School's Out!

The end of the school year has arrived and to punctuate the end of this season we were blessed to be able to celebrate Nikolas' graduation from high school!  

To join us in the celebration, my parents and my niece Kylee traveled out for a few days.  The last time we were able to spend time with them was for Jozsef's graduation three years ago, so it was really nice that they could make it out.  

We took the opportunity to honor all of our kids moving up--Connor graduated 8th grade, Nikolas and my niece Kylee both graduated High School, and Sonja completed Elementary school this year

My niece Kylee and my parents-  the Grands McMahon

The Grands and the Grandkids present

We had intended to have a backyard ceremony for Nikolas, but five days of solid rain and high humidity shifted us to plan B which placed us in the living room for graduation.  Nikolas donned the traditional cap and gown and walked down the hallway to make his entrance into the living room to the sound of the classic graduation march.  John, as acting school Principal, coordinated and facilitated the ceremony which was opened with prayer and a formal welcome for our guests before John made a short speech.  I, acting as School Administrator and Lead Teacher also gave a short speech before Nikolas took front and center to present the speech he had written.  John presented Nikolas with his official diploma and everyone clapped, shouted praises, and deployed small confetti cannons.  :-)  

The official declaration of graduation, presentation of the diploma, and the handshake

Diploma in hand--it's real now!

He's so done!

When the ceremony was over, we had a luncheon followed by gifts and cake.  The rest of the day was spent just playing games and spending time together. 

John, Me, and My Parents

The girl cousins--Sonja, Kylee, Hannah

Riley made a Lego mini figure Graduate for Nikolas

These cousins spent their youngest years as a trio.  They aren't in the same space often, but they have no trouble clicking back together when they are 

Nikolas is thrilled to be done with High School.  His plan is to increase his work hours and spend time exploring options during this gap year.  With so many things rapidly changing in the world around us, all of what Nikolas thought he would pursue has been altered and now he goes back to the drawing board to craft a new plan.  In the meantime, he is blessed to have a great work environment and team to function with and learn from while he serves in leadership and strives to increase his skills across the board.  We trust that this is a time of molding and fashioning Nikolas for the next phase of God's leading in his life.  ;-)  Congratulations Nikolas!    May you continue to lean into the Lord and grow in His wisdom as you trek on into your future in this world! 

Twenty One

 

Riley made a Lego sign for Jozsef's special day--complete with a Stargate!

Right after Hannah's birthday, we had the joy of celebrating Jozsef's birthday.  This year marked the year he became fully legal--he's 21!  We had a full day of balanced rest and celebration--just what Jozsef was looking for.  After a restful morning, we went out for a hibachi late lunch/early dinner.  

Our servers were fun (yeah buddy!) and the atmosphere was certainly celebratory as Jozsef ordered his meal and his first adult drink.  :-)  

The official carding of the drink purchaser :-)  

The food was great and we left very satisfied.  The rain kept us from any outdoor activities, but we shifted gears and went home for cake and gift opening followed by the re-emergence of the treasured Stargate series (the absolute favorite of Jozsef, and he's successfully indoctrinated the other children). 

"All things lead back to Stargate", says Jozsef, and the crazy thing is, that is often true!

Before you know it, the day was done but the joy remained.  The man-child is now fully man, and we couldn't be happier.  Welcome to all that is adult, Jozsef!  Happy Birthday!  We love you! 

One Growing Girl

 The littlest of the bunch just celebrated her birthday.  She's nine now. :-)  

We had somewhat of an unconventional celebration for her.  As is happened, we were invited to another gathering on the day of her birthday.  I was hesitant to accept the invitation, though we all wanted to go.  It was decided that Hannah needed to give her approval--and she was more than happy to have a party for her birthday. :-)  The host family heard that it was Hannah's birthday and they were sure to make an issue of it.  The party included a festive song and a gift for the birthday girl.  Add that to smores, games, and fellowship and there was lots of fun to be had.  Not to mention that her Sunday school class sang to her and we had cake and gifts at home before the party.  

What a full day!  And what a happy girl!  Welcome to nine Hannah!  We love you! 

Wheels

 Nikolas, being an employed young man and a newly licensed driver, has been planning to make his first vehicle purchase.  The journey from transportation dreams to reality is always interesting.  Like many dreams, where you begin verses where you end is usually not the same vision.  Nikolas began dreaming of fun sporty cars and moved his way into sturdy and reliable work horses.  Not that owning a fast car isn't great fun in its own way, but that when you are a young man, those modes of transportation are fraught with expenses of various kinds, which is why so many men own race cars in their golden years.  :-)  

When Jozsef embarked upon his vehicle ownership quest, he did not begin with many preconceived notions about which car he needed, rather he pretty quickly decided to go with a reasonable car that would fit his budget and his personality.  Enter the HHR.  :-)  Now, Jozsef did admit that a truck would have been great, but he was well aware of the cost and was not willing to spend such money.  Now that Nikolas was in the market, there were many conversations about vehicle models and their pros and cons as well as their expenses.  In the end, the boys devised a plan to combine their purchasing power and to buy a truck so that they could add a beneficial vehicle to the family.  Though the truck would be rightfully theirs they found great advantages to having a truck to load up for hauling and/or towing and they loved the idea of having 4x4 capabilities because we do actually get quite the weather out here.  The boys also decided that sharing a vehicle was far more economically beneficial for the both of them rather than each of them owning their own car, paying their own insurance and paying gas for two cars--especially when they always carpool to work and they both still live at home.  Now, don't go worrying about when they move out--they've already discussed several scenarios and potential resolutions for how to handle the truck ownership and the possibility of needing another vehicle.  :-) 

With a target model and price range decided, they began the search in earnest.  In truth, Jozsef, having already purchased a vehicle, gave some input but truly let the brunt of the truck search fall on Nikolas so that Nikolas could lead the hunt and gain the knowledge that comes with such a first big buy.  The search lasted about two months and entertained many discussions before a very promising Dodge Dakota surfaced.  Nikolas got very excited and a bit anxious as he realized just how competitive the car market currently is, yet he remained grounded in God's faithfulness and did not neglect praying over the situation (and we joined him) which helped to let him go into the deal open handed.  Still, things moved very quickly and before we knew it, John and the two older boys headed out in the HHR to see if the listed Dakota looked as good in real as it did in photos.

The guys were greeted by dealers who were quite experienced and very client oriented.  The truck had an impressive history--one owner who took great care of his truck and barely put any miles on it.  Jozsef negotiated a trade in and got almost as much as he paid for it (minus $500)!  Such a blessing!  God was definitely in the details and the boys came home beaming!  :-)  Nikolas had made his first vehicle purchase, Jozsef had successfully negotiated his first vehicle trade in, and the boys were officially truck owners.  Oh happy day!  

Now the boys will set out to personalize their new ride and they will enjoy every God given moment in it as well.  :-)  Congratulations Boys!  

Moving Up

 This school year is a milestone year for more than just our graduating senior, though his is a huge mile marker.  The ending of this school year also means that Sonja completes Elementary School and moves into Jr. High next fall while Connor exits Jr. High and begins counting down his High School years.  There's a lot of celebrating going on over here! 

Though we don't traditionally make more than a nod and a mention at leaving elementary school, we do more overtly acknowledge eighth grade graduation.  Connor had the fun of taking graduation photos and he will receive his certificate of completion at the end of the term--which is right around the corner! 

Of course, Nikolas had a photo shoot and we'll enjoy a graduation celebration in a couple of weeks.  We had so much fun on his photo shoot.  Our top photo lady, Heather, helped us capture some great memories of Nikolas looking quite dapper in his cap and gown and we couldn't be more grateful to her for her time and talents.  

Congratulations to our students for all of your hard work and tenacity in getting this far! 

Licensed to Drive

 It's official!  Nikolas is the newest driver of the house!  He had a few delays to deal with--not by his own accord but rather due to cancel culture and a computer system update at the Motor Vehicles Department that appears to have set the department back rather than help them to jump ahead.  However, the wait was worth it and now Nikolas can cancel one more thing off of his list of "things to do in growing up". :-) Congratulations Nikolas!  See you on the road!  :-) 

Right on Target

 

The younger siblings decorated Connor's bedroom door for him.  They even filled some of the balloons with confetti--it was very celebratory! 

On Star Wars Day this year, Connor turned 14!  He asked for a big boy day out and that's what he got.  We worked around school and employment schedules in order to have all of us participate in his celebration.  First, Nikolas and I took him to the Military Surplus store.  

That place is a dusty treasure trove for a guy like Connor!  We didn't explore every nook and cranny, but we saw a lot, picked up a couple of shirts for Connor, and vowed to return soon.  :-)  Next we met up with Jozsef and headed out to the range where Connor was educated on a few different pieces and had a chance to put in a little practice.  

The boy is a natural!  He has great form and accuracy and he was pretty proud of his results.  We were impressed.   :-)  

We all had a great time getting some practice in and it felt like we had to leave too soon, but we wanted to meet up with the rest of the family for more fun.  The next phase of celebration happened at the bowling alley.  

The younger kids bowled while the older boys challenged each to a few rounds of billiards.  Somewhere in between we had some finger foods for dinner.  It was a great night.  

We left the alley to return home for cake and gifts.  Before you knew it, the night had gone long and everyone was pretty tuckered out.  

Connor was thrilled with his day and his gifts--he got so many good ones.  He'll be busy for a bit tinkering with new things and I love that.  Fourteen years with this creative and comical guy have been wonderful.  I look forward to what lies ahead for him--especially since he finishes Jr High this year and begins the top tier High School journey in the fall!  Happy Birthday, Connor! We love you! <3