I Cheer, You Cheer...

 We all cheer for Sullivan.

Here is Sullivan's 8th Grade Fall Cheerleading pictures.  

She looks like she was born to fill that role, and we couldn't be prouder that she has found her passion!

Junior Year...

It's that time of year again... school pictures!  

Here is Quinn's 11th grade (junior year) picture.

Another great picture of Quinn!  

It dawned on me that this is the last of the traditional school pictures for Quinn, as next year she will have senior pictures taken instead.  It's the end of an era.  Welp!

Quinn Lately...

Lately, Quinn has been keeping herself busy with school and work.  In between those two things, she has managed to have a little fun too.

She went to a concert, Panic at the Disco, with a friend...

She also went to the state fair with her friend, although there is no photographic proof that she was there. 

We partook in Quinn's second college visit at High Point University...

It is a small private college near Greensboro, NC.  Its campus rivals no others in terms of beauty.  It is absolutely gorgeous!  We toured this college because it has a pharmacy program.  In spite of that, I don't know that the college was 100% Quinn's speed, but time will tell.

She also was selected to be an ambassador for the school's Go Gold football game.  It is an annual event that supports childhood cancer research.  She and her friend, Krystal, got to host the two girls of honor...

The girls got to do the coin toss, watch and partake in cheers with the cheerleaders, and root the football team to victory!  Quinn thoroughly enjoyed the night with these sweet girls and was honored to be able to do so.  

Fun times for Quinn lately.  Makes my heart happy for her!

The Birthday Boy...

 Someone is halfway to 90 today...

We were excited to be able to celebrate Ryan today.  Unfortunately Quinn had to work so we enjoyed dinner without her.  Ryan (or to be honest, Sullivan) chose Shake Shack.  Always consistent, always delicious.

Quinn got off work and surprised Ryan with a bundt cake from work.  The perks of your daughter working at a cake bakery!  

We opened presents...

Then we always concluded the evening with, what else, but a DQ ice cream cake.  

Wishes were made and candles were blown out.  

Here's hoping all those wishes come true and #45 is the best one yet!  

Happy Birthday, Ry!

Tired?

 Do you think all the cheerleading practices and games are catching up with this sweet one?

It has been forever and a day since Sullivan has fallen asleep on the couch.  

Poor thing was TIRED!

Better But Not Great...

The Tooth Fairy swore up, down, left and right that she was going to be more timely the next time Sullivan lost a tooth.  Well that happened about three weeks ago and the Tooth Fairy only recently visited.  She was better than last time, but still not great.  

Tooth #18 was lost at school... and one day later tooth #19 was lost at home eating a chocolate chip.  Sullivan's teeth are jumping ship - exiting her body at rapid pace.  

Here is what the Tooth Fairy dreamed up for Tooth #18... A Butterfly!

Tooth #19.... Two Puppies!

It's a good thing the Tooth Fairy is down to one more task. She would likely be fired if she had many more teeth to cash in on.  Let's see if and when the Tooth Fairy visits again!

HOCO 2022...

Last night marked a first for Quinn...she was able to attend her high school's homecoming dance.  Covid had prevented her from going the last two years, so this year nothing was holding her back.  

She picked out the most stunning red dress.

But even more stunning than that red dress, was Quinn wearing that red dress.

She looked absolutely gorgeous. 

She got ready for the dance with her friend, Giulia, who is a foreign exchange student here from Italy.  The two of them looked stunning together...

Quinn, with her friend Krystal, before the dance...

Their friend, Kiera, also joined them for a few pics...

The proud dad and sister got a pic with Quinn too...

Quinn had a good time at the dance and was happy to be able to experience it with her good friends.  

Give Me a...S-U-L-L-I-V-A-N!

Sullivan took the field this week for her first cheerleading event...

She was confident, loud, and 100% in her element.  The countless hours of practices have surely paid off for her and her squad.  

Here are a couple of videos of her cheers...

This is Sullivan with her stunt group...

It was such fun to watch her do what has become a passion of hers. 

Go Sullivan, Go!

You Give Me Butterflies...

Last fall when I posted 2021 Christmas ornaments here, we had one ornament that was still in the making.  Quinn was working on cross stitching her butterfly ornament, as a way to represent two of her loves from 2021.  I told you I would post a picture once it was completed, so here we are...

It has been done for a little over a month, but just getting around to sharing its beauty with you.  Quinn did an amazing job making this butterfly ornament and I have no doubt it will look incredible on the tree this year!

Unexpected...

Some people are just food for the soul. When my dear friend, Jen, asked if she could make a last minute, impromptu visit to see us this past week, it was a no-brainer answer.  I've been MIA in posting because I was soaking in all the minutes I could with her. 

Jen travelled to Charlotte with us, where Quinn experienced her very first college visit at UNC-Charlotte. 

We were all impressed with the gorgeous campus and all it has to offer.  Could Quinn become a future Forty-Nine?! Time will tell.

After the college visit, we ate at a restaurant that was a blast from the past for Jen and a first time for us.  She says Salsarita's paved the way for Qdoba and Chipotle.  It didn't disappoint!  

We spent the week shopping, going for walks, laughing, chatting and catching up on life.  I also put her expertise to the test, as she has the greenest thumb of anyone I know.  

We replanted some plants and bought other new ones.  I am going to channel my inner Jen and TRY to keep these plants alive.  It's going to be a challenge, and likely one that Ryan is going to have to take over sooner rather than later.  

Someone supervised the planting process.  And by someone, I mean me (and this one)...

The week went too fast and goodbyes happened way too soon, but the impromptu visit was exactly what my soul needed.   Until next time...!