Seeing old friends...

There are many advantages to living in Florida but one of the best ones is seeing old friends who come into town! Kim and I neglected to get a photo together but we got Trenton and Sage together! Genni joined Matt on his business trip so how fun it was to spend time with her riding coasters and seeing SeaWorld! And a huge highlight for Sage was seeing Rylee, one of her best and first friends from Mason and her sweet family! We LOVE visitors!

Middle School here she comes!

Who knew this poor child would have attended six different schools BEFORE even entering Middle School?!? She attended a private PreK program in Snoqualmie before attending Cascade View Elementary for Kindergarten. Then we moved to Mason where she attended 1st and 2nd grades at Mason Early Childhood Center, third grade at Western Row Elementary and 4th and 5th grades at Mason Intermediate. Then we moved to Windermere and she attended the last semester of 5th grade at Bay Lake Elementary and will now transition to Bridgewater Middle School to start 6th grade. Fingers crossed she will finish middle school at the same one she started at... :)

Although the transition into Florida schools was far from easy for each of the kids, Sage had an especially rough time. Thankfully, by the end of the semester, she had adjusted quite well, gained a few close friends and came to really enjoy her teacher. She had also joined a singing group called the Lyrical Lyons which she really enjoyed and I have to admit I was thrilled when I learned they'd be performing at the 5th grade moving up ceremony because at least that guaranteed her getting up on stage...one way or another. What a pleasant surprise it was though when we found ourselves whipping out our camera throughout the whole program as Sage's name was read for one award after another. It was so cute to see the excitement on her face as she walked up on stage, especially when they read her name for being a recipient of the Presidents Education Award! Admittedly Jack and I giggled wondering if there had been a mix up but sure enough her teacher confirmed she got the award because she earned the award!

Leave it to Sage to end up front and center...



Ms Donaldson, Sage's teacher!



Friends...




Good bye 5th grade...

Happy Half-Century to this man!

Well we didn't get to celebrate Jack the way we had all hoped to, (in our new house out on the lake) since we have yet to see even a roof go on the darn thing, but we didn't let that stop us from hunting him down at his office to highlight his age in donuts! We arrived to find a decorated office done by members of his team who had also showered him with cards and gifts. He is loved!



If you were to ask Jack what's one birthday wish he has, he'd tell you it would be to see his whole family out on the golf course as much as possible. None of us are great but he'd love to see us all improve together! So in the spirit of working towards that goal it only made sense that Jack should get new clubs and a new bag as we settle into the Florida golf lifestyle!

We sure love you Jack! You are an amazing caretaker, loyal friend, hard worker, and the most driven person I know. Not only do you have a compassionate heart, but you are young at heart. We love your stories, dinner discussions you lead and life lessons you share. You mean the world to us and we are so grateful to have you in our lives. xo