We’ve been wanting to go to Hilton Head, SC for awhile now. We originally had it on the books for last spring break but we realized that it’s a bit chilly there in March. So, we postponed and went there this summer. Wow, I can definitely see why people love it! It’s a great place to vacation, relax, and have fun with your family. We had a lot of recommendations from friends that frequent the area, and they were spot on.
As you may have figured out, I love to write. I may not have a future in journalism but I thought I did at one time. My first attempt at a college major was Radio/TV at KU. I ended up at KSU with a degree in business & an MBA. Go figure. As a senior, I distinctly remember my dad asking me why I would choose a radio/tv/journalism major when I struggle with writing papers in school. Well looking back on that now, my response is, no one likes to write research papers in high school do they!? Funny how things come full circle.
I kept a journal while we were in Hilton Head and sent it to our family back home each day. It’s not grammatically correct nor did I spend any time proof-reading. I typed most of it from my phone! Feel free to skim through if you like. Kiddos, you will hopefully enjoy reminiscing at some point (you should be able to click on the link for each day to pull up the pdf file).
As you can imagine we took TONS of pictures and it’s just too hard to pick out my favorites. But you’ve gotten a glimpse! We miss you, HHI!
A link to all of our photos on Shutterfly is coming soon!
On the other hand, we didn’t do so hot on the summer chores – which is why they haven’t been paid out yet. Mom is probably going to get a little bit of cash 😉
Excellent job, Reecie, on making our charts! You always keep us accountable.
In the meantime, the girls discovered that if they hang out on our backyard putting green when it gets dark, they can create giant shadows on the side of our neighbors house through a reflection in the light. I know it sounds weird, but it is very fun and entertainment for hours! They even have props! It’s super hard to capture a photo – this is all I have. It’s one of those…”you have to be there” kind of moments. Come check it out sometime!
I love spending time with these fun people at the ‘Michie Farm’ but I’m very happy to venture right back into my Lenexa neighborhood!
Way to go Conley crew – job well done on that summer fun list!
Morgan turned 15 on June 29th and of course we celebrated! This was a BIG birthday because she got her restricted driver’s licence and a car! Don’t fret, we did not buy her a brand new car, it’s used, but it does happen to be newer than both Brian’s and mine. And she is responsible for paying us back for a portion of the cost. It was a BIG surprise and let me tell you, it was not easy keeping this secret! I was certain someone at the party would spill the beans by accident. We told her she was coming outside to do water balloons! She walked out looking afraid she was going to get slammed by balloons but actually, we were all waiting there to see her reaction when her car was parked out front!
She proceeded to give multiple rides around the block to the neighborhood kids and adults too. The kids thought they were hot stuff getting a ride from Morgan. Getting your first car is SO exciting!!
It’s really not easy coming up with a theme for a birthday party for teenagers! The only thing that kept popping into my mind was snap chat, texting, selfies & captions, and the endless communicating they do on their phones! So I just went to work on that inspiration and pulled off this party for Morgan.
Her only request was she wanted to do a backyard cookout and helped me shop for a color scheme. I don’t want anyone being disappointed with a party, that would be devastating to me!
Somehow I came across these tiny little colorful grills in the dollar aisle at Target at the last minute….WHAT!? Why on earth do they have these and could these be any more perfect for decorations for this cookout teenager party!!!? I’ll take 4, please. 
(food not included…that is Reece’s tiny fake food) Don’t even ask why we have that!
Morgan made her famous chocolate chex mix and I made my cake pops – the cashier probably thought we were absolutely insane buying all of these ingredients. This is enough sugar for an entire year!
The first week of August is the Overland Park Junior Golf Tournament and it’s permanently on the calendar. This year, I had all 4 kids playing in it and it’s 3 full days of competition with varying tee times. I walked back and forth so many times, the volunteer staff members were really getting to know me. I’m so proud of all of them!
Jake played some of his best golf and earned 1st place in the championship flight and was a medalist for the lowest 1st round score. AWESOME! Best tournament to date!
Drew earned 1st place in the 2nd flight and 7th place overall. That’s fantastic, Drewy!
These cute girls were cracking us up! They take SO MANY practice swings! We weren’t sure if they were doing it because they thought they had to or out of boredom during times of slow play. I don’t know…but I bet they swung those clubs hundreds of times each round! We were worn out just watching them!
And WOW – Morgan played 18 holes for 3 days…another first! We could not be more proud! She always has a great attitude and shakes off the bad shots. This is why she is so fun to play with! You go girl!
Day 2 was very rainy and tough conditions but these cuties managed to play right through it.
This is my dad interviewing Jake (he’s a super fan!)…
Just a couple days prior to the OP tournament, Jake was selected to compete in the PGA Jr. All Stars tournament at Lloch Lloyd. They made it through the semi-finals. It was very exciting and fun to watch these guys. The competition is tough! Congrats!!
We also had the opportunity to sign Morgan and Jake up for a tournament at Falcon Ridge. Even my sister and Scott came out to watch since they live on the course. We had the best time watching her!
Every time I turn around, new clubs are appearing in Morgan’s bag! I don’t even want to know what is being spent on those custom fit clubs. Apparently she kept getting in trouble at her lessons that she needed better equipment. Ugh!
Jake took first place in the 12 & Under group and actually also scored better than the 13/14 year olds. Way to go Jake, you’re on fire!
Finally, I will finish this up with a big congratulations to Morgan for making the JV golf team at Olathe Northwest High School and competing in her first Varsity tournament!
All of your hard work has paid off!! Way to go MoMo!
And wouldn’t you know it, he faced his old team in one of the games. I would imagine it being awkward to be on the field against his friends but I guess athletes just shake it off! Drew scored a goal and had a couple other opportunities, way to play Drew! The soccer community here is large in numbers but it sometimes becomes small. We run into friends all the time at various fields and it’s always good to catch up!
Her classroom is perfectly organized and ready to whip these 5th graders into shape to get them prepared for middle school. That’s probably my biggest struggle this school year…Drew’s class just doesn’t strike me as the example-setting upperclassman of the school! There’s probably a little bit of maturing that needs to happen 😉
And I finally got Jake off the golf course for about 10 minutes to take him to school to deliver supplies, try his locker, and walk a portion of his schedule. Don’t kid yourself, within an hour of doing this, I was dropping him off at the golf course. He’s an old pro at this now I guess and there’s no way he’s wasting his last hours of summer messing around with a locker! He did get a kick out of my note I left him though…
Each year I write my kids a note about the upcoming school year and get them a back to school gift. Sometimes they all get the same thing and other years they don’t but I really just hope they keep the notes and read them from time to time. That’s probably asking too much! This year Morgan got two golf hats for the fall high school season, Jake got a new book by the only author he likes to read! Drew got a new water jug because he is playing fall baseball this year, and Reece got squishies and flip-a-zoos which really has nothing to do with anything except she’s 8 years old and likes toys!
Here’s our Falcon Valley neighborhood crew….pretty good looking group!!
conleycrew 