Flash Back Friday: CWPA Champions

Flash Back Friday of the 2013-2014 Champions:

Congratulations to all the champions! What a fun year we had and a season to dream about. Undefeated ending with a sudden death victory! I love seeing the friendship, memories and enjoyment the girls show. Then the growth of the sport of water polo. It does not get much better as a coach.

The Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) looks back on the teams that won league and National championships during the 2013-14 academic year. St. Francis College Brooklyn (Men's CWPA Championship), the University of California-Santa Cruz (Men's Division III Club Championship), the University of California-Los Angeles (Men's National Collegiate Club Championship), Connecticut College (Women's CWPA Division III Championship), Indiana University (Women's CWPA Championship) and San Diego State University (Women's National Collegiate Club Championship) are featured in the wake of their titles during the past men's and women's seasons.

Rainbow Weather

In California we do not get very exciting weather.. Especially living in San Diego. Almost 365 days a year the weather is the same. So needless to say I NEVER check the weather. This got my into a little trouble a few days back. I was up nice and early off to the beach for a paddle. Only to realize we were having a huge lightning storm.

I ended up not being able to paddle out. But I did get to see a beautiful rainbow and light show.

Staycation

After Brooke's wedding we did a staycation in San Diego with the In-laws. It was a great time to just relax and honestly visit some places that neither of us have ever been. 

Activity 1: Paddle Boarding

Giving the sister a ride

Paddle Boarding with the family in Mission bay outside the Bahia hotel.A bunch of the family rented paddle boards and spent time going around the bay. My mom had a little trouble standing up- but once she was up she was off to the races on the board. Fun to spend time with my Aunt Kay, Cousin Mary, Aunt Martha, Uncle Dennis and my siblings. All of us just paddling around. 

Mom out on the water trying to stand

Mom is up and away

I thankfully have been out on a paddle board a few times. I used all the tips to help the family. KK really enjoyed it- for some time. Then when mom got on a board, KK came onto mine. Once we got used to the balance thing and I was willing to work a little harder, we were off and enjoying time paddling together! Though her butt was getting a little wet. Dad did not want to try but he enjoyed watching us all from the sand!

KK loving it

Mary and my Aunt Kay

For being water people- stand up paddle boarding is awesome. Especially on calm water. You can experience all the joys of being free and out on the water. Without having to be get wet. I think this is why my mom really enjoyed it. She never had to get wet. Though she did admit- she would not do it out of the surf!








Activity 2: Hike Torrey Pines

View from the bluff

Hiking the bluff

Another great activity was hiking Torrey Pines. I personally had not been to the area since college and we did not spend much time enjoying it. We went hiking with mom, KK, Aunt Martha, Uncle Dennis, Scott, Renee and Brennan. Our nice hike did end up being very long. We should have listened to dad when he said to bring extra water. Which we did not. 

Down the bluff

KK with a beautiful view

Our small hike ended up being over 10 miles. Up the hill around some trails, into the museum. Then since you always see the golf course on TV- we made the extra little hike to see it. A very beautiful lodge and lovely golf course. I know my Aunt Maratha and Uncle Dennis loved seeing the golf course. 

Cassidy Family

The hike back we took it off the bluffs down onto the beach. Which was a much quicker way back to the car. It was an absolutely beautiful hike on the bluffs then down on the beach. Even though it was long, worth all the views and beauty. 

Activity 3: Balboa Park Museums & Velodrome

Balboa Park is a live and amazing little area of San Diego. There are so many museums. We visited a few different ones. The San Diego Hall of Champions.  I have previously been to an event hosted by the museum. The banquet was amazing at a lovely hotel in Mission Valley. Seeing what I had with that event, I assumed the museum would be fascinating and amazing.  Though we were disappointed. The displays were lacking information, not all working. I want to hope that the museum it did not have more. I believe it is a newer museum- I love the idea of it. I have previously been to event hosted by the museum and it was amazing. 

After the Hall of Champions, we headed over to the Air and Flight museum. The Cassidy family has deep routes with aircraft and flying. Though any and all museums I find fascinating. This was no exception. A few of the planes they pointed out Grandpa Wixom used to own one similar. So much history in the airplanes.    

                                                                                                                                         

After the Air museum we headed to the Natural History museum. Brennan had seen an add for a special exhibit on Pirates. I have to say I thought a lot of it was made up. After going through this it was amazing, so much information. The way these pirate-ships were able to govern themselves, split everything equally. That long before the idea of ending slavery, that pirates had no care for color. Only about who could help the cause (not the best of course). 

Once we had enough in Balboa park it was over to the other side of the park. We had a quick snack then headed to the Velodrome so that Scott and Renee could see what this track racing was all about. Tuesday night racing is the higher levels, Brennan is working his way up to that level. I think they really enjoyed experiencing the track and all that comes with it. 

Activity 4: Palomar Mountain Observatory & Julian

A few weeks before this vacation Brennan did a race up Palomar mountain. I personally had never driven up it. And I have no plans on riding my bike up it that is forshure. He did it to test himself. Wanted to show his parents the craziness of it.  The drive was actually beautiful, we passed only two cars along the track. 

Once at the top of the mountain there is a very cute little store. We made a pit stop there. From around the corner you can get to a huge observatory. We took about an hour to view the museum they had. Then walked up to this MASSIVE telescope. I have never seen anything like that it. I definitely left there more informed and confused about the dark reaches of our universe. They did ask that we tell other people to try and keep lights we do not need outside off. All that light bounces and they have trouble seeing things in space. Thus I have been doing my part to make sure we do not leave the porch light on when not needed. 

On the way down the mountain I figured out we were only a few miles from Julian. A beautiful little town that is famous for there pie. Once in the town Renee liked the cuteness of the town. It has an old town feel still. I was super happy because I got my Apple Pie from Mom's bakery. I of course made it ala mode so that I could get my ice cream as well. The pie was amazing as always.  

Odd Activities:

Like any vacation you do a lot of eating out. Though it was nice cause we eat at many of Brennan's and I favorite restaurants. I think we did put his parents out of there comfort zone once in a while.  

Such a great vacation spent in San Diego- all while coming home to our own bed. 

Brooke's Wedding Video

All the bridesmaids

Always has amazed me how quick we grow up. Not sure when college ended and we entered the real world. But to be married just seems like we cannot be old enough for that. A lot of I cannot believe we are this old happened in 2013 and 2014 as I have watched many of my best friends get married, I myself got married. But then to be planning and knowing that my sister Brooke will be getting married- a very out of this world feeling.      

The Friday prior to the wedding was like many others. Feeling like you have all the time in the wold only to learn that the clock is moving much quicker than normal. We would all meet to get our nails done. Then a lunch down in PB. Then back to the hotel for a rehearsal on the sand. Once the rehearsal was over- everyone showered got all dressed up. Off to the rehearsal dinner down in PB. It was also great to have my in laws in town for Brooke's wedding. They came during the rehearsal dinner and we had then had a staycation with them the following week. The rehearsal was a fun night to hangout with the wedding party and family. Plus the food and drinks were great. 

Wedding Day:

Vessey Girls

Since the wedding was taking place later in the evening. We were up and off to breakfast down on the ocean nice and early. Breakfast was fun with all the bridesmaids along with my parents. Dad managed to use his magical powers to make his glass completely sheer in the middle. It was a good way to start the day with everyone just relaxing.

Once back at the hotel it as a mad dash for the shower. Eight bridesmaids and a bride with one shower. You can all guess how that went! Once showered there was a lot of time spent waiting around as we each got our hair and make up done. It is always fun to get made up. As we finished getting all dolled up, it was time to get into our dresses and another round of pictures. Pictures in the room all together. Then pictures around the hotel with all the bridesmaids. Taking so many pictures prior to the ceremony was nice, it made that we did not have a mad rush to the ceremony. Plus not to many pictures after the ceremony. Just time for Nik and Brooke to get all the photos they wanted.

Nik was very emotional when Brooke was coming down 

Brooke did a fun first look with Dad & Sean. It was time to get a ton of bridesmaid pictures taken. While the boys were also doing the same on the other side of the hotel grounds.

Brooke and Nik had a cute no look where they exchanged notes. Then a few minutes of waiting and it was go time. Nik cried while Brooke headed down the isle. It was a very beautiful back drop and ceremony.

After the ceremony was another round of pictures with family and both sides of the wedding party. We would then head to the reception. The reception was hosted on the Bahia Steam Boat. A quick walk and we were all ready for the party.

The reception started with the grand entrance where the bride and groom had there first dance. It was a fun atmosphere. We then headed upstairs to the dinning hall. It had a beautiful stain glass ceiling. We would have a fun meal, with great speeches. After the speeches we headed outside for a fireworks show. The evening was beautiful in the bay.

The Happy Couple

After the fireworks show it was back downstairs to dance the night away.  I can personally say that I had a great time. Everyone seemed to have an amazing time and danced the nights away.

The evening and weekend ended as quickly as it came. With many memories, laughs and tears!



Short version of Brooke's Wedding video

Link to official pictures

My Best Friends

With Ashlyn- cutest flower girl ever!

My hot date

Congratulations Nik & Brooke. I am blessed to have you as my sister and best friend. It was an honor to be part of your special day. It was a beautiful wedding.