Larissa Graduates!

Our oldest niece graduated from High School this week. We have helped celebrate this milestone for the last few weeks. What a great time we have had. It was exciting to see her walk across the stage and receive her diploma from Grandpa. He has just completed about 35 years serving on his local school board. It was just over 3 years ago that Larissa was paralyzed from the waist down. To see her today you would not know. She is a beautiful girl who has left a positive impact on many.

School Picnic

Earlier this week the girls had a school wide picnic. The weather was perfect. The girls really enjoyed the games that they got to play together. I'm sure they would enjoy any time that they could play and not be in the classroom.

Amber's class was releasing their butterflies. Mrs. Bell (teacher) got caterpillars about a month ago. They got fat, spun their cocoon, then turned into butterflies. All 5 lived to fly away. What a great project.

Right of Passage

On Monday Steve and I had a meeting at church. The granddaughter of the neighbor stays every Monday night with her grandma. She is a regular at our house on most Mondays. Kaylie turned 12 this winter and she was interested in baby sitting. So...Monday Kaylie had her first baby sitting job watching (playing) with the girls. Everyone was excited about this BIG event. Of course, Grandma was home and just across the road so Steve and I felt comfortable to have the three of them home alone. In just 4 short years it will be Mackenzie baby sitting. Where does the time go?

Scavenger Hunt

On Sunday night we concluded our T-N-T (kid's club program) time. Lynn planned a wonderful scavenger hunt theme event. Along with the scavenger hunt we also had to take pictures of our teams doing funny things. Here are a few pictures from our team, who by the way WON with the most points. We had to pretend to throw someone in the dumpster, push the van while some of the kids were showing their muscles and pretend to eat a sour pickle in the kitchen.

My kids are still talking about how much fun they had! Way to go Lynn!!!

Hair Cuts and Pedicures

On Saturday we went to my brother Willie and Kelly's home. While we were there the sheep shear came to give their sheep a hair cut. The girls checked out the activity in the barn. I believe Mackenzie is pleased that we live in town.

My brother Willie trimming some toe nails.

Larissa and Ethan hard at work!

Even Amber got into the action. Here she is stomping down the wool in the chute.

The girls were tired and filthy at the end of the day. They however had a great day.

Elegant Dining

Last night Amber was setting the table for dinner. She asked me for a piece of paper that I didn't need anymore. I walked into the dining room and was just about to complain about her not having the table set when I noticed she was in the process of making name cards for each of us for our place setting. I'm glad I caught my tongue before I said something that would have ruined her wonderful idea.

She felt pretty special. I have wonderful kids. I just need to remember to be patient or "name card" opportunities will be missed.