The Last of Summer

When we got back from our Summer trips, it was full steam ahead to get ready for school! I feel like school is starting earlier and earlier and it's really hard to let summer go. 

I took the girls to buy their school supplies! Which, it's a lot easier to shop for school supplies when they're out of elementary! I was so excited to have kiddos in middle and high school this year! 

We watched the opening ceremony of the Olympics, and of course these girls know that we stand for the national anthem- they just aren't so sure about the saluting part! 

I decorated for the start of football season. 

And we had DJ's staff and students over to kick off the year! We gifted each of them a travel bag full of Texas goodies! 

The table was set and we were ready for a preseason tailgate! 

We love being able to host his students and staff before the season starts! They put in so much work during fall camp and the entire season all while being college students! We are so thankfulf for them. 

One last date night before the crazy begins. 

And on our way home from college visits, Gretchen and I were able to stop and see Brandy, another coach's wife who just gets it! 

Then we were off to back to school nights! 

We also had a kick off pool party for the middle school cheerleaders! 

 

College Visits

About half way through the summer, I realized that we need to be going on college tours for Gretchen. I don't know if I was in denial or just thought we had plenty of time, but I kind of panicked one evening and booked a bunch of college tours for us! 

We started out with a tour of UMHB which is right up the road from us. She really wants to go out of state, but I was hoping (and still am) that she'd fall in love with something close to home!

We had the most amazing tour here and honestly she did really like it! 

Of course we had to visit the football field! 

As of right now, she's definitely applying here (honestly because I think our tour was just that good!) But her heart is set on going out of state...... so.....

Off to Oklahoma we went! 

We had to have dinner with old friends of course and we were so thankful that Connor and his mom were able to meet us at one of our favorite restaurants! Gretchen and Connor were besties in elementary school! 

His momma is pretty amazing too! 

The next day, we had a tour set up at Tulsa. 

It was a pretty full circle moment because she use to splash in these fountains as a little girl! Ever since we moved away, Tulsa has always been her number one school of choice. 

We finished out tour, did some sight seeing of our old houses and her old schools; did some shopping, and then... 

met more friends for dinner and roller skating!!!

We got back to my cousins house (we crashed with him) and Gretchen had a fever and didn't feel well. So we sadly, cancelled our Saturday plans with other friends. I let her sleep Saturday morning, she woke up fever free and rallied so we could explore downtown BA for just a bit. 

Then we headed to Arkansas to Gee's house! 

We spent the weekend at Gee's, had a tour at UCA since it's close to the grandparents.

And then drove back north to Fayetteville! 

The tour there was much more crowded! There was a large group of people. 

She saw Old Main. 

We walked through campus, had lunch in a cafeteria, and then we were going to meet back up to see the student activity building. But, Gretchen was tired and we opted to skip it. She did want to go to the honor's college presentation and guys- that's what sold her on the U of A. 

As of right now, it's her top choice. 

We still have a few more schools that we are looking in to and considering- all out of state. 

But this is such a fun time for us! I love seeing her blossom and grow. 

 

Beach Day

In July, we packed up one weekend and headed to the beach. We needed one more weekend away before the craziness of football season began (and let me tell you-it's been a crazy one) 

We had breakfast and then drove over to the beach. 

Gretchen was in her happy place because she could spend the day reading. 

Megan spent the day building a sand castle. 

And DJ spent the day in the shade. 

The water was full of sea weed (per usual for a Texas beach), but it didn't stop the girls. 

Gabby was NOT a fan of the water. I think she was pretty mad at us for taking her. 

Megan's sand castle that she worked so hard on! 

DJ and all of his girls. 

We headed back late in the afternoon, and I sat and enjoyed a drink. 

While DJ worked on dinner. It was delicous! 

3 happy girls with their watermelon rinds. 

We made s'mores after dinner. 

and had another beautiful sunset. 

It was a pretty top notch weekend.