Kevin Graduates!!!

Well . . . we officially have a kid on his way to highschool!  There are definitely a lot of different emotions surrounding this momentous occasion of Gr. 8 Grad!! 

We are first of all thankful . . . that Kevin has reached this milestone and passed!  We are thankful that he has received a great education - both his years of home schooling (hard to imagine those days!!) and his years at CCS.  I have fond memories of both and so does he.

We also feel a little . .. . sad?!  It feels a bit like the end of an era.

We feel just a tad . . . old!  Personally I can remember my own grade 8 graduation very well.  Wasn't that long ago!!  So how did we get here so fast?!!

We are excited. Graduation is an exciting day and we are happy to celebrate with him.

We may or may not have waited til two weeks before grad to go shopping. It almost ended up in a formidable fail as we spent at least three hours going through every store in the mall possible. In one last ditch effort we headed back to the very first store and decided to ask for help. (we got smart along the way).  But before we had a chance to ask . . . . the jacket of his size and stature kind of jumped out at us. After that, the rest was EASY! Shirt, shoes, pants, tie . . the rest just fell into place so easy. We were very happy at that point to have something to take home . . . .b/c we didn't really have a great plan B!

We think he looked pretty handsome:)

Kevin and Kate!  Cousins and comrades!  I am thankful for their relationship and the years that they had and will continue to have together in school.  I think Kate helps keep Kevin on the straigher and narrower.

Jo and Kate

Kev and his proud parents.

I think this is a great picture:)  They definitely belong together!

The whole class!  12 girls and 4 boys.

Grass stains!!  Somehow boys just don't do pictures that superbly well!

The four boys!  Lookin' good:)

Receiving his diploma!

The verse chosen for Kevin was Proverbs 19:20-21

"Listen to advice and accept discipline and at the end you will be counted among the wise.  Many are the plans in a person’s heart,  but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails."

I thought it was very perceptive of Kevin when he told me that they totally picked that verse on purpose for him.  He realized that it wasn't just a random verse assigned to him!  It is a good verse for Kev (and all of us!), and it is our prayer that he would heed godly advice and be willing to learn and that he would really believe the truths in these verses!

His diploma and his new Bible.

The picture board we put together to hang up at the grad.

Kevin's silhouette.  They had a silhouette of each student hanging up on the walls.  I have to say that some were really easy to pick out and some were rather hard. I didn't guess Kevin's . . .but I can see it now . . . minus the pointy nose:)

Congratulations Kevin!! We are proud of you.

COPA 2015

After missing a few years . . . someone gave me a timely reminder, so off we went to the airport!

This time Kylie was old enough to do more than just wait!

She has been in a small plane once already, so she was not really nervous or unsure.  

She was quite excited (and emphatic) about going with Devin and Emily though!

After a reasonable wait, they were ready to go.

Off they went .  . .

And back on land after their flight . . .

Aren't they just so color coordinated?!!

Kade had to wait a little longer because he wanted to go alone with the pilot.  It took a while for the plane to get started and these are their smiles when it finally started up:)

Flying . . .

And landed.

Kevin opted to go the helicopter route this time and really enjoyed the experience.

Another fun experience and program and morning.  Definitely glad we took the time out of a busy Saturday to enjoy this opportunity again.

Pinery 2015

This little cartoon ACTUALLY DOESN'T describe our little weekend at the Pinery!!! Well . .  . not all of it . . . not even most of it! We arrived Friday afternoon/evening and we didn't get a single drop of rain until Sunday evening at 10pm . . . .at which point we just went to bed . . . so it was really no big deal!!  EXCEPT . . . that it didn't stop raining . . . and it just kept raining as we woke up, had breakfast, and packed up.  Less than ideal!   BUT as we loaded ourselves into the van  (which was rather full even before we put the humans in) soggy and groggy . . . Raffi burst on with, "The more we get together . . . .the happier we'll be!" and I thought, "Yep, that's about right.  Time with friends is so valuable and I'm really glad that we took the time to get away for a little bit and enjoy the company of our dear friends Mike and Jenn and family!" 

 

We began the weekend with coffee and a campfire  . . . two of my favorite things about camping

Saturday morning was more of the above and then we headed out for a hike!  The Pinery is huge and especially if you are not familiar with it, seems a little overwhelming! Thankfully Jenn knows the place and was quick to point out the best things for the best times.

 A colorful bunch!

We ended up at the beach . . . and though we were all fully clothed and though the water felt much like ice, it didn't stop certain crazy individuals from entering.

And though most stopped at their feet . . . or knees . . . Kade and Ian were fearless and kept right on going.  They actually had brain freeze from the water, but they stayed and enjoyed the water for quite a while!

Karter enjoyed the stones, and the water combination. It kept him well entertained.

Then it was back to the campsite.

After lunch we went back to the beach and this time everyone was ready and dressed!

There was lots to do on the beach and in the dunes and they got plenty dirty. 

Jonathan made her go in and get washed off.  BRRR.

Lots of shivers  . . . and chattering teeth!

Kevin as usual stayed 98 % dry and gave the water a wide berth.

Konnor enjoyed his time at the beach. This kid is just so easy going!

More campfire time after church on Sunday.

A group picture . . .  looking good;)

My dear friend Jenn and I.  Can you believe that we get mistaken for eachother over and over??   I blame it on the hair colour/last name combination.   Funny to me every time!

One more visit to the beach before the sun went down . . . .

This girl is so full of life!

Kevin, Kade, Ian, Jordan

Konnor and Jonathan

The four boys made a fairly decent raft . . . until they set sail.  Then there were lots of things floating in various directions in the lake.

Kylie and her imagination at work again . . . 

Thanks Mike and Jenn and family for another super fun weekend!  It was good to get away and even though the time went by far too fast, we enjoyed the time we had.  We hope Ian will allow you to carry on our tradition despite his severe bout of poison ivy!  Thanks for your friendships and the good talks (limited though they were this time around!).  Thanks also for the sugar and for covering for us with all the other things we forgot or didn't get around to!  You guys are the best. Till next time!