Last Day of School!!

 

They did it!! 

Today was the last day of school for my 8th grader and junior!

I love these two so much and excited for our summer adventures!!

Matthew's 8th Grade Celebration

 

Matthew had his 8th grade celebration this morning. It seems like the past three years have flown by, and I can't believe he is going to be in high school next year!

At the same time, the growth I have seen in Matthew the past 3 years is noteworthy. Physical growth, emotions growth, academic growth... he has blossomed in middle school and I love seeing who the Lord is growing him into. 

Not a lot of pics, but here a a couple from this morning...

High School, here he comes!!

Matthew's Final Band Concert

 

Matthew had his last Middle School Band concert tonight. He loves playing trombone and has grown a ton as a musician, both with his trombone AND his bass guitar.

This is Rowan. He is a sophmore in high school and an AMAZING and well accomplised musician. He volunteerd to lead the jazz band this year and let me tell you, he did such a great job! Matthew respects and likes him a lot and I am thankful for his encouragment and knowledge. He gave Matthew the "most dependable and most encouraging" award for Jazz band tonight, which made us proud. 

Grateful for band, and how it impacted BOTH Evelyn and Matthew in middle school.

Memorial Day 2024

 

Our annual Memorial Day get together happened but per usual I didn't get many photos at all. It was a fun day hanging out with Doug's family and celebrating  Aunt Mary's 75th birthday!!

May we always remember and be grateful for those who have gone before us, and those who died for our freedom.

Prom 2024

Prom 2024

It was such a fun night for Evelyn, and such a fun night for me to hang out with the sweetest kids and their moms while they got ready.

Here are some random shots from the evening..

Juliet, Evelyn's friend since birth, came with Evelyn as she is homeschooled and wanted to go to a prom. Super fun to have her along. 

Walking up to the lake to get pics

Besties since 1st grade! :) 

The three amigos... love them so much!

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The kids went to McMenamins for dinner. I gave them the "mom talk" before leaving them. Their server and nearby tables told us later that they were lovely to have there and were a fun group!

Love this crew and so thankful for these faces. They all had a super fun night!!

 

Jazz Festival

Matthew has been interested in bass guitar for some time and so after looking around we bought him a used one for him to try. He took to it immediately and has taught himself to play. He then joined the after school jazz band and has been doing that two days a week for this past school year. 

The jazz band was entered in the Mt. Hood Jazz Fesitval, a well known event here in town, and the kids worked so hard to prepare. 

Today was the day the performed. And oh, boy did they bring it!

They had professional musicians listening to and then critiquing the performances. The kids did so well and got high praise. Matthew played amazing and we are do proud of him!

Just a few pics... Matthew was hiding in the back behind a music stand so is hard to see, but he was there and was heard.. haha!!

 

March

 March Happenings!!

Evelyn and other high schoolers from church went on a service trip for spring break. They did lots of different things and learned a lot.

While Evelyn was away, Doug and Matthew did some "boy things" like going to a cool arcade for the afternoon one day. 

Evelyn returned at the end of spring break. She was tired but had a really great time with some great kids!

We hosted Easter again this year and it was lovely. Here are some cousin pics... love these faces so much!