Pool

This past weekend we purchased JT's first pool! It's just a little wading pool for JT to enjoy and cool off in the hot summer sun, but for him I'm sure it equals a ton of fun! While we have a community pool to enjoy, we thought having a personal pool for JT would allow me some flexibility as I care for a few children and if they happen to be napping, I can allow JT to have some water fun with either myself or his sisters watching him out in the backyard.

 Here is our handsome boy ready to get wet. I loved his little swim shirt and surf board trunks.

 Lindsay and JT posing for Mom outside of his pool.

 It didn't take long for JT to start splashing!

 His toy boat was perfect to play with in the water.

 Screaming with delight!

Here are 2 videos for you to enjoy. Email blog visitors, you will have to log in to see the videos. Just as a side note, the background buzz/hum that you might notice isn't lawnmowers- it is the millions of cicadas that have infested middle Tennessee! These bugs have made their 10 year appearance and they are at their peak from what I have read. There are so many, I can't even describe- the noise is unbelievable during the day and you can see their little red bodies flying about everywhere!

Lindsay teaching JT how to blow water bubbles.

Rainbow

Last night we had a wonderful surprise after dinner- a full rainbow!!! After a pretty stormy week, this was such a treat. This was JT's first rainbow to see where he was able to identify what we were showing him. The excitement he had in his voice as he kept saying "rainbow" was so sweet. We happened to be reading a book with a rainbow in it this week, so what he was seeing was quite relevant. 

 Courtney and JT were the first outside so I took a few pictures before getting Lindsay.

 Here is the whole gang (Sarah was having dinner at Doug's house). Dexter joined the fun as well. Not sure if you can tell in this shot above, but there was actually a slight double rainbow- look to the left of the main rainbow.

 As the kids ran around in the light rain. I took a few more pictures showing that it was a full rainbow.

Also whenever I see a rainbow, I can't but think of God's promise that he said to Noah after the Great Flood. It says in Genesis 9:11-16 "I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”

 ¹² And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: ¹³ I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. ¹⁴ Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, ¹⁵ I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. ¹⁶ Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”

Grad Party

After all of the excitement of graduation, we kicked it into full gear to host our first ever large party at the house. We invited close friends of ours as well as Sarah's friends to celebrate. I was a bit nervous as we were expecting between 35-40 guests- the largest party we have ever hosted. 

 Here is Sarah with some of the decor . Blue and orange balloons, her high school's colors. You can perhaps see the "Class of 2011" table cloth as well.

 The morning of the party the girls helped finish one of the desserts- cake balls! My Aunt Cathy passed along the recipe and said they were one of the new trendy "it" things this year. Turns out Aunt C was right! The cake balls were a huge hit and quite yummy :)

 A picture of the plate- we had matching napkins, tablecloth, and the Congrats Grad sign also was from the same collection.

 Here are a few pictures of the spread- all homemade by the Apedaile6! Caravan sandwiches(3 different meats), veggie tray, 7 layer dip...

 food continued- what is in the center of this photo is chicken salad in mini phyllo cups, also not pictured is my  family's famous Artichoke chili cheese dip.

 Here is our dessert area. With Sarah not being a fan of cake we decided to have some fun. We had 2 kinds of cake balls(chocolate and white chocolate), monster cookies, and rice crispy treats.

Close up pic of the Monster Cookies. They are so good! Made with peanut butter, oatmeal, M&M's, 2 big bars of milk chocolate(cut up), and a whole bunch of stuff that is probably not good for you. Of course JT kept asking for "cookies" when he saw these but since he is allergic to PB, he couldn't have one. I don't make these very often now because of his allergy.

I didn't take any more pictures that evening. It was so nice to have our friends come and celebrate Sarah's graduation. Both John and I were able to mingle and talk to our guests, so there wasn't really any time to snap photos. So that part of the celebration will have a photo in our minds instead of on "film". Thanks again to those who came, sent cards of congratulations, and calls to Sarah this week. We love you and thank you for your friendship to our family.

Graduation

The day finally arrived- Graduation! Something that seemed so far away when Sarah was born, yet came so quickly. This will be a photo heavy post as the pictures are pretty self explanatory.

Our Graduate!!!

 Yes that is a dress that I am sporting- not used to it, but I felt quite pretty in it :) Thanks to John for helping select the dress and Sarah with the necklace.

  "You better stay out of trouble!"

 JT wasn't in the best of photo taking moods, so he wasn't in very many :(

 Grandma and Grandpa C. (John's Mom and step Dad)

 The graduation services were held at our church, Long Hollow. This is a photo of the big screen showing Sarah marching in. I was also so thankful that our church ran a live feed online which allowed some of my family members to watch the service.

 We didn't get a lot of photos during the service because 1. Sarah was in the 2nd row, so we couldn't see her very well. 2. The lighting on the stage wasn't great for taking pictures.

 Walking up to the assistant principal to accept her diploma!

 Tassel to the left, we have a graduate!!!

 Holding her diploma

 Sarah and her boyfriend Doug.

 Sarah and Ariel

 Sarah and Delaney

 John went after the service with the girls to get JT who was spending some time at our friends house. Thanks so much Michael and Erin (Finn too!) for letting JT have fun at your house instead of being bored out of his mind with us.

 Doug, Grandma, Sarah, and Kameron

Me, Doug, Sarah, and Grandpa.

Phantom

     A few months ago Courtney changed instruments from clarinet to saxophone. This was something she has to try out for in band, so it was quite the accomplishment for her. Courtney, being someone to challenge herself, wanted to play some songs that she enjoyed personally.  So she looked up music online and eventually bought some at a local store.

     One of her favorite musicals/plays is The Phantom of the Opera. All of the girls have watched it multiple times. Here are 2 videos of Courtney's song selections from Phantom. I'm so impressed with Courtney's abilities as this is her 1st playing any instrument and she has only been playing the sax for about 3 months.

Think of Me

Angel of Music

Senior Recognition and Baccalaureate

     Sunday kicked off Graduation week for Sarah! She officially graduates on Saturday and is finished with school tomorrow. Sunday at church all of the seniors who wanted to participate were a part of the Senior Recognition service. It was simply a brief calling of names with a picture slide show as you see below. As their names were called, the Student Ministry Pastor presented each student with a new study Bible. Sarah was excited because it was the very Bible she had been considering purchasing as her's is falling apart from her frequent use.

     Then later that afternoon, our church held the Baccalaureate service. How it was for us is any Senior that wanted to be a part of the service, regardless of what school they attend could be a part of the service. So it is an optional event that is mainly geared toward those who attend Long Hollow. When I graduated (Oh so long ago), the Baccalaureate service was a school event held at a local church. It was nice, but it was school orientated rather than church oriented. I thought this style was more personal and quite touching.

Sarah wore her cap and gown to the Baccalaureate service. She was excited to give her "cap hair" a trial run for the big show on Saturday.

Photos with friends...

 Sierra

 Flashing their '11's!

 Sarah, Emily and Paige with their 2 Sunday School teachers.

Cute heart hands...

 Kelsey

Proud Parents