School is OUT For Summer!!

On Tuesday morning we went to get all the kids' report cards. They all did wonderful and ALL will be going to new grades next year. I have even updated my sidebar with their new information.

Here is Ben with his teacher....Deb Fehrenbacher
Ben outside Southside school. He will be going to Central School next year. He will be there from 3rd to 5th grade.
Here is Gabe recieving his report card from Ms. B. He will be at Southside for 1st grade. WOW! AND......it's official.....Ali is a graduate!! Her Diploma on graduation was blank until they all finished school but she did great on finals and here is her "signed" Diploma from EHS!
We did also go to the high school and junior high but Abby and Beau did not let me take photos of them at their schools?!

1st Camping of 2008!!!

We FINALLY got to go camping this weekend!! We have been wanting to go since the first of April but the weather has been so wet. We usually don't camp on holiday weekends because we don't like all the crowds but we just had to get out. We pulled the camper up Thursday night and Ben, Gabe and I stayed all night until Brian, Beau and Abby came up late Friday night.

Here is the "bouquet" of flowers Ben and Gabe picked for me in the woods!!
Ben and Gabe getting ready for one of their many bike rides. This is Gabe's first time camping since learning to ride his bike.....
Friday after noon the boys wanted to start a fire. Since this is usually dad's job we weren't really sure of all the steps to get a fire started. They worked for about 15 minutes. They were so excited when it worked!! They called dad right away to tell him......
These are the woods behind our campsite.....see Ben jumping over the ditch?? Mid-Air Shot!!! My 3 Sons.....camping and loving it!!!
Here is how Shakes spends the time camping.......right in the sun!!!

While hiking in the woods, Abby, Ben and Gabe found this baby deer. It was just born within the day. The Ranger said alot were being born at the Park this time of the year. He was so cute and did not move but we also did not touch him. This is the first time we have seen a newborn.
Of course......more fire playing!!! I don't know what it is with fire and boys... This is how Abby spent the weekend camping....yep on the computer!! We had great cell and internet service (which really was a bad thing!).... Last but not least......Brian doing his job of keeping the fire burning!!!

Alicia's High School Graduation!!!!

Ali graduated from Effingham High School yesterday, Sunday May 18. It was a beautiful day (just a little windy). After the ceremony we had cook out at Bliss Park. We are so proud of her and we know she is going to do whatever she sets her mind too!!!

Alicia Marie Pauline Schuette........Class of 2008!!! WOW.......

Walking in.......you know the song....I think it went on for about 10 minutes......
The 2008 Graduating Class.......Ali was sitting 6 rows back, 4 seats over (on this side)
Ali and her friends.......
Ali walking across the stage to get her diploma......She was smiling the whole time. Ali and her diploma!!! The funny thing is all of them were blank! :) They still have school/final exams this week so they will not get the signed one until next week.....Talk about just going through the motions!
Ali and Lauren......They are best friends......
Effingham High School........This is only half the school, it's a huge campus.
Gabe trying on the "hat"......he's only got 12 more years (Class of 2020)!!
Ali and the parents.......

Ali and the whole family.....
Ali and Grandma & Grandpa Schuette......
Ali and Grandpa Bo......
Ali and her cake......YUMMMMMM....

GOOD LUCK ALI!! WE LOVE YOU!!

An Invitation.....

We got this invitation in the mail a few days ago. At first we were like "OK?!" Then it hit us both (we had a few tears in our eyes).......




















Brian is a survivor!!! I am so proud of him and he really was my rock through all of this.

Brian saw his cancer doctor today and all his blood work looked normal and great. We don't have to see him for another 3 months.......so Brian is Cancer Free!!!! God is Good!!!!

BTW.....we are going to the dinner....should be a special night.

A Visitor.....

The boys found a turtle in our yard the other day.....I don't think the turtle knew what was getting into when he came into our yard!!! They are having a great time watching him. We are going to take him to the lake area this weekend......

I love this one with Ben looking at the turtle in the background.......
See the dogs looking out the window and thinking "What is that on OUR front porch???"
His colors are so bright.......
The boys and their new friend.......

Our Climbing Monkey!

The other day I was sitting at my desk and I could hear Gabe playing in his room, which is next to my office. Very calmly I hear....."Excuse me.....I need some help in here". I get up to see what is the matter and I find this....
















He had taken the ladder from the bunk bed and crawled acrossed to his closet!!! Then he was stuck and could not get back down. And yes....before I "rescued" him I got my camera out!! LOL



I really was not that surprised to see him up there.....he is always climbing up on things. He's our little Climbing Monkey!

Last PSR Mass......

The last PSR Mass for the year was held Wednesday (4/30). After Mass perfect attendance awards were given (Ben got one) and class recognitions. Sr. Alicia,Brian & Dixie decided to also start giving any senior who went to PSR all 4 years of high school a Bible. Ali and Gavin were the first to get ones!! They were really special Bibles and Sr. Alicia, Brian and Dixie all wrote something in them.

Mother's Day Program at ELC

Gabe had his Mother's Day Program at ELC yesterday. All the songs were an "American" theme. They had some great songs. They also did a song "You are My Mom" that was so sweet it had everyone in the room crying. They also did a great tribute to Mrs. Connie Dust, who was a teacher that passed away in November. She was a special lady. She was Beau's kindergarten teacher. They sang the song "I Hope You Dance", since that was her song she always had playing on power point of her students when the parents come to visit. On a sad note.....this is my LAST ELC program :( I can't believe I don't get to go to anymore kindergarten programs.....I love kindergarten!! Between kindergarten and preschool we have spent 7 years at ELC with the kids.....it's a special place for us.

See Gabe?? His right in the middle of the photo....
This is 3 Kindergarten classes.......
He got to do the triangle in one of the songs.....
Mom and Gabe....I just love his smile :)
Here is Gabe with his teacher Ms. B. (her name is Valerie Broeringmeyer, but it's easier to say Ms. B!) This is her first year teaching her own class. She has done a great job with Gabe and the other kids.

Gabe Riding His Bike!!!

Gabe Finally started riding his bike!! He was the easiest to teach. Brian only had to hold him one time and he was off!!!! He loves to go up and down the sidewalk and can't wait to take his bike when we go camping.

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!!!

WOW......41 years!!! May you have many more!!! We love you guys!!!

Ali's Senior Prom......

Ali had her Senior Prom last night (5/3). Her "date" was her friend Lauren. They looked beautiful. These photos were taken at Lauren's house. I can't believe this will be Ali's last dance in high school. Only a few more weeks and she graduates!!

Ali and Lauren.....They wore each others flowers since they were "dates"??
Ali looked so beautiful.....
Gabe went with me to take photos and the first thing he said about Ali's dress was that she looked like a CAKE?! Don't know where that came from.
This is my favorite one.....love the back of the dress. She's texting someone at this point......Go figure!!