.  We kept adding more and more. It's hard to see but there ARE two carts in the photo. I think we spent almost four hours there. I was exhausted.  The cashier asked if I was sad that she was leaving, and i told her I would be is I wasn't so tired at that moment! We still have more to do, but we've started with a huge chunk. I'm so glad to be working this fall to replenish the savings! Yikes!

She's A Sophomore!

And just like that, she's a sophomore! Cute hair, stylish make-up and fancy dress (it looked longer in the store, we promise), and she was off. Can't wait to see what this school year brings. We worked with the Guidance department at school, and Jenna has some great classes and teachers. And Jenna is already into high school volleyball season. Such an exciting time!

Last Day of Summer

Today was the last day of summer for Jenna. We had a great day shopping and ended the day shopping at Pacific City in Huntington Beach. We live in such a beautiful area.

Jenna's First HS Varsity Tournament

Jenna played in her first high school summer league game last week on 8/19, and today her team played in the Tustin Varsity Tournament. She did a great job setting, and we're really proud of her.

San Elijo Camping

This year's family vacation to San Elijo was special. Every year is special, but this was the last year with two "kids." Heather had turned 18, but she was still at home so-to-speak, and still a kid. When we return as a family, Heather will be an independent, adult human. While I sat on the beach I kept having flashing backs of the little people who used to run around on the beach in front of my chair and build sand castles for hours. Sniff, sniff.  Anyway, we brought Scarlet with us, and she loved the beach. We took her for walks and let her hang out around the campfire. She slept with Jenna, climbed up to give Kelly hugs and love the dog beach. We had to keep her on a leash which was a bummer because she would have galloped around forever. We took her to Besta Wan because they are dog friendly. She did great! You know, we had originally thought about saving up for a trip to Europe this past year because we were going to be celebrating Heather's graduation, her 18th birthday, my 50th birthday and our 30th wedding anniversary. But after talking about it for a bit, Heather decided she wanted to have her senior summer to be full of all the sentimental things she's loved over the years. San Elijo is one of those things, and we were so grateful to get a camping spot and to have so much fun together hanging out at the beach, playing games like Hearts, and sitting around the campfire.

Jenna's Volleyball Tryout Results

We are a little giddy around here for Jenna's upcoming volleyball season.  She attended club tryouts this weekend, and she secured a spot on Tstreet's 16-2's team. This will be a Gold division level team, and she is so excited to be a part of a competitive team like this.  To add to the excitement, the team rosters were posted today for the high school team, and Jenna made Varsity! There were already two setters (one from last year and the other a senior) so, she wasn't sure if she would have a spot. We're so happy to see her hard work pay off in these ways.  Way to go girl!

Sentimental Moments

August 2017

August 2003 - Sharing Ice Cream Truck with Sis

I heard the ice cream truck tonight and I HAD to grab some cash and call the girls to run out with me. They used to hear it during the summer and every now and then, we'd run out and catch it if it wasn't dinner time. Due to all the milestones and life changes coming up, I wanted to grab a piece of the past and be that mom with the little girls again running to catch the ice cream truck. These years flew by so fast. Oh my heart.

Grace's Graduation Party

Heather's dear friend, Grace, had a graduation party tonight. She was celebrating her graduation as well as her decision to attend Cal Berkeley in the fall. It was nice to go as a family and hang out. Jenna started an impromptu photo shoot against the back of the house since the color looked like it would make a good back drop. I love the photos she took.  Her love for Kelly and his happiness shows in that photo. Her beauty shines in the solo photos, and the happiness showing in the faces of the sisters is priceless.  The last one was of Heather, Grace and Kenzie. Friends since elementary school, and don't they glow? Can't wait to see these girls take on the world.

This Dog of Ours - Scarlet 5 Months

Scarlet does not care that the couches are made of leather, that she is a warm body or that it's 100 degrees in the house.  She wants her cuddle time. She is more cuddly than Sariah ever was. Sariah wanted to be near us, but not exactly on us. This dog wants to be connected to us. When winter comes and we're cold, that cuddly body heat will be nice.  We spent a lot of time camping with her this month. That post is under the San Elijo heading. We're enjoying her sweetness immensely.