While school is out for the kiddos......

this mama is hitting the books.

I guess I should say hitting the computer....literately!

I am taking 3 classes this summer to earn my masters. Two classes are online and one is a hybrid(which means 1/2 class and 1/2 online). The pictures above should explain why I have not posted much in the last 2 weeks. This is pretty much where I have spent everyday the last 2 weeks. I have not had this many papers and projects due since........well ever! Two of my classes that are usually covered over 16 weeks are crammed into 4 weeks. The other class is crammed into 8 weeks. I feel like I do not have a life! Hopefully, I can make it through the next 2 weeks without forgetting I have a family to love on and housekeeping to tend to. 

I will see all of you in a couple of weeks when I can breathe again!

One of the best things about having a nephew with a head full of hair

his aunts and cousin get to play with hair gel!

The Bumblebees

Ella decided she wanted to play softball this year. The last time she played she was 3. Life happened so she has not been able to play until this year. I didn't start playing until I was in the 3rd grade. Softball was my favorite sport to play! We will see in time if it is Ella's. The name of her team was the Bumblebees. This team had a lot of first year players on it so it was more of a learning year than a winning year. Even though I hated to see them loose, Ella learned a lot this season!

I was recruited to help coach. 

The great thing about living near family again is the cheering section is a little louder.

Last Saturday, Ella had her end of the season party. We met up at a local bowling alley for some bowling and awards.

Then and Now

That was the theme for Griffin and Michael's graduation celebration. I knew I wanted to incorporate pictures, past and present, into the decor for the room. I knew whatever I did it needed to be masculine. Pinterest definitely does not have as many cute ideas for boys as it does for girls. Since the boys both like blue, the color was the first thing chosen.

With some help from Pinterest, here is how it turned out.

These were placed in the middle of each table.

My favorite part was what was on both sides of the basket. 

I used left over vegetable and fruit cans to hold pictures from then and now. The picture above was Griffin when he was 1 and his senior picture. I did several with Griffin.

kindergarten and senior year

 

2005 and 2014

Griffin/Ashton and Griffin with the other Stowe cousins(minus Easton)

2005(Ella is the baby) and 2012

I did the same with Michael.

I did several with the both of them.

2000 and 2014

I had the picture of them in a twin bed from 1999. I took the other picture just a few days before graduation.

I had a great time putting all the pictures together and it gave the guest plenty to look at and reminisce. 

We set up a few tables up at the front of the room to display pictures, gifts and other memorabilia.

I will explain the blanket in another post.

I ordered a book for Griffin filled with all his senior pictures. I wanted a place for family to write something special to Griffin.

I ordered a sign to honor our 2 graduates. When I designed it, My intentions were for the party but also to put up in their dorm room.......if they wanted????  Without mentioning my thoughts, I was happy when they asked me if they could have it....for their dorm room!!!!!

For the main food table, I spray painted the numbers 2 0 1 4 and hot glued them to candlesticks for height.

The yummy food was definitely the best decor at this table. We had chicken fingers, homemade mac and cheese, green beans, broccoli salad and bread.

The dessert table was filled with yummy treats!

We had three types of cupcakes topped with a special graduation topper.

Red velvet with cream cheese icing.....Griffin's favorite!

Thank you to Laney and Ella for helping me make all the toppers!

We provided a few individual toppers for those who didn't want a cupcake or wanted extra.

The last item on the dessert table were the diplomas.

My brother in law did an awesome job putting together a video for everyone to watch! 

We had a great time celebrating 2 boys who will be going to college together in just a couple of short months..........yikes!

Graduation Celebration

We decided about a couple of months before graduation to have a combined celebration for both Griffin and Michael. Since we were going to have quite a bit of family in town and we would already be at the church building, we decided to have it in the fellowship hall. Once we decided on the venue, my mind begin racing and my fingers did a lot of pinning for ideas! I have a lot to share so I am going to break up this post into 2 parts. The first part will be pictures from the evening. The second part will be the decor and details of the party.

We had a great time eating, talking and reminiscing the past! Since I did not get a lot of pictures of my family with Griffin after graduation, you will see a lot of them.

Here are the 2 boys we were celebrating!

They were glad to be out of their cap and gown!

 This was Griffin's first time holding his new 6 week old cousin.

This is my granny. She is 92 but still is as active as a 40 year old. I was so glad she was able to come! Funny story about my granny. 

We were at graduation. Griffin was the very last one to get his diploma(not too many last names with X,Y or Z). The speaker was waiting on Griffin to get his picture made off to the side of the stage before the ceremony continued. At this point, everything was dead silent. Griffin gets his picture taken and as he starts walking back to his seat my granny yells......

Goooooo Griffin!

Yep.......that's my dear ole granny!