12th Birthday

The little one will celebrate twice this year, once with family on her real birthday and another with friends in January.  Of course, we had to put the decorations up a month before.

Her friends surprised her at school by wrapping her locker.

She wanted Outback for dinner, their kids mac & cheese is the best!

Then headed home for cake and celebrations.  She requested a pumpkin cake with vanilla cream cheese icing, and decorated with a pineapple and teal blue trim.  Where does she come up with this stuff?  I can't order that, so I have to make it.

Eric filled her pinata with lots of chocolaty goodness.  She busted the heck out of it and candy went everywhere! 

Enjoy your last year before you're a teenager, my sweet girl!

2nd Chair

Her winter violin concert was pretty enjoyable.  They started with the 6th grade class and worked their way up the grades to some really nice high school pieces.  So proud of our little one for getting 2nd chair!

Snow Storm

Our winter snow came on Dec. 9th bringing about 3-4", just enough to play!  

The little one immediately dressed in her gear to head out.  Every ten minutes, she'd come back in asking when I was coming out to help her build an igloo.  I finally gave in and bundled up myself.

When Ashlyn finished studying, she decided to go out, too, and build a snowman!  

It was fun watching her struggle with the heavy snow balls.

But she finally finished!  Add a USC scarf and some grapes, then it's complete.

The little one kept waiting for someone to join her sledding down the back hill.  Eventually, she gave up and took a quick nap.  She came inside to warm up about 10 min later.

Gingerbread Village

For the past few years, our little one has talked the family into decorating a gingerbread village the night of Thanksgiving.  I think it's her way of starting Christmas early. 

She assigns everyone a "building", then goes into a story of how each structure is part of the bigger village.  

I had the hospital with a medical school wing.  Ashlyn had the bakery.  The little one had a toy shop.  Eric had our house we lived in.  And Luke had the outhouse.  He was the last one to join us, so that's why his building was shaped a bit odd.

With everyone home, we couldn't resist a breakfast trip to our usual hangout.  We enjoyed our visit with Dean, the owner at Kolache Factory.  He knows our family well.

Then Eric decided to help with the outside decorations this year.  It didn't stop with the blowup Santa from last year.  Oh no.  Now we have our entire front yard outlined in lights so Santa knows where to land his sleigh.  

Good grief...  I'm sure the neighbors are thrilled.

College Experience

We hope our son's college experience includes academic success, career preparation, and  discovering his gifts to become the man God wants him to be.  In addition, we want him to have fun...just not too much.  Here are some pictures that showcase a few of his recent activities.

A camping trip with some friends to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The leaves were in full color, although this picture doesn't show it well.

The campsite was right on top of a hill for good viewing.

A few weeks later, one of his friends from a different group invited him to a semi-formal dance at a sorority party.  She is from Atlanta.

His smile is a little too big in this next picture.  Glad he had fun, though.

Ok, time to get back to academics now.  See you at Thanksgiving!

White Coat

Ashlyn received her official white coat on Sunday!  We're so proud of her for getting into med school and the success she's had already while there.

Out of 11,500 applicants, only 167 became the Class of 2022.

The Class of 2022!

Here's the YouTube video where they all walked into the auditorium.  

https://youtu.be/0JckN7-C800

The medical students were then called to the stage in groups.  Ashlyn was on the end of her group.

And finally it was her turn!!  :)

The professional photographer captured it best!

Here's the YouTube video of her name being called and receiving the coat...

https://youtu.be/5wa2z03plIQ

She received a monogrammed coat, a personalized stethoscope, her medical pin, and a VCOM pin.

We were so proud her!  They do this after Block 1 to make sure the students can handle the coursework and intense program.

A picture of all of us, minus our son at college.

Then a nice reception on the grounds.  They had little sugar cookies with white coats, lots of delicious dessert squares, and fresh fruit.  It was really fancy like a wedding.  Even their water bottles were custom-labeled.  I see where all the tuition goes.

Since we were hungry and wanted a more filling meal, we took Ashlyn to the Beacon.  This place is famous in SC for it's greasy burgers, fries, and onion rings.  We dared her to wear the white coat in there, but it wasn't the place for a medical professional to be seen.

She was excited to try it!

Despite the clogging of our arteries, we made the best of it!  All smiles here to celebrate a fun day.

Ashlyn's Bday

Our oldest met us in Greenville to celebrate her 22nd birthday.  Eric bought her a spicy margarita, but she wouldn't even try it.  Mom and Dad had to help finish it.

When she came home for the weekend, we had presents and her favorite dessert ready!

Then we drew straws to see who the guinea would be as her test dummy.  Eric won this round.  She put pressure points on his back, then poked and prodded until she could feel each part of his spine.  

Luke, your friend in the background, Mr. Creepy, wanted to say hi.

Octoberfest

Greenville had its own little version of an Octoberfest, and it was cute.  Of course, the little one didn't want to go, but Eric & I were excited to head downtown and sample a small part of our German heritage.  

Eric enjoyed the beer and curry wurst.

Even the little one tried a few bites!

My personal favorite was the beer cheese and pretzel!

Prost!

And a cute selfie of the two of us.  :)

The band was really good, and even played Sweet Caroline with a German accent.

An instant photo booth at the festival...

USC Bday

With our son away at college, we couldn't resist making the drive to see him on his special day.  Dean (owner of Kolache Factory) sent him a special gift as well - a Polish Hot, his favorite!

His birthday meal was at the dorm cafeteria.  Our little one had never eaten in this one and was wanting to try it.

Next was the big football game against Texas A&M.  Although we lost, it was a close one 26-23.  Great game!

On Sunday morning, we all crowd into the tiny student chapel at St. Thomas More.  We didn't realize it, but that particular Mass was very special.  The Bishop of Charleston was presiding as they officially welcomed in a first degree relic of St. John Paul II.  This relic will permanently be placed at this student chapel.  The former pope visited the USC campus back in 1987 and addressed the students on the Horseshoe. 

After Mass, we ate lunch at Moe's (had a coupon).  It was beautiful outside, so we hung out on their patio for an hour while Eric helped Luke get caught up on his calculus homework.

 And of all days, it was also National Dessert Day!!  So, we went out for ice cream after that.

After hugs and birthday kisses, we headed back to Greenville.  Two days later, I had a training class in Columbia, so I had to stop by one more time to deliver a few presents and a red velvet cupcake.  My sweet baby boy is #19!