Spring

My Spring I feel has been a whirl wind. So many things have been happening and I wish I could document them all as they are going on, but during this time of year, it seems my blog always gets pushed to the back of things to do.

Here are a couple Spring pics that I haven't gotten to post.

Early Golf Outing

Carrie Underwood Concert at Save Mart Center

Two very important events also took place in the last couple of weeks. The first being one of my closest friends said "I Do"! We traveled to Las Vegas to watch Andrea and Oliver tie the knot! It was beautiful scenery at Valley of Fire State Park and an even better celebration weekend with great friends!

The Bride!

The Groom and Keith

We got to catch up with Nigel

Tana!

The GB Gang was reunited

Matt and Amber

We got to spend some time with Jack and Charlie!

The second major event was my Mom's PEO Convention. She has been on the executive board for the last 7 years and to close out her "Presidential Term" was the Kansas State PEO Convention. All the family was able to head to Wichita to experience what she has been working towards for the last 7 years. It was so much fun seeing mom in the spotlight after knowing how hard she has been working to make sure it went off without a hitch!

Mom's Theme was TEAM PEO (Together Embracing All Members) She Rocked It!

Cindy and I enjoying the Photo Booth

Time to relax and enjoy!

I got to meet my newest nephew (Maddox "Max" Christian Birt)

Keeley and I enjoying some Snapchat Features

The Little's loved all the props!

2K Walk Fundraiser

Aunt Beth and Laney are not fans of the early morning.



"One Shining Moment" Dinner with Grandpa Schartz



The Whole Fam Together!

What a fun Spring it has been! Looking forward to a great Summer Ahead!!

Mountain West - Fresno State Bulldogs

    Another season has came and gone. It seems like we wait forever for season to get here, get out of the summer recruiting and visits, and just like that, we are back again.  The last 6 months has been basketball, basketball, and more basketball. As always, we enjoy the ride and see where we will end up at the end of the season.  This year, brought us back to the Conference Tournament in Las Vegas, a place I never complain about heading. I was able to spend the week in Las Vegas with both my parents and Keith's and continue to enjoy what a fun place it is.

     This year we went about Las Vegas a little differently. Yes, we still made it down to the strip and were able to enjoy the life down there, but with Keith's team staying at the Hard Rock (a couple blocks from the strip and across from our Resort) we lived another type of Vegas life. We were able to enjoy the less traffic, laid back, relaxing kind of time.

     Fresno State Women played Tuesday evening and got a win against Utah State to start off our tournament. We went 15-3 this year in conference and were the number 2 seed coming in.  Wednesday night we played UNLV, with a tough home crowd, and pulled out another victory! That led us into the Conference Championship Game on Friday. First of all though, we had to cheer on our boys team who were also coming in to the tournament as a 2 seed behind the San Diego State Aztecs, who are always known for a rough and tough team. Our boys continued to win as well, and were able to play in the Conference Championship game on Saturday.

     Our women played Colorado State, who at 32-1 coming into the game, we knew would be a tough game. Our girls played their hearts out, were up the entire game, and lost within the last 3 seconds of the game. Although it was heartbreaking to watch, it was such a fun year to watch these girls fight till the final second. They had a fight in them that continued and led them to finishing the year on a 18-3 run before losing in the 2nd round to a very tough Oregon team.

     Our boys went on to win the Mountain West Championship Game! They were able to continue their luck to the Big Dance in Denver, playing Utah, where we fell short. What a great season for Coach Terry and the Dogs!

Dad was in charge of the car, all 5 (sometimes 6) smashed in well.

Our resort pool that I frequented often.

Dad and Mom

Bill and Jan

Keith and I

My favorite game in Vegas. She won this time, but I will be back! :)

Lunch outside for mom.

The BDF always threw a great pre game tailgate before each game.

Keith's #1 Fans after win number 2!

Checking out the Aquarium

I love Downtown Vegas. So different and entertaining!

Mountain West Championship Game

New Years and a Year Older

 Time flies when you are having fun! I couldn't explain January any different than that! We had so much going on and so many fun activities I will do my best to show it all off! We started the year off dog sitting some of our friends pups as they enjoyed vacation in Mexico! We had a total of 3 dogs and they all seemed to be inseparable. As fun as it was to see them all together, I have now realized I am not sure I need another dog at this time!

All the dogs getting their treats!

Juco got a new bed for Christmas

     As every year, we kick it off with New Year's Eve. With basketball, I never know what exactly we are going to have time for. This year, Fresno State played on the 30th, and didn't have to leave for their next game til the 1st! So that left us with a great night enjoyed with friends, playing the "low key" card with football, games, and togetherness!

New Year's Eve

Making it Year 2 in Fresno with this girl!

Always enjoy being with the Loftins!

     My birthday was the next celebration of the month! I was surprised with a Ski Trip to Shaver Lake to China Peak Resort. Shaver is about an hour from us, and with the drought in California, we were not able to check it out last year. Now, with the rain and snow we have been getting, we had a day filled with great memories and lots of laughs and falls. Neither Keith nor I had skied since we were in 6th grade! We had no idea what to expect or if we were ready to take this on. My morning went about as I had thought, but was going strong by the afternoon! Keith enjoyed the entire mountain and time we had. He did such a great job planning this trip and it will be a birthday I never forget!

The Beautiful view of Shaver Lake on our way home

The must take Ski Lift Pic

My work ladies are so good to me! They dressed up the Birthday Bear to make me feel like I was back at home!

     The last celebration was my parents coming to Fresno! They have been out here a couple of times, however, we tend to go visit other places. This time, we stayed in Fresno, watched basketball, and got things done! They are so helpful when we are needing little odds and ins done, and for some reason, it is so much easier to do them when they are there. We played a lot of games, mostly Pitch and enjoyed the different places around Fresno to eat. I always am thankful they come out and make me feel so special!

Always helping when they can

Basketball Selfie! Dad and Mom got to watch two games and two wins!!

Dad had control of Juco when walking, something I can never do

Mom let Juco climb on everything and made sure she was comfortable

     January was a quick month and a very exciting one! It was a great way to start of 2016! Many things to look forward to ahead!!

Family Christmas

     Every year I look forward to the Holidays. I always know that means family will be together and many memories will be made. However, I didn't realize it would get better and better each year. Moving away has put me in a situation that I never thought I would be in. I thought I would forever be a Kansas girl and always be around the ones I loved. 4 years ago, that changed, and since then, these trips home have meant more to me than ever before. I love looking ahead and having my countdown on (I know you are supposed to live in the moment, but I love countdowns!). This year was even more fun. I would call the nephews and neices and get them all riled up as to how many more days until I got to see them! Some would send pictures, send videos, or run laps around the kitchen of how many days left. All would brighten my day each time it happened!!

     My time home is always amazing, and I cannot even start to explain all the memories of the two weeks I was able to be home. I love seeing everyone and enjoying the time we get together. The kids are growing so fast and their excitement brings so many smiles to my face. Here are a few pictures of what my weeks looked like. (These do not do justice on how great of a time I had)

My Welcome Home Committee

Heading back to GB

It was my duty to have breakfast made each morning!

Enjoying the more quiet household :)

Game Time with Reese!

Lots of Ring Around the Rosy

A little Airplane Action (not sure she was enjoying it)

They love "playing" with Keith!

A family that dresses together, stays together! Family of 4 on the way!!

Bat Cade and his Bulldog socks! 

Luke and Lawson enjoying their Bouncy Balls

Keith reading to Keeley and Laney

Lawson showing off his Gingerbread House.

Little Laney

Enjoying their Christmas Puzzles

This Christmas we also gained a new Angel. My mom's mother, Grandma Schartz went to Heaven. Although, it is something that is always hard to handle, we were able to spend time together and be around all of the family for a couple more days. She was a fighter and lost a quick battle to Cancer. We will continue to smile on the memories we all share.