SWEET 16!

YESSS!

(got what she wanted)

 Found it at the BAM

 Turtle, Turtle

Kaitlyn wanted a turtle cake she saw on Pinterest...

this was the best Aubrey and I could do.

I have no idea how we ended up here so fast, but here we are --  Kaitlyn is "Sweet 16".  She didn't have any plans for her birthday and was kind of bummed because everyone was "busy".  Little did she know that because Aubrey thought Kaitlyn should have a surprise party, I had been conspiring with her BFF Maty to get some people together.  Maty did all the "leg work" for me (and by that I mean texting friends).  She was able to round up three other girlfriends and they were going to just show up at the house.  Of course, Kaitlyn was "starving" and wanted to go to Pizza Hut.  So Maty, Larisa and Sophie snuck in to Pizza Hut (Terry did a great job of distracting her) and scared the stuffing out of her.  It was AWESOME!  She was thrilled at the surprise.  While they were eating, Aubrey and I drove to meet her friend, Abby, in Delevan and surprised Kaitlyn again.  Terry then got conned into driving them to Manhattan for a movie -- EPIC FAIL.  Step Up Revolution had been taken out without changing the website so they went to see Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2, which they left early....  They came back to our house for a "sleep" over.  Aubrey and I spent the time they were gone to Manhattan making her turtle cake with what we had at home.  We thought it turned out pretty good!  Amazing what a little food coloring, piping, chocolate chips and leftover sugar letters can do :)

I hope we managed to make it a memorable day for Kaitlyn.

Marysville, Kansas

Marysville Park

While Terry was working in Marysville on our way to Minnesota, the girls and I took in the sights.  We got breakfast to go at Hardees, toured the doll museum (which was actually pretty cool) and played at the park (very similar to the Augusta park).  They tested most of the playground equipment out and looked for black squirrels.  It was a fun way to break up the drive.  We stopped in Hiawatha for Terry to do a bit of work also, but the only thing we toured there was Wal-Mart.



Aubrey, Kaitlyn, Matyson and Jordan

 Just hanging out...

 Aubrey and Jordan's "Just Say No"  Ad

 Maty looks for land while Kaitlyn channels Rose on the Titanic

Umm, mermaids?

An Interracial Relationship

 On the road again!

BAM or Bust!

NOTE:  If I ever get Kaitlyn to get the photos off the little blue camera, I can post pictures I didn't have to steal from Kaitlyn's facebook page...

Back in 2007 when Terry was working in Minnesota, we took a trip to see him and visited the Mall of America or BAM (Big Ass Mall) as we like to call it.  Kaitlyn was in 5th grade at the time and said she wanted to go back to the Mall of America for her 16th birthday.  Fast forward to 2012 and she will be 16 in August.  Due to Terry's August work schedule, mid-July was when we could manage a vacation.  We told the girls they could each bring a friend on this mini-vacation, mega-shopping trip.  Kaitlyn brought Matyson Leydig and Aubrey brought Jordan Kelley.

First leg of the trip, headed to Marysville.

 Maty and Kaitlyn say "Hi" from Hiawatha....

 The girls wanted a photo of crossing into Minnesota.  A few seconds later, Aubrey was throwing up in the flowers in front of the sign.

 Hangin' with Jimmy Neutron

Fruits of their labor --

 Kaitlyn's shopping is on the left, Maty's is on the right.

Kaitlyn was saving $100 for Miss Me jeans.

 Dressed up in some of their new duds for the fireworks show...if we ever find it!

While you are waiting for the Minnesota photos....

CVL 12U Girls Fast Pitch Champions!

The CG State Farm team finished the regular season undefeated. The tournament was in Hillsboro.  We won our first game of the tournament on Monday night, which meant a return to Hillsboro on Tuesday night for the championship game.  We beat Hillsboro 11-0.  It was pretty short and sweet!

Aubrey at bat -- she waited it out and got the walk.

 Our amazing pitcher, Melissa Filkin, a.k.a Mel, a.k.a. Flickin

She's also a pretty good catcher....

 Our awesome catcher, Allison Hodges, a.k.a. Alli, a.k.a. Hodgeson

She's also a pretty good pitcher....

 Team photos after our final win

Coaches:  Shelby and Taylor Morgan

 Pointing at Bailey Lewis' jersey #1, because they are #1

 The Diva and The Princess

(most of the players had nicknames their coaches always called them by)

 With their medals, signed softballs for their coaches and a plaque.

They will also be receiving t-shirts that declare them league champs.

 Just for fun!

Brings new meaning to a princess traveling by "coach", doesn't it?

 Or maybe this is her throne.

Our coaches did a nice job and I think the girls had a lot of fun.

Aubrey's softball team played a HOT doubleheader Friday night against the two Marion teams.  We won both games.  Aubrey had a good hit in the second game that got her to 2nd base and she also slid into home for the first time ever! 

Home Safe Home!

(this isn't the time she slid, obviously)

Team photo with coaches Taylor and Shelby Morgan

Tournament games are Monday and Tuesday in Hillsboro.

(photos courtesy of Terri Lewis)

Thoughtful Thursday