my hero...my sister... my friend

Katelen Dixon #13

Pos.: OH Ht.: 5-10

Here's a little bit about her last 3 years at Tampa...

As a Junior: First-team AVCA All-American...First-team all-SSC...AVCA all-South Region...Second-team Daktronics all-South Region...NCAA South Regional all-tournament team...NCAA National all-tournament team...SSC Offensive Player of the Week (9/5)...SSC Offensive Player of the Week (9/11)...SSC Offensive Player of the Week (10/23)...Colorado Premier Challenge all-tournament team...SSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll...Posted 28 double figure kill performances, including final five matches of season...Registered 18 kills in national championship against #6 North Alabama (11/18)...Season-high 19 kills came against #10 Florida Gulf Coast (11/11) in NCAA II South Regional final...Also had 14 double figure dig matches, with top performance of 24 against Augustana (9/1)...Had a double-double with 19 digs against North Alabama...Had 13 double-doubles on the season...Turned in eight blocks against #2 Minnesota-Duluth (11/17) in national semifinal match...Had season-high three service aces versus Florida Tech (10/24) and Wingate (11/9)...Finished the season as team leader in kills while ranking second in digs and third in blocks...Became 13th player in Spartan history to register 1,000 kills, against Nova Southeastern (10/22).

As a Sophomore: Second-team all-SSC...Honorable mention All-American...NCAA South Regional all-tournament team...Played in all 33 matches, starting a team-high 32...All-around player who was a top performer in attacks and digs...Finished season with 10 consecutive double figure kill performances...Matched her season-high with 19 digs and four blocks against Grand Valley State (12/2) in national semifinal...Had 12 double-double matches...Registered four blocks on three occasions, including the national semifinal...Had four service aces against Eckerd (10/7)...Ranked second on team in digs and receptions, third in kills, attacks and points and fourth in blocks and service aces...Was team’s only player to record over 300 kills and digs.

As a Freshman: Was an honorable mention All-SSC pick and made the SSC All-Freshman Team...Strong rookie campaign included 333 kills, 272 digs, and 23 aces to go with 17 solo blocks and 34 block assists... Posted a double-double against #5 Barry (10/2 - 16 kills, 12 digs) and totaled 19 kills the second time the teams met (11/7)...Notched an impressive 28 kills vs. #12 North Florida (9/23) and scored double-digit kills against #26 Armstrong Atlantic (10/16 - 23 kills) and USC-Upstate (9/4 - 15 kills)...Also had six matches with doubles figures in digs, with her best numbers against #17 Florida Southern (11/10).

High School: Was a two-time all-state selection as well as an AAU All-American...At Countryside High, she was enshrined into the Hall of Fame her freshman year...Also named Pasco County Player of the Year...Set school record for kills and aces...Member of honor roll.
Personal: Club team placed fifth at the Junior Olympics...Daughter of Joseph and Melody Dixon...Communications major...Birthdate: 1/16/86.

Katelen, I'm so proud of you. You are an inspiration to me and every young girl out there! You're so beautiful and talented in many ways. Your voice and smile can light up a room. You have a kindness about you that linger on for life. You can get all sweaty and mean while you dominate the volleyball court. You have a love for animals as you strive to become a Veterinarian. Your family, friends, and boyfriend are lucky to have you in their lives. I love you Katelen and I'm so glad we are sisters! Good luck Saturday as you play your last home game!!

http://tampaspartans.athleticsite.com/article.asp?articleID=502

http://tampaspartans.athleticsite.com/article.asp?articleID=601

You are my Sunshine

For my birthday we all flew down to the "Sunshine State," aka Florida to visit my family! It was so nice because I not only got to see my mom, dad, Kate, and Jay, but our great family friend Lisa from Seattle was there and my Nana! We had a wonderful time together. I got to see both my brother and sister play volleyball and go to the beach too! Wow.. beach in late October!

Here we are climbing "Spiderman's Web" (as Tyler called it) at the park near my mom's work. We met there during the week for a picnic!

Papa and Caiden outside the gym after Jay won his volleyball game! GO JAY!

Here's some more pictures from my mom's camera...

Caiden's 10 weeks old!

Wow does time fly! We took Caiden to his 2 month check up today and it went very well! Here are his lastest stats:

Birth Wgt: 8.7 lbs
One Month: 11.5 1/4 lbs. ~ 90%
Two Months (10 weeks): 14.2 1/4 lbs. ~ 85%

Birth Hgt: 20 3/4 in.
One Month: 21 3/4 in. ~ 60%
Two Months (10 wks)- 24 in. ~ 70%

Caiden is starting to smile more and "cooing" a lot. He follows your voice when you talk to him by turning his head. He enjoys looking up at his mobil and at bright objects. Tyler puts his little bear next to him that plays music and he loves that! When I lay him on the floor he tries to roll over. I almost caught him the other day! It won't be too much longer until he'll be taking off on his own!
At the Doctors office today Tyler was really sad for his brother when I told him that Caiden has to get 3 shots in his leg... he actually had tears filling up in his eyes. It was so sad but I tried to explain to him that Caiden needs these shots to stay healthy and it will only hurt for a short bit and then we can give him lots of hugs and kisses! Tyler liked that, and sure enough, he gave Caiden plenty of kisses... he even played music from his teddy bear (it plays Christmas music..... I guess someone's ready for Santa!)

Tyler's Clubhouse

On Sunday Tyler helped Eric stack some wood to make a fort in our back yard. It turned out awesome! Tyler can't wait for all his friends to come over and play in it. I helped Tyler make a sign to hang. He did a great job painting :)

Caiden- 7 weeks old

We can't believe it's already been over 7 weeks since Caiden came into the world! We are so blessed to have such a wonderful family. Caiden goes in for his 2 month appointment later this week and it's not going to be a very pleasant visit because he'll have to get about 4 shots! It hurts me to see babies cry...

Caiden has started to hold his head up more and smile at us. He enjoys laying in his crib and swing and looking up at the mobil. The one we put up in his crib was Tylers'. It has all the bright reds, yellows, blacks and whites in different shapes and plays classical music by Mozart, Bach... he LOVES it.

I'm SO excited about this week because not only is it my birthday but we are flying to Florida for a WHOLE WEEK! OMG! I'm just so excited!!!!
Here's some of the latest pictures of Caiden and Tyler!

A click of the camera...

Eric and me before going to a wedding

"why does my mom take so many pictures?..."

"yaaaaaawwwnnn"

50 Questions (thanks Jen!)

1. What time did you get up this morning?
Off an on since 3 AM.. I got "out of bed" at 7:20
2. Diamonds or pearls?
I love both! My diamonds on my finger and my pearls in my ears :)
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
Well, the last film I saw at the cinema (that sounds funny) was Knocked Up! LOL... funny film!
4. What are your favourite TV shows?
How I Met Your Mother, The Office,House, Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives
5. What did you have for breakfast?
Special K with Strawberries and Skim Milk
6. What is your middle name?
Nichole
7. What is your favourite cuisine?
I love salads, fruits, Stir-fry with loads of veggies!
8. What foods do you dislike?
I'm not a big fan of fried foods and last night I had eggplant for the first time and didn't like that at all... too chewy~
9. Your favourite Potato chip?
Sour Cream and Cheddar Baked Lays
10. What is your favourite CD at the moment?
it's gonna be Carrie Underwood's when it comes out this month!!
11. What kind of car do you drive?
2003 Ford Taurus (same as Jen!)
12. Favourite sandwich?
Turkey wrap with spinach,tomato, cucumber, honey mustard
13. What characteristics do you despise?
I agree with Jen: Ignorance, close-mindedness
14. What are your favourite clothes?
don't really have a favorite...
15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?
Eric and I LOVED Hawaii and can't wait to go back!!! Looking at pictures from Paris makes me wanna go there though..
16. What colour is your bathroom?
LOL.. haven't painted it yet.. we're waiting until we've been here 5 years to start... :)
17. Favourite brands of clothing?
I like whatever looks good on me
18. Where would you want to retire to? I love it here because you're close to the beach or the mountains
19. Where were you born?
Hawaii
20. Favourite sport to watch?
football and volleyball if my sister is playing
21. Who do you least expect to do this/send it back?
Nobody really, but anyone can :)
22. Person you expect to send it back/steal it first?
hmm, maybe Morgan
23. Coke or Pepsi? neither... Sweet Tea :)
24. Are you a morning person or night owl?
morning person
25. Any new and exciting news you’d like to share with everyone?
We're all going to Florida in a few weeks AND my birthday is this month!!!!
26. What did you want to be when you were little?
A teacher
27. What is your best childhood memory?
oh so many... I love having such a wonderful family!!
28. What are the different jobs you have had or do in your life? Wet Seal, Atlanta Bread Company, Peak Fitness, The Sunshine House (daycare)
29. Nicknames? Baby, E, Mom, E-Money (thanks Justin), Mom
30. Piercings? ears
31. Eye Colour? Hazel
32. Ever been to Africa? No.
33. Ever been toilet papering? nope
34. Been in a car accident? not really.. a car hit me in a parking lot but no major damage
35. Favourite day of the week?
Friday because it's the beginning of the weekend!
36. Favourite restaurants?
Firebirds, Chilis, 90's
37. Favourite flower?
Gerber Daisey
38. Favourite fast food restaurant? Chick-fil-a
39. How many times did you fail your driver’s test?
Never.
40. Before this one, from whom did you get your last e-mail?
Stacy
41. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?
Target
42. Who are you most curious about their responses to this questionnaire?
Don't know who will see it, so can't say.
43. Last person you went to dinner with?
My family
44. What are you listening to right now?
Disney Channel and Caiden in his bouncy seat
45. What is your favourite colour?
purple
46. How many tattoos do you have?
None.
ummm...47-49 disappeared somewhere...
50. How many people are you sending this to?
I'm tagging Morgan and Ashley to repost with their answers on their own blogs!

Birthday Outing...

Last Friday was my good friend Ashley's birthday and she wanted us all to go to Coyote Joe's, a country bar here in Charlotte. I've only been there a few times and it seems to be a neat place. They have an awesome house band, Out of the Blue, that plays many of our all time favorite country songs! I'd love to get there early one time to learn some line dances. My sister knows a few and it just looks like so much fun!
Here's a little slide show from that night (my first night out after having Caiden!)
Happy Birthday Ashley!

On Saturday morning I went with some friends of mine, Jenn and Jess that work at Peak Fitness to Symphony Park in South Park to walk the 5k that helped raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness. Peak Fitness raised over $1000!! American Cancer officials estimate 4,000 people took part in the walk on Saturday. They hoped to raise more than $400,000! It was such a beautiful day and I was so glad I could help :)


A few inspirational quotes:
* Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine. ~Anthony J. D'Angelo, The College Blue Book
* We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey. ~Kenji Miyazawa
* He who has a why to live can bear almost any how. ~Friedrich Nietzsche
* You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. ~Eleanor Roosevelt
* Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today.~~James Dean~~

Jenn, Jess, Me, Scott