Monday, May 26, 2014

Brianna's Graduation Party

The day was overcast with a slight chance of rain, but the rain held off and the atmosphere was perfect for an outdoor party!  Lots of folks gathered to celebrate Brianna's graduation from high school.  We enjoyed good food, good visiting, music, and games.  What a busy weekend with lots of graduation parties and the actual graduation ceremony on Sunday.  Next weekend, it will be Jackson's turn!

LOVE the 2014 collage of photos!!

beautiful cake - photo is of Brianna holding a photo from her first day of Kindergarten



String Theory performed...

Jackson, Jon, and Brianna  


Earl, Mama, Peggie, Daddy, Jeremy, Shonda (Earl & Peggie are Shonda's parents)

David (Jeremy's Dad), Mama, and Daddy.
I was chuckling because Mama didn't have to duck to walk under the net!  :)

Jackson and Brianna 

Jackson, Brianna and CJ

Jonathan, Brianna, Jackson, CJ, Derek and his date (in back)

Adriana, Alaina (with her chicken!) and Kenzie (with Moose!)

Kenzie feeding the chickens

Absolutely perfect day!

Brianna opening gifts



Saturday, May 24, 2014

Miscellaneous May

Dear friend, Rich, has been the director of the Community Choir for many years now.  His dedication to and love for music has transformed the choir and I always look forward to their performances.  Sadly (to me) this performance in mid-May was the last with Rich as director.  He is retiring in order to pursue other interests and to have more time for other activities.  No one deserves that more than Rich!  But, we will all surely miss him.  Thankful that he is staying in town so that we can continue to see him.



We enjoyed the company of Shana and Domenic one evening for dinner.  Before dinner we headed to the barn so that Marvin could show them some of the horses.  Domenic was visiting from Germany and hadn't really had a lot of interaction with horses, other than knowing that his sister enjoyed riding them. :)  It was a fun evening and I think they both enjoyed discovering new things about horses and horsemanship.

Marvin and Governor

Marvin and Bella 

Domenic, Shana, and Marvin (with Shadow)

Mama and Daddy also joined us for dinner.  It was a truly lovely evening and we sure look forward to the next time Shana and Domenic visit.   :)

Daddy, Mama, Shana, and Domenic 


Jackson's last day of high school.  Happy guy!



Brianna and Jackson on their last day of high school.  I do believe they were both feeling pretty good.





Jackson surprised me with a lovely gift.  He is not an overly sentimental guy so the fact that he did this was a pretty big deal to me.  He said it was a 'thank you' for all the years of homeschooling him.  Sort of a graduation gift for me.  :)  Truly touched my heart.

He picked it out all by himself!  

And it smells great!  :)

Jackson and Brianna washed all these vehicles.  :)

Jonathan is now finished with his school year, too!

my new freshman!




Thursday, May 22, 2014

Baccalaureate Sunday


Sunday was truly filled to the brim with activities.  On Sunday morning Jackson was recognized at church as one of the graduating seniors.  We followed that up with lunch at Kings Buffet to celebrate.  Then it was off to Baccalaureate service with Brianna and her family.  Immediately following that service we headed out to a graduation celebration for several fellas, including Marco, a long time friend of Jackson, and son of one of my very dearest friends for many years, Chris.

Lots of joy, a few tears, and tons of laughter filled the day.  Just about perfect.  

senior recognition Sunday

Marvin and Jackson

Jackson and Brianna

Brianna and Julie

Jonathan and Daddy

Daddy and Mama

Mama and Laura

Baccalaureate service

the choir sang at the service - Brianna front row, left

Jackson and Adrian - best friends since 5 years old

Jackson and Brianna 

Brianna and Cody

Adrian, CJ, Jackson, and Brianna

Marvin and 'his ladies'   ;)

Friends for so long… Laura, Gwen, Chris, and Alicia
(and WOW, does this show the weight I have to lose again…)

Mama, Brianna, and Daddy

Victor and Laura

Brianna and Jackson having fun

Brianna and Chris taking on Shonda and Jackson 

These two (Jackson and Jerry) were especially entertaining!!   :)



pretty Brianna

Gwen, Kate, Alicia

Erica and Jerry

Brianna and Jackson