Bar Mitzvah

Our nephews had their Bar Mitzvahs on Saturday.  What a wonderful celebration!

Pumpkin sang a short little solo during the service.  It was my first Bar Mitzvah.  It was interesting.  The rabbi did a great job including all those present.

Look at my cute family:-)

 We look even better with the laser background, huh?

 Bet you can't pick out the 'ol Aunt that does not belong.  Had a nice time hangin' with my nieces.

 Look at those two.  Peanut did not get the memo.  He's making a face in every picture.

 Sisters are the best!

Here we go with another face by Peanut...I am wearing heels.  Look at Peanut's height.   He's close to passing me up!

 Look at all of us.  I love this picture.  It just makes my heart smile.

My mom did not make it, but she was there in spirit.  We got to spend some time with her before we headed back to TN.

8th Grade Graduation

Yep.  We had another graduation in the family.  The school refers to it as a promotion ceremony, but we called it graduation.  Peanut finished middle school and is headed to high school!

 The high schooler...

We went down to the square after the ceremony to grab some lunch.  I tested out my "new" camera.  I got it for Christmas, but just pulled it out.  I struggle with trying to take pictures or just enjoying the moment.

 Looks almost professional, huh?

 What is that look on Peanut's face?

 We had the noise going with the plaid shirt and the floral sweater!

A yummy lunch was had by all.  Per Peanut's request, we headed to the Nike store.  My new high schooler can never have enough athletic shoes!!

St Jude Childrens Research Hospital

My brother and SIL stayed for a few after graduation.  On their last day, I had to work in the morning.  We all scrambled and were able to make the afternoon tour at St Jude.  What an amazing place!  There is lots of sad things going on there, but they bring so much hope.  This is one of my favorites, the ice cream walls.  At St Jude, the kids can eat anything anytime. 

 Here is a display of flags representing where all the researchers come from.

 This is the rotunda.  It makes you think it is a huge kaleidoscope!

We grabbed some barbecue downtown after the tour.  Lots of folks owe their lives to St Jude.  We are glad to have them in our city performing all the miracles they do.

Two More...

A friend sent these two photos.  They were up in the balcony.  I love their vantage point.

Shaking the high school principal's hand...

The funniest thing - his curls kept getting caught in the 2013 of his hassle!

Graduation 2013!

Tickets were required for entrance to Pumpkin's graduation.  We decided to go early to save seats.  As we were headed out the door, Pumpkin tells us that he has to turn in his gown before he sees us again.  We needed to take family photos BEFORE.  The Big Guy was still in his shorts and tshirt.

So, my SIL snapped this one before we walked in to save seats.

 And, another one...

 This was on the big screen as we waited for the ceremony to start.

Traffic was heavy as you would expect with 472 graduates.  The Big Guy got there with a few minutes to spare.  I snagged him and we ran over to where Pumpkin was lined up.  He got to get in the special line as he sang the National Anthem.

His lovely counselor snapped a picture for us.  We got one with his cap and gown on!  We are standing on a ramp that sloped down in my direction.  I am not that short!!

 They were standing up on stage while the graduates processed in...

Then, he did his thing and sang the national anthem.  He did not look took nervous.  Earlier in the day, my stomach flipped just thinking of him singing.  In the moment, I was just grinning from ear to ear.

It took some time, but we were finally able to find him after graduation.  It was so hot!  They did a nice job.  The entire ceremony took less than an hour.

Family and friends joined us for dinner.  It was a wonderful evening.  It is still kind of surreal to have a son that is a high school graduate!!

Voice Recital

We started the busy weekend off with Pumpkin's last voice recital.  We recorded his songs, but the acoustics in the church make the recording very hard to hear.  You end up only hearing the piano.  Anyway, he sang the song, Channel of Your Peace.  It was lovely.  I snapped a few, not so good pictures, on my iphone.  I know a few are blurry but wanted to capture songs.  He also sang a song about the Gettysburg Address.  It was absolutely lovely.

 Here is the group.  The seniors are out front.  The studio has grown making for a very long recital!

Lastly, my sweet boy with his voice teacher.  I am so grateful for all that music does for him.  I pray he will find time to keep singing at the Academy.

More Prom

Bear with me as I bombard this blog with more prom photos.  I got copies of some from a real camera.  I know I am biased but they look adorable!

I love the shadow from the trees and the flashes of sunlight in this one.

 Pumpkin holds his left hand just like his dad does.  Is it innate or a learned behavior?

 This is a log cabin on the Collierville town square.  It dates back to pre-civil war.

 This looks like a picture taken by a professional photographer.  I am so grateful to have these photos.

 Here is the entire group.  Again, I am partial, but I love the coral color.

 Here are the handsome boys.  Not all of them got the memo to do the fig leaf pose.

 Pumpkin flashing his stripes...

 Still pinching myself that they are mine!

They had a great time at prom with the exception of Pumpkin mis-placing his car keys.  His date's mom ended up getting them at 3am and bringing them home because he could not find his keys.  We are not sure why he did not call us, but that is history.  He was a bit embarrassed.  The keys are on a big 'ol USCGA lanyard.  It took about half a day, but they turned up at the house where after prom was.  He was very relieved.

Tonight is Senior Awards Night.  A commander from the Coast Guard will be there to present Pumpkin with his certificate.  I pray I can hold it all together.  We are looking forward to it, though.  And, still very excited for him.  I think he is 46 days away from Reporting In!

Baccalaureate 2013

On Mother's Day, we started the week off with Graduation festivities...

In the sea of maroon, we spotted him!

Not the best expression on the Big Guy...

Hard to believe, but excited for the opportunities that await. 

 It was a beautiful day and we welcomed the sun in our eyes.

 The cap covers up all those precious curls.

 He is ready.  The top vestment is for National Honor Society.  The yellow stoll is for Beta Club.  The gold cord is for Cum Laude Society.  The bottom stoll designates year and high school.  We are very proud!