Hoosiers!

Wow! What a run for my Indiana Hoosiers to claim their first ever National Football Championship last night and go down as one of only two undefeated college football teams ever (Yale was the other in 1894).

IU!

I've been sporting my Indiana gear along the way and my Indiana flag has been flying high outside my house. So many people got behind this team especially when Coach Cignetti came on board and with his wit and quick replies to what are you going to do with this team ("Google me. I win"), us alumni especially saw something was changing with Indiana football.

If you know me or you've been reading my blog you know how much I loved my time at Indiana. When Austen would go for soccer camp, I would head down to Bloomington - sometimes staying the weekend just walking around campus and remembering how much I love that place. 

My freshman year was the last time that Indiana went to a bowl game (so we weren't terrible when I was there). Our basketball team went to the final four too my sophomore year. So we had some good sports to cheer on. Add in the men's soccer team with several national championships and you have yourself an amazing sports school. 

The academics are strong too with one of the top business schools in the country and their journalism/media program has always been strong (that's actually why I chose IU along with the east coast feel). In fact, it rained the day I visited IU in October, and I still loved it and knew it was the school that I wanted to attend. My only regret is that I graduated early and only spent 3 1/2 years there instead of the full four years. 

Indiana University-Bloomington is my happy place! In fact, once when I was down there with Austen for soccer camp, I took a picture of me and him in front of the Sample Gates. I posted and captioned that shot, "Did you ever just love something so much?" I've always been a proud Indiana alumni but I'm even more proud of the class shown by this football team and their 2 and 3 star recruits. Teams win games and it's obvious this was a team that liked each other and played for each other. Can't wait to see the movie! Go Hoosiers! 

PS. Peyton woke up this morning worried that she won't be able to get into Indiana now that they're likely to get even more college applicants. Just keep working hard and you will get in, I told her. How sweet would it be to have another Hoosier in the house?! We would really be a house divided again! 

Peyton Gets Her License

It's official. You must all stay off the roads as Peyton received her license last week when we returned from Mexico. Luckily, I was able to book an appointment before we left for the Monday when she had no school. 

It might have been the best DMV experience I've ever had and that's saying a lot as the DMV is not someplace anyone looks forward to going. But, we had an appointment and she didn't have to take the driving test since she completed her driving test at school so we breezed right through and were in and out in 25 minutes. 

She was a bit nervous that she would be pulled for a random driving test as I guess there's one day a month when that happens but it didn't happen to be that day. She asked if I could drive home so she could "snap" (aka text) all of her friends. Sigh. I took her for a Starbucks and then she was off picking up her friend to come over and then promptly changing plans and driving all over our town and to the Target. She did text me that she had a change in plans (not while she was driving) and I refrained from lecturing her on how this is her first day with her license, let's just take it slow. I get it - it's brand new. Just her driving has come a long way and I still want her to be cautious as it took lots of hours with Tom and I driving with her to get her to this point (and she still isn't the best parker). 

She's been up early to drive herself to school and says her parking is a lot better - she was in between the lines! (I need to drive by her spot and see if this is true!) I'm not sure if my heart is ready to have another one on the road but time is marching on and she's ready, I guess. 

Xmas Break in Mexico 2025

We weren't sure we were going to do Xmas break trip this year because we just moved and we did do a summer trip to Disney (because of Austen's soccer) which we don't normally do. But, we decided it was important to have a family trip to all be together since Austen was home and he had an extra long winter break.

NYE 2025 - Beach Party

We decided on Mexico, largely because it was cheaper and also because Austen was planning on going to a concert there on January 4th so flying back and then flying him to Mexico would have been a bit more complicated. Three weeks before the trip, I booked it. Yes, normally, I have these vacations planned at least 6-9 months in advance but I didn't this time. I narrowed the list of resorts and decided on a brand new all suite hotel with a great rate during a soft opening (took the risk there that it would be okay). Tom and I  had Southwest companion passes for flights so Hailey and Peyton flew basically free with us except for taxes. Used points for our flights and Austen's too so we just had to pay for hotel. 

The new hotel was the Majestic Mirage (a 4.5 star hotel) that looked magnificent and sat next to its sister property the Majestic Elegance in Costa Mujeres on a beautiful beach. Quick 3.5 hour flight from Chicago to Cancun and then a 40-minute shuttle ride and we were there. The lobby was magnificent and new. We booked two rooms and unfortunately due to it being a new hotel and some of their rooms not operational, we were a building and a half away from each other. The kids decided to stay in one section and Tom and I were in the other section (adults only although they were lenient on this during the soft opening). 

Fashionista!

We had a swim out suite and then the kids' room was one with a plunge pool that faced the waterpark. We used both and the kids had fun on the waterslides too. It was only 40% capacity which was nice so not really that crowded during that time of year which is what I wanted. Restaurants were pretty easy to get into and we especially enjoyed their hibachi restaurant and their Italian one. Our butler did go no contact after a few days and Hailey did flood their bathroom (which Tom and I deduced was shoddy workmanship as the tile in the shower slanted away from the drain.). But we rolled with the setbacks and it was fine. No had I paid full price for these rooms/this resort, I probably would not have been happy but it was fine and minor inconveniences. 

Tom and Austen did spend an afternoon golfing and then everyone (except me) went jet skiing. Other than that we just relaxed. Played cards. Watched some Bears and Indiana football and enjoyed the warm weather. 

We rang in the New Year on the beach to a band and fireworks. Too soon it was time to return home and we woke up that morning to the airspace being closed due to Trump's "kidnapping" of the Venezuelan president. So our flight was two hours delayed and Austen's friends were two hours delayed coming in. Eventually, our flight got moved to only 30 minutes delay but we sat on the tarmac for another 30 minutes due to the backup. We left Austen in the airport Starbucks to wait for his friend's flight (a parent or two were coming in as well) which landed just before we took off. 

Felt lucky to make it home that day when so many flights were canceled or majorly delayed. Or at least I did until the driver of our car service decided not to back out of our driveway after he dropped us off and pull forward through our brand new backyard with in ground sprinklers. To see a huge SUV in the middle of our yard stuck in the snow and trying to now do a 3-point turn to get out was shocking! I still can't believe it. Yes, our driveway was covered in snow so you couldn't see what was driveway and what was grass but how he didn't realize it as soon as he came off the grass and started through our backyard, I don't know. 

I guess we won't know what kind of damage he really did until spring. Happy 2026! 

Indiana wins Rose Bowl!

Dinner on our last night

Rigatoni a la Gorgonzola - with a carrot butterfly

Last night dinner

Air hockey at the teen club

Drinks at the bar

Jet ski battle

Hibachi

Austen head first down the waterslide

Tire tracks through our backyard!!

 

Peyton Turns 16!

Sweet 16!

Happy Sweet 16 to Peyton! She turned 16 in Mexico and had another birthday celebrating while on vacation. That's the beauty and the curse of birthdays during the holidays. You're never with your friends or celebrating with them at school but if you're lucky, you're on some trip somewhere celebrating. And, Peyton usually is. 

She celebrated her 1st birthday in Mexico and 15 years later we finally returned so she could celebrate her 16th one there too (and Hailey could visit Mexico for the first time). 

We woke up to sunshine and warm weather - it was nice we weren't in Chicago with freezing temps and snow. Went to breakfast overlooking the ocean and then back to our room for presents. Peyton got all Alo apparel. If it's not that or Aritizia, Brandy Melville or Garage these days and some Princess Polly for dresses thrown in there then she's not thrilled by it. I had also bought her a key chain that she wanted for her car keys and wallet when she got her license. But she ruined that right after Xmas when she declared she didn't get it so unbeknownst to me, she went out and bought her own so she got one less gift! 

Workout attire

Peyton wanted to go to the beach so we spent the day at the beach and headed in for a late lunch before going to workout. Peyton got all dolled up for her workout - complete in Alo workout attire (which is way too cute for working out in my opinion). 

After, she had picked the oceanfront restaurant for dinner (no idea why she wanted to go to that one but it turned out to be one of her least favorite restaurants of the week. We went to some better ones later in the week and I think she regretted picking that one but who knew?! 

She's looking forward to getting her license when she returns to the U.S. (we have an appointment on Jan. 5th) and galavanting around with her friends. However, Austen is home for the next two weeks too so I'm sure they'll be battling it out for the car. 

Peyton is also deciding on her big 16th bday gift - a trip to LA, a concert she wants to go to or something else. She hasn't decided yet....but since Austen got a big 16th bday gift, she's banking on one too. 

Happy 16th Peyton! May all your wishes come true! 

Ice cream for her bday, yes, please!

Presents!

Xmas 2025

What a whirlwind Xmas 2025 turned out to be. With just 3 weeks to enjoy the Xmas season and shop, it was hard this year to squeeze everything in and really enjoy it. I like a good 4 weeks between Thanksgiving and Xmas. It gives you ample time to shop and a whole other weekend for parties and fun. 

Merry Xmas Eve

Still, we managed to get all of our shopping done, presents wrapped and attend several holiday parties before December 24th. Plus, we got to enjoy having Austen home for almost all of December, and he won't leave to go back to school until January 18th or 19th. (We may be ready to see him go by then!)

This season, we didn't walk any light shows and had no plans for holiday plays. Hailey asked where the elves were and I told her they didn't follow us to our new home. We knew she no longer believed and was trying to get us to admit that there is no Santa Claus so I told her the truth from a very wise "post" I saw and kept saved. The truth is that we are all Santa Claus. It's the act of giving without expecting anything in return. We all are Santa Claus all year long when we give to charities or when we exhibit a small act of kindness or are a big help to others - all without getting anything out of it. That's believing. That we can all make a difference by doing things and expecting nothing in return. It's the message I want to leave my kids about this season of giving. 

Anyway, Xmas Eve this year was a quiet one since our family celebrations were both on Xmas Day. So we enjoyed a leisurely brunch at our favorite restaurant, Buttermilk. We finished up some last minute food prep for items we were bringing to Xmas Day events and then we got ready to go to church. Came home and had a bunch of appetizers/dinner and watched Home Alone. (The night before we played a variety of games and watched movies). 

Xmas morning, we were up early to open our presents and then head to my brother's house for the opening of our extended family presents at 11am. We were there almost four hours before heading to the city to enjoy some time with Tom's family. We left about 9:30pm and were home by 10pmish. 

So fun to catch up with family including all the older nieces and nephews. Now on to New Year's! 

The Szurgots

G Cousins

Gifts!

More Gifts!

More and More Gifts!

Cheer Competition

Even Hailey came to cheer for her big sister!

Peyton had her first cheer competition of her season last week. She competed as a rec cheerleader in competitions when she was younger but as a high school cheerleader, only the Varsity team was scheduled for competitions until this year. And, while her goal is to make Varsity next year, as a sophomore, she is on the JV cheer team. 

The cheer teams at her high school have not competed in recent years or been required to tumble until just a few years ago. Because they do want to compete, the coaches are now requiring certain tumbling skills to even make the team. 

Peyton has worked hard on her tumbling skills and earned a coveted spot "on mat" - the entire team must try out for these positions as not everyone on the team makes "mat." The routine required her to do a standing back handspring as well as a round off back handspring. Positioned in the front for most the routine, she jumped, she danced and she looked animated in her first competition of the season. And, although their flyer fell (their stunts looked a little rough the first go round), it wasn't because of the bases. You can see the flyer clearly loses her balance after bringing her extended leg in way too fast.

They came in third place out of 10 teams and probably could've gotten at least 2nd had their stunts been a little more polished. So they went back to the drawing board to rework these stunts for their next competition on Friday and Saturday. 

We can't wait to cheer her on! 

Front row, bottom left (JV cheer team)

(Look for Peyton in bottom left corner and then follow her around the mat)

Hailey's Parent Teacher Conferences

Hailey - 6th Grade

By the time your last one reaches 6th grade, you often wonder if you really need to still attend parent-teacher conferences! Or at least I am! Most of the time, my kids are doing pretty well in classes and sometimes I'm even embarrassed that I booked a conference with a teacher to talk about how my kid has an A in a class. However, the reason why I keep signing up for these conferences is that it's nice to put a name with a face and have them know/learn more about my child. 

So I picked four conferences with Hailey's teachers - Advanced Math, Science, Social Studies and Advanced Language Arts. She has As in all of these classes but it was so good to have these conferences because there was a common theme running throughout them in most of my discussions with her teachers and that was that she tended to be more quiet in class especially during discussions. 

I forget that Hailey was a really shy kid when she was little. In fact, her Montessori school took her to be tested because she literally did not talk. Of course, we knew she did talk but she definitely is the quietest of my three. 

Now I had been noticing this the last year or so at the dinner table. Of course the discussions always revolved around Austen's college or his soccer and then Peyton would pipe in to make sure she had some of the attention too. Hailey was just a quiet observer during these discussions, even when we tried to pull her in. I thought it would get better when Austen went to college - no more college or soccer talk but it didn't. Peyton just monopolized the conversation more! 

So now, after these conferences, I'm challenging her to come out of her shell and be an active participant in these family discussions so in turn she's a more active participant in her classroom discussions too. I'll report back in six months to see if she's improved but with Austen home again for the next month or so,  she's really going to have to work at participating in the conversation.