September to November 2023

So much to celebrate Ayden’s Junior year kicking off with Homecoming.

I cannot believe that in a couple short years she will be heading off to college and we will be official empty nesters1

Parents weekend at the Citadel:

    Jordan is a sophomore and Garrett has just kicked off he knob year (Freshman)

  

 

So proud of these two … choosing a non traditional college to round their character.

   

We are never without the full support team. It is a bonus that their school is downtown Charleston and a short drive to my sister’s house in Mt. Pleasant.

 

I always love my time with my sister and family!

 Knob year has its challenges unlike any other traditional college.   I love watching Garrett grow and find his path in life.   

Hanging with the dogs on the porch swing Chris made for Jen and Bill. They are always hosting us and such a support to Jordan and Garrett.

 

Ayden loves the parents weekends in Charleston… most beautiful tailgater ever!

  

 

Food is huge in Garrett’s world and getting to eat outside “mess” is always a treat.

 

Garrett has always had a heart of gold. He has a knee injury and cannot bend his leg but this did not stop him from coloring on the ground with a little girl while in uniform.

 

Such a great weekend enjoying all of the traditions of The Citadel.

  

Grocery shopping with my MIL, Ann is always fun!!! There were no big carts but that didn’t stop her.

  

My Walking partners.   Always love when my crew is home.

Octoberfest with a few of my favorite people.

 

Can’t do a posts without Booze Bag. Love our girl Bella!

   

Living in South Florida has us on the water a lot. Fishing with all of my male role models in my life.

  

 

 

 

Had to send my Dad phone with his favorite Christmas Crack Jen has taught him to make.

  

Blessed in so many ways!

August 2023 The "Drop Off" and The Lake House

When we made our summer home visits from China we always landed in Charleston, South Carolina where my sister lived. We had he best summers of our lives and made so many memories in our favorite town. We find it not all that coincidental that two of our three children have found their college of choice in Charleston. We love having every excuse to visit there often.

When booking the family reunion trip, we did it so far in advance that we did not have the dates narrowed down for Garrett’s school drop off. So Garrett unfortunately did not make the Lake House trip and Jordan was able to make it for one night. Also missing in the family crew mix was Alex and Stefanie.

Alex (Greg and Cindy’s oldest son) married Stefanie in April of 2023 and they were on a trip of a life time, Alaskan cruise with Stefanie’s family.

We were able to spend a couple of days in Charleston before the big “drop off” for Garrett at The Citadel. The is not your typical drop off by any means and Garrett’s stress level was palpable. His family rallied around him however and we knew he was ready to start his next chapter. It was very helpful to have Jordan at the same school for support and relieving to pull out of Charleston and head to the Lake house a couple of hours away on Lake Murray.

Arriving early which is not surprising with Chris leading the pack… Garrett was able to secure the bottom bunk, but there was a short term panic when we couldn’t locate his uniform white socks. Lesson number one already learned … Garrett packed his bag and he figured it out. A very VERY quick good bye with a lot of upper class man yelling. We were certain he was going to learn the ropes early on and grow exponentially.

Now Third Battalion, Kilo Company

 

Beautiful Charleston does not disappoint and will be a gorgeous backdrop to his college experience.

  

Then off to the Carey/Tiley/Desciak Family reunion on Lake Murray, South Carolina! 

Jared, Jacob, Logan and Keegan Desciak

Carey girls  

Chris rented a Pontoon boat and we did several sunset cruises and a lot of wake boarding.

Captain and First mate… for boat trip and life.

  

Loved visiting the purple Martin birds that migrate to Bomb Island every single year from South America. 

Pop Pop with his only two granddaughters

Ayden & Katie

  

  

   

Best memories made… are with FAMILY!