Ellie-Kate's soccer game-- 9/29/13

Emmy leads drills with David, Silas, Macie, Nick, and Jack

Ellie-Kate-- kindergarten and age 5

Roger, Ellie-Kate, and Christie

Lance, David, Macie, Carter, Ellie-Kate, Nick, and Roger

Max, Landis, Silas, Jack, and Brystal

 

Ellie-Kate had been diagnosed with a sinus infection only the day before, and she was wiped out. She rested with Britti for the first quarter and then came in and refused to go back out :)

Christie coaches the herd :)

Silas and Ellie-Kate

Ellie-Kate dribbles the ball along side Macie.

AMS soccer at Circleville-- 9/28/13

AMS soccer players smile in spite of their loss to Circleville. Fortunately, I flew home from DC that morning and drove right to Circleville for the game, making it there just in time for kick-off :)

 

Very first NCA Executive Committee meeting-- September 27, 2013

Pretty much just after getting back from Baylor Family Week-end, I got back on a plane on Thursday, September 26, to head to DC. Originally, I thought about driving, but I realized that I could fly into Baltimore on a direct, one hour flight (and for a pretty inexpensive rate) so I chose that route instead. On Friday, I attended my very first NCA Executive Committee meeting, as a guest, to learn more before I officially take office in January, 2014. What an opportunity!! I loved learning more about NCA, visiting the NCA National Office, and realizing that we were, literally, only about six blocks from the White House. After we finished meetings, I heard that we were close to the White House, and I decided to stretch my legs and walk over before our dinner reservations. Wow! I've been to DC before, but it's been awhile. I truly enjoyed the chance to pause in front of this facility and to get to know others who are involved in the work of the association.

September 22, 2013

What an awesome time in Texas!! We got up early on Sunday, September 22, and drove up to Dallas, dropped off the rental car, and arrived at the airport for our multi-stage flight. We stopped in Kansas City and then Chicago and then, finally, Columbus. Although the girls got cranky on the flights, they had a wonderful time in Waco, with Chelsea, at Baylor. Ellie-Kate, in particular, can't wait to go back!

Texas trip-- Day 3 (continued)-- Baylor game and Logan's-- 9/21/13

Chelsea and her sorority "big sis," Katie

Christie and Chelsea

Ellie-Kate and Emmy learn the "sic 'em, Bears" cheer at the game-- we literally started on the next to the top row of the stadium, but, by the end of the third quarter, we were all down on the first row-- right next to the action :) Chelsea and Ellie-Kate went down to the student section, and Emmy and I went to the other side and worked our way down to the front!

 

Emmy and Christie at Floyd Casey Stadium

Emmy, Ellie-Kate, and Chelsea

 

Christie, Ellie-Kate, Emmy, and Chelsea, waiting for our table at Logan's

Ellie-Kate, Chelsea, and Emmy in the front lobby of the Hampton Inn.

Texas Trip-- Day 3-- IHop and Baylor football-- 9/21/13

Emmy and her red velvet pancakes at IHop :)

Emmy, Ellie-Kate, and Chelsea at the museum-- We went back to look at the special wooly mammoth exhibit at the museum-- very cool :)

Emmy and Ellie-Kate had a great time in the kids area outside of the stadium. We were so blessed-- we got to park right beside the tailgate area, thanks to a very kind parking attendance!

 

 

 

Emmy, Ellie-Kate, and Chelsea-- 9/21/13 

Emmy, Ellie-Kate, and Chelsea at the ADPi tailgate tent

 

Texas Trip-- First Day at Baylor-- 9/20/13

Emmy and Ellie-Kate at the Baylor Basketball arena 

Emmy's not quite as big as Brittney Griner :)

 

Ellie-Kate enjoyed playing in the pioneer area... 

Emmy in the pioneer area 

Emmy and Ellie-Kate at their very first Dr. Pepper Float event

Emmy, Ellie-Kate, and Chelsea at Olive Garden

Emmy, Christie, Ellie-Kate, and Chelsea at the Baylor Family Week-end Dessert social

Chelsea and Ellie-Kate in front of Chelsea's workplace

 

After saying good-bye to Corinne, I woke up the girls and got ready to head out. We drove in the drenching rain down to Waco. The little girls were very cranky and increasingly getting on each others' nerves, and my idea of going to the zoo upon arrival in Waco was slipping away with each drop of rain. We stopped along the way at a Kroger to get croissants and some drinks for our room and then arrived in Waco around noon. We tried to check into our hotel room, but it wasn't ready yet. Desperate to find a place where Ellie-Kate could just be irritable or distracted, I asked the hotel clerk for a recommendation. She suggested the museum near campus. I had heard of it, but, from the outside, it looks stony and dignified. I was thrilled to learn about the children's portion of the museum, and we drove back to Baylor. WOW!! The museum was an awesome combination of COSI and the Chicago Field Museum. The girls got to do some cool, hands-on science-type stuff, play in the pioneer area, and see the tusks of a wooly mammoth. After we finished up at the museum, we drove to the student center to meet Chelsea and stop in the bookstore. We had to park a few blocks away, and we were amazed at how many students were walking barefoot through the standing water. Ellie-Kate fell in love with Baylor from the start, even though she was bummed that the bears had been moved due to the flood risk. After picking up our family week-end shirts, going to the Dr. Pepper Float social, and seeing Chelsea's apartment, we ate at Olive Garden, attended the Baylor Family Week-end dessert social, and Chelsea and Emmy went to the After Dark performance. What an awesome first day at Baylor, in spite of the rainy start!