Parents Weekend

We headed to Tallahassee for Parents Weekend. We had not seen Mackenzie in six weeks. In those six weeks she had survived sorority recruitment, a hurricane named Hermine that closed down the FSU campus for a week and an outbreak of virus.



On Friday we attended the Alpha Phi Red Dress Gala at the Tallahassee Antique Automobile Museum. This gala was a fundraiser for the Alpha Phi philanthropy - promoting awareness of women's heart disease.



Red dresses were admired but not required. We had never seen so many red dresses in one place.



As you can tell, Mason was having a blast (just kidding).



On Saturday we were invited to two fraternity houses for pre-game parties but we ended up tailgating with Mackenzie's hallmates from Bryan Hall.



It was a great game but no so great of an outcome. The Noles lost in the final three seconds when North Carolina kicked a field goal.



On Sunday morning we were invited to the Alpha Phi house for brunch and a tour. The house is amazing. It is huge and beautiful. It is one of the newest houses at FSU.



The house has an amazing second story balcony that overlooks part of the FSU campus. Mack walks to the house twice a day for her meals.





We were sad to say goodbye to Mackenzie on Sunday afternoon but luckily Thanksgiving break is just around the corner. Miss you already, Mack!

2016 Summer Road Trip

What started as a short trip to Tallahassee for Freshman Orientation quickly turned into an amazing week-long family road trip. Mackenzie and I spent two full days at Florida State University. We saw her future dorm, Bryan Hall.



We ate at her dining hall (Suwanee) and attended continuous breakout sessions chock full of information.



By the end of day two she was still all smiles but I was on information overload!



After orientation we headed to Waleska to visit Grandpa and Nana.



We were able to rest and relax on their dock prior to heading out on our next adventure.



Grandpa had trained his fish prior to our arrival, they knew exactly when to expect feeding time.



We then left Waleska and headed to Mineral Bluff in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Our kids experienced their first stay in a Bed and Breakfast. That was an adventure in itself. Typically B&B's don't have five large dogs, feral cats and serve mimosa's straight up at breakfast (still laughing at that one).



The kids also visited their first orchard (Mercier).



As a family, we went ziplining for the first time. To relax we tubed down the Toccoa River.







We hiked to numerous waterfalls. Driving to a couple of them was quite a scary undertaking.



We had a few of the waterfalls completely to ourselves.



We were able to swim in the waterfalls, another first for our kids.



Mason's only request on this road trip was that we stop in Ginnie Springs on our way home. He wanted to use his GoPro in the clear spring water and video tape the underwater caves.









We all got into the action including a selfie by Mack.








A big shout out to Darin for all his hours behind the wheel. It was a road trip that we won't soon forget!

The Graduate

In what seemed like a blink of an eye, she walked in

Graduates are filing in! @GCSharks #CCPSGrads pic.twitter.com/IMCex4JJaO

— Collier Schools (@collierschools) June 3, 2016

waved "hi" to us,



walked across the stage and then back to her seat with diploma in hand.



I kid, with 518 graduates it wasn't exactly a short ceremony. Mackenzie has been telling us for four years that her graduating class is the most academically competitive class in the history of Gulf Coast. She wasn't joking with over 250 students graduating with a 4.0 or higher GPA. Mackenzie graduated with highest honors (Summa Cum Laude) and was given a braided cord. She also wore a National Honor Society stole. Those graduating with highest honors are seated in the front and called to the stage first which was a special treat for anxious parents like us.

More than 250 students graduating with over a 4.0 GPA @GCSharks #CCPSGrads pic.twitter.com/Rmq219awTh

— Collier Schools (@collierschools) June 3, 2016

The ceremony was held at Alico Arena on the FGCU campus and we could have stayed afterward to take pictures and congratulate all of Mackenzie's friends but unfortunately a nasty afternoon storm quickly rolled in. We had to seek cover immediately but we did find some humor in the dirt-devils forming around our car.



We drove back to Naples were we celebrated as a family at The Capital Grill. Congratulations, Mack! We are so proud of you and of all your hard work these past thirteen years. Many thanks to the faculty and staff at Poinciana Elementary, North Naples Middle and Gulf Coast High for being a part of her success.

Senior Year Status Update

Senior Prom

Band Awards

(senior class of percussionists)

Senior Academic Awards

(Mack was honored as an AP Scholar for receiving scores of 3 or higher on 3 or more AP Exams) 

(National Honor Society)

National College Decision Day

Annual Seminole Send-off

(hosted by the Alumni Tribe of Naples)                                                 

(104 seniors from Naples will be heading to FSU in the Fall)