Memorial Day Fun

 Over Memorial Day, we had the family over to celebrate all of the April, May and June birthdays (a lot!), as well as having a play date for Addison's friends for end of the school year and then we went over to Js on Monday for a cook-out.  Why can't every weekend be a long weekend!?

Love this little girl!

And this special lady!

The girls had a grand time tubing, and then playing on the Js lily pad while we paused to watch the weather to ensure that it wasn't going to storm.

Lily, Addi, Alison, Penny, Lele and Elin

While at the Js on Monday, the kids had a great time going jet skiing, which is a fun activity as we don't have one.  Thanks Js for building on the lake and buying jet skis!

Addison and Elin with  Uncle Kent

Karis and Kaleb

That week was Amy and Kari's birthdays, and we went out to eat Mexican (for some reason Zach wasn't able to make it, possibly he was golfing).  We went to a fun place - good food!  The next day we went to Grain and Berry for Karis' birthday, but the poor guy had such a bad headache that we quickly ate and went home so that he could rest - thus no pictures.

Passage of Time - 1-12th grade

It is hard to believe our precious son is graduating from high school.  We are so proud of Zachary, and love him to the moon and back.  He has been a good kid - worked hard in school, graduated with high honors even when he doesn't love school, stayed out of trouble even when those around him were experimenting, and been a loving kid (let's be clear, not without his moments of sass but that's true of most teens 😂).  He will be heading off to Southern in the fall, and we will miss him terribly.  We pray that God leads in his life and that he finds true joy as he passes this milestone.  We welcome your prayers as well as he navigates this change of life - it is a lot for young people but we know that he is up to the challenge!

Here are his school pictures - sadly the 5th grade is MIA, but we have the rest!  And afterwards is a video that we played at the grad luncheon of memories over the years - there were pictures from each boy, but as this is the Z blog, we are just sharing Zachary's pictures as the full video was much longer!

kindergarten

grade 1

grade 2

grade 3

grade 4

grade 6

grade 7

grade 8

grade 9

grade 10

grade 11

And his Senior class pictures:

Final Graduation Ceremony

Saturday night is when the kids get their actual diploma.  Jeff and Niesha were able to come, and in a last minute realization that we had extra tickets still, Amy called Kelli as the Js have been so close to us (especially after living in our back yard for a year), and while the other Js were already in their PJs, she dashed over to the graduation to participate. 💗

Finished! congratulations on the high honors!

Congratulations kiddo!

Kelli, Jeff, the Zs (Addison is who knows where in the mass of people), Niesha is taking the picture, and of course Grandma and Grandpa

One with Niesha

Here she is!

Thank you dear friend, it meant a lot to us!

Afterwards, there was a class pool party over at Dehlingers, so he headed over there.  Then another later that week at another friends - it was a nice way to end the year.

Saturday Graduation Luncheon

 As mentioned, we had a haystack luncheon for the graduating boys and invited those who have been close to us over the years.  It was a fun day, and super fun to see the boys reminiscing as they went from table to table looking at each other's pictures!

Blake, Luke, Cristian, Aiden, Jake and Zach

The moms

Luke's dad Rob had slipped out at this point, so he isn't pictured but this is the rest of the dads.

Blake and Zach - best friends since they were 18 months old

Literally Luke and Zach have known each other since they were born - just 3 days apart

Looking at each other's baby pictures...

Blake, Luke, Matt, Zach, Aiden, Jake and Cristian

A picture of the whole room

We invited those who have been near and dear to us, and here are a few of them:

Grandma and Grandpa

Steinkes

Johnsons

Cochrans

Azevedos

This is Miss Joann - their boss at the church over the last 4 years - she was incredibly good to these boys!

Sweet Sadie!

Holding some of his trophies along with the picture from FCSL as we took down the room afterwards

Friday Graduation Ceremony

 FLA graduation has three events - Friday night, Sabbath morning and then the official graduation Saturday night.  Lots of opportunities to walk up and down the promenade and for parents to get pictures - much to Zachary's delight aka horror. 😍

On Friday night is when the parent tributes occur, the kids video a thank-you to the parents and then bring a flower down.  It is a lovely time.  Zachary was nervous about it, but Amy's response "Make it good, but use all resources such as chat-gpt if you need!" 😂  He did a great job, and said it wasn't as hard as he anticipated.  

Afterwards everyone crowds around outside in the dark to take pictures - not the best, but you try and congregate under the lights so that you can see their faces!

Zergherm kids

Erick and Zach

A future graduate in the making