Summer Week #1

Summer is here!  I made a fine list of our schedule and goals -- no one really cared.

Austin took us  and some of his offie ladies rapelling.  

I quite enjoyed it.

Swimming everyday is happening again.  

It's wonderful.

A spot of tea.

There was a horrible hiccup in Molly's costume this year.  She had to borrow this one for the day -- she's half naked.

Trying to establish some sense of modesty.

Luckily, her costume arrived and she was able to performed properly clad.  I spent six months taking her to classes and making all of it happen.  She has fun and has been invited to move up next year.

Molly's Acro Dance

We cheered for this girl -- Maddie and Nick left after her dance.

She's quite proud of her flowers.

Grandpa B. turned 80 this week!  We took over cookies bars and ice cream to celebrate.  We then watched a birthday movie.  We really like him.

You took these boys to McDonald's for lunch?  Yes, yes I did.

We found Nick's doppelganger in the list of graduates this week. AHHHAHAHA!

Nick and Eddie went to YM High Adventure came together.  They met up with Austin and spent two days hiking, biking and climbing through trees.

Jelly.

I spent the two days letting Maddie drive us to her friends' houses and home again.  Molly, Ryan and I crocheted and watched movies.

Eddie bought a cotton-candy machine.

$140 bucks later.  He plans to start a business.

Grandma and Grandpa pulled Nick in to share their mission experiences via powerpoint.  

He's a Graduate!

Sunday evenings we often find ourselves gathered quietly to chat and be together. 

Some of my children.

Meg always knows how to stop and connect with her younger siblings.  She maintains beautiful and meaningful relationships with all of them.

These pictures are out of order.  

Nick and his empty diploma case.

This nice grandpa trying so hard to cinvince her that she likes him.

These babies pretending to care.

This oldest sister knowing just how he's feeling and knowing just how he needs to be loved.

This little girl being so brave as her older siblings leave one by one.

This littlest brother trying to take a fast picture before running off and playing in a pick-up flag football game on the other half of the field.

This younger brother trying so hard to fight the boredom of the evening.

This older brother trying so hard to maintain his dominance.

This mom trying so hard to let him go.

This little family supporting their graduate.

This Babcock family wanting the event never to end, because that means that he'll be going so soon and never really come back.

His proud parents knowing that his future is filled with opportunities to grow and become whom the Lord needs to guide and lead His kingdom here on earth.

These endearing grandparents reminding him that he's valued and important.

Our big and kind boy on the screen..

Walking up to the stage.

He's just so darling.  I can't even stand it.

All called to serve.

The ONE perk of Austin's school board service is that we get bougie seats and parking at graduation.  Here are the darling Armstrongs walking in.  Melijah were troopers keeping those babies quiet and entertained for two hours.

Our blessed grandparents.

Andy's arms around his younger brothers means everything.

The siblings.  (Maddie was MIA most of the time.)

Except this photo.

Here he is!  Nick -- our graduate. 

He's everything good and dedicated.  He teases effortlessly and loves endlessly.

Friday morning Nick and I were decorating his grad cap, and the Armstrongs and Andy walked in!  They surprised us and came to support Nick at his graduation.  SO AMAZING!

We swam most of Saturday afternoon -- lots of bros and Molly.

Still working on the diving board repair.

More epic rapelling.

Our little school ended as well.  We read this entire textbook and answered all the questions.  "This book had 36 chapters, and only one was about a woman."  Thank you for the analysis, Molly.  

More Maddie vibe.

Nick's graduation reception was a win -- he's easy to showcase.  His varsity posters and letters littered his table.  He chose to talk to every adult and connect with all his peers.  

GOAT.

Maddie's last day as a sophmore.  She took her finals and worked apparently drank lots of water.  She's wonderful.

Nick's three best friends all have their mission calls.. They are a stellar group of young men.

I crocheted six tulips for the YW graduating.

Nick sent all the obnoxiously necessary paperwork to apply for a Brazilian VISA.  We are very happy for him.

Ryan played as  a ALL-STAR.  He caught an interception, but that was about it.  He had a great season.

Maisie missed it all.  We missed her.