"You Are The Reason" - Prom 2018

This weekend, our girlie had her last High School Prom.
She graduates in just 2 weeks!

They had so much fun!

Their group was at our house for a little bit of the day date 

and you could hear the laughter come rolling up the stairs. 

How I love that sound!!! 

=D

How grateful we are 

that the twigs have had 

such hard-working, fun-loving, kind, 

good friends through High School!

“Walk with the dreamers, the believers, the courageous, the cheerful, 

the planners, the doers, the successful people 

with their heads in the clouds 

and their feet on the ground.” 

-Wilfred Peterson

“Surround yourself with people who have 

dreams, desire, and ambition; 

they’ll help you push for, and realize your own.” 

-Anonymous

"Add to brotherly kindness charity,"

-2 Peter 1:7

The "royalest" of friends...

A year ago I posted here about Zac and his fantastic friends 

who voted him Prom King. I wrote...

"I've been thinking what it means when a girl or boy is crowned Prom Royalty.

I believe it means the ones wearing the crowns

have the very very best of friends:

unselfish, kind, thoughtful, generous friends

who see the best in others,

friends who make a difference in others' lives

and never even know it."

“Friendship," said Christopher Robin, "is a very comforting thing to have.” 
-A.A. Milne"

 

So when Hunter came home from Prom just the other night,
wearing a crown like Zac's,
I was sooo confused.
"Why was Hunter wearing Zac's Prom King crown?

Turns out it wasn't Zac's crown, it was Hunter's Prom Prince crown. 

Wow, what friends!

"When a girl or boy is crowned Prom Royalty. 

I believe it means the ones wearing the crowns

have the very very best of friends:

unselfish, kind, thoughtful, generous friends

who see the best in others,

friends who make a difference in others' lives

and never even know it."

“Friendship," said Christopher Robin, "is a very comforting thing to have.” 
-A.A. Milne"

Prom excitement...

Prom was last weekend. The days before Prom were filled with so much excitement and planning and excitement and rearranging of plans and excitement!!

The Prom group asked if we were available to take a few pictures and we were so excited (there's that word again) because you know what that means? We'd get to spend a little time with the whole amazing group of kids. I know it's often said kids these days are incredible. That's 'cause it's true...these kids are incredible!!

Earlier in the day we went scouting for indoor and outdoor photo locations at Station Park, talked to several nice security guards, and got a permission/waver form turned in. We returned that evening to await the "excitement" of the group's arrival.

Then we got the phone call...they had driven to the wrong location, were at the dance, had missed so much of it already that they just wanted to stay there, could we come to the dance? If not, it was okay. More excitement!

 The dance location was packed with incredible High School kids so the only option was outside in the dark..."excitement". 

These are our "in the dark with a flash" pictures of the excitement!

The kids all looked amazing!!

Thank the Heavens we got a tiny break in the torrential rain storm! You can still see the rain dripping off the white lattice.

What fun, incredible kids! Loved all the excitement!

How about this! Real pictures taken by Hunter's sweet date's Mom. Thank you Mrs. L!!

The weekend of hats!

The oldest twig had a weekend to remember and it all involved hats. 

The first hat was bright purple and had a tassel hanging from it with a big number 14. 

There aren't enough thanks we can give to all the people who contributed to this accomplishment. To teachers, counselors, administrators, staff, and those who make the early college scholarship possible... with much emotion and gusto we say, "Thank you!"

This twig is one hard-working dude. I still have trouble imagining that a 17-year-old boy can earn an Associates Degree before graduating High School. Congrats big guy! He wasn't alone either, as a whopping 55% of this High School graduating class earned their Associates Degrees. Amazing, absolutely amazing!

The second hat was a gem-encrusted shiny thing. 


He came home from Prom wearing it.

There's a king in the house. Rumor whispered that an awesome friend (Zach V.) may have had something to do with the nomination. Thanks dude - you rock!

I've been thinking what it means when a girl or boy is crowned Prom Royalty. I believe it means that:
The ones wearing the crowns have the very very best of friends: unselfish, kind, thoughtful, generous friends who see the best in others. Friends who make a difference in others' lives and never even know it.

“Friendship," said Christopher Robin, "is a very comforting thing to have.”
― A.A. Milne


We're crazy about these boys!

A huge shout out to the Hansons who, as the group plans were being made, seemed to get more and more to do. What amazing people, great photographer & cook, and how about that fabulous back yard! 

Just two nights later, the oldest twig was wearing a third hat. 

This one brought with it years of scouting memories: campfires, crazy deep-fried concoctions, night games, friends, blizzards, and service. 

For his High School Capstone Project, he earned his Venturing Trust Award and shared his beliefs and experiences in a presentation about scouting and its purpose of teaching boys to become honorable men.

The most important of these memories are of honorable, devoted men who have taught and shaped him. What a difference they've made! We send to all of you our heartfelt love and gratitude. We will strive to live each day to repay the debt.