Saying Goodbye to Benjamin

After school got out, Benjamin's parents came to take him back to Denmark. They took us out to lunch to thank us for hosting him. We went to Texas Roadhouse. Then they took off on a driving trip of the Southwestern United States up into Northern California, where they had family and were flying back to Denmark.

School Ends, Summer Begins!

Eliza chose to sing a solo at her school's talent show.  I'm proud of her for having the guts to do something like this at this age!  She sang Carrie Underwood's "Temporary Home".

Annmarie had her kindergarten graduation.  We  have loved the teacher she had this year, Mrs. Clayton.  She had the perfect teacher for her that made school a great experience for her.

Jonah also had a great teacher in second grade, Mrs. Wheeler.  He has really grown since being in school and is working through some of his shyness and so far, all of his teachers have really loved him.

We always hit the pool after school gets out on the last day.  We love swimming and love that the pool in our neighborhood is often not occupied, so it's like having our own private pool!

Caleb got to go on a trip to California also.  Aunt Jamie started a tradition of having the nieces/nephews come out and spend a few days with her so she flew Caleb out.  Westley got to go in the fall of his freshman year.  Caleb will be a freshman next year.  Caleb requested a tour of the In-N-Out facilities, which Corey lined up for him.  He also went to an Escape Room and a minor league baseball game.

Jonah's Legoland Trip

When the kids turn eight, they get to take a trip with Dad.  Westley, Travis, Eliza and now Jonah have all chosen to go to Legoland in Southern California.  Caleb chose Sea World.  This trip ended up coinciding with the funeral for one of Corey's cousins who was killed suddenly in a car accident that very week, Shawn Priest.  So Corey and Jonah got to go to Legoland and then go to the funeral before coming home.  It was a whirlwind trip because I had them fly into LAX because it was less expensive and their flight was delayed and it took them forever to get their rental car.  But they still had fun.  Jonah was very exhausted when they got home.  It was also in the middle of the week so Corey wouldn't have to take extra time off work.  I'm glad we were able to make sure Jonah got to go.

Westley is SIXTEEN!!

Westley is finally sixteen and can legally date and will be driving soon.  He just has to finish his driver's ed course and go get his license.  I made him a "marching band" cake, using decorative toothpicks as the band members.  He loves to play his trumpet, hang out with friends, and draw.  We love you, Westley!