Ryan and Casey plus 2

I am not sure any vacation will top our annual trip to Siesta Key.  What more could you ask for??  Sun, warmth, family, ocean and sooooo much laughter!!  Its such a nice break for all of us to just disconnect from work and school.  There is a lot of together time but also so relaxation time in there too.   It will be neat to look back on these memories with our girls because I still remember back to the days when I spent my Thanksgiving with my family on Sanibel Island.  What I wouldn't give to go back to those simple times with my grandparents -- such sweet memories!!! This week was the best weather week we've ever had, that I can remember anyway and to top it off this was the FIRST girl one of our girls wasn't on an antibiotic!!   Until next year Siesta....

Summer is our favorite but I think fall is close behind it with all the fun outside activities, cooler weather and pumpkin everything!!!!  We went to several pumpkin patches, parties and got way too much candy this year which made it more fun for the girls I think! This fall Whit enjoyed reading every spare second she had and Meredith got to have her very first "without mom" play dates.  She was also invited to her first school friend birthday party that was so exciting for her!

Both girls are at St. Columban this year, third grade and PreK!  We were all excited for the first day and there were NO tears!!    I just love our small community at St. Columban and the fact that Whitney's teacher was running towards her at drop off for a good morning hug; what a special feeling to be greeted that way upon arrival!  Meredith feels so grown up wearing a uniform and going to school five days a week.  She has surprised us all and taken to school really well.  Both girls have great friends and Ryan and I have really enjoyed getting to know their families. Heres to another great school year!!

Whit and I embarked on an awesome adventure this fall with volleyball.  I was the coach of her third grade team and it was a blast.  We had two - three practices a week plus a game or two every weekend.  The group of girls we had was amazing and honestly worked so hard.  I could not believe how well they were playing by the end of the season!!  We ended up winning the first place trophy in the end of the season tournament!!!  As a family we have gone to several XU womens volleyball games and are looking for more experiences to grow this winter and spring as a volleyball coach and player.  Little sister Meredith got in on the action because she was also at practice with us and actually got quite good!!  She is going to be one heck of a vball player when she gets to third grade!!