These photos were taken at Lori and David's house the weekend of Dustin's graduation party. Jill was not able to come for this event due to working in the ice cream parlor and needing the time off for Jamie's wedding in a couple weeks. Four of us girls were together, though, plus the nieces and some nephews. It was a great great time! Lots of laughs and wonderful fun with Lori and David's friends, and oh yes, Dustin's friends, too! I have no photos of Dustin somehow.......Enjoy!!!
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Mom lent her hand at cutting up the fruit after they arrived Saturday morning for the party. Of course, she was tired from the early departure and four hour car ride so she did not have to run the steps to help carry all the food out and get things set up. Mom was allowed to supervise from the kitchen table!
Kerry was a big help in the kitchen and with getting things set up. Kerry really loved Lori's decorating, since she had not seen the family room addition, garage addition or the new kitchen. Kerry is quite the go-getter, like my sis-in-law, Mona. She got busy with the fruit cutting along with Mom and Lynn, and then, being able-bodied, could run up and down the stairs with things for the party. While they did that, I made the coffee and lemonade, just like we have at church! Plus I cleaned up in the kitchen right behind all the workers. That I can do!
Much to my delight, Kerry came along to Dusty's graduation! She is not much of a car traveler but made the exception in this case. She said she had not been to Lori's since she was pregnant with Alayna, which was 18 years ago! Welcome back, Kerry!
The highlight for me was having my friends, Jerry and Judy Rusert, attend the gala event. They got to meet my peeps and be met by them. They were a hit! Mom approved of my friend choice, which I am glad about, because I would hate to not have them in my life any longer! Jerry forgot his hat so Lori went inside and came up with one for him. He looks so cute! Lori wants to get in touch with Judy some day and talk about me, so I am supposed to share their information. Let me think about that for a minute............nah, Lori would not throw me under the bus!
David had two of his bands scheduled to perform, the first one being "Holy Crap" a.k.a. "Saints and Sinners". Later on, Rose River, the group which performs at local bistros and events played and did a wonderful job. David's sister and a nephew joined the band as singers on a couple songs. In this shot are Kevin on drums, David on guitar, Lynn with tamborine, Sue on guitar, Jim and Tim behind them. Part of their banner appears in the foreground. Many of them go to church together too, which means they have overlapping connections. As night fell they had to quit playing as their hands were freezing!
All things are now ready, so Lori can finally sit down and take a break before the party gets completely underway. She had David cook the meat the night before so that would not take time on the day of the party. The ladies took care of preparing the veggie and fruit trays and some friends brought bars for dessert. There was also Dusty's graduation cake to be enjoyed. I have no decent photo of Dustin from his party somehow....He WAS there, I saw him!
Lori picked up a few toys and games for the kids to play with, not really anticipating that the teens would have more fun with the whiffle ball and plastic bat than the little ones would! Alayna's hair just glistens in the sun. Later in the day, we would gather around the firepit and hear some more music and warm ourselves, as the temps dropped as the day went on. Lori pre-heated our (Kerry's and mine) room and the bed for me using Dustin's heated mattress pad. Such a high-maintenance girl I am!
Standing around, watching the kids play are Kerry, Lynn, Mom and Lisa, who is hamming it up! All those in the photo have their hands in their pockets or on their hips....related? I think so!
Our hosts for the big graduation celebration, Lori and David. Aren't they a handsome pair?
Here I am at the Green Street Tavern with two of my friends, Dolly and Wendy. Dolly and I have been friends since 4th grade at First German, and Wendy a classmate through high school. Her locker was adjacent to mine and we got to see lots of each other. Dolly's and Wendy's lives have overlapped through the years, even their jobs matched! Dolly and I stay in touch now on a regular basis, and I will with Wendy now, too, since she is on Facebook! The ladies' cheeks are red from being warm, notice mine are not!!
Due to the inclement weather in the forecast (i.e. cold and rain) the church picnic was held inside at the school instead of at the area park. No worries! The food was still delicious and the company magnificent! Mom is shown here enjoying some of the tasty offerings from the grille, and my plate is sitting right in front of Tommy. He is eyeing it closely but did not mess with my food! There were yummy desserts to be purchased and the Hmong members of the congregation made their own version of picnic food. I had a very good egg roll, which reminded me of my friend, Mai-ly, who moved to WA. I want another one, please!
Kevin Buch received a lovely watch as he leaves his role as principal, a thank you from the congregation. Kevin has a hard time expressing himself without becoming quite emotional, even having to pre-record his messages to the graduates as they leave him for high school. This time the man next to him had to read his message as Kevin was too choked up to do so. Afterwards I gave him a big hug and he said to me, "I wish you lived closer!" That was my gift from him! We share something---both us losing children from our lives, which is why we are so connected, I guess. Kevin is not going far, only changing schools, not congregations!
Tommy, Linda, and Lynn are enjoying their meals, inside rather than outside. It was so cool that folks kept their jackets on even when in the gymnasium!
Not only did Kevin receive a thank you gift, but Evangelist Nau Lee recently graduated from the seminary and is officially a pastor. Or rather, a shepherd. The gift presented to him by the congregation is known as "The Shepherd's Prayer", as he is now the shepherd among the Hmong! At a recent meeting, the congregation decided to put in a Call for him to continue serving the members of First German. We pray the assignment committee opts to keep him at FG. His wife nicely invited all those in attendance to come to their home on Saturday for a party!
Kevin was also the choir director at First German and as a sort of tribute to him, Kari lead the choir in the "First Song of Isaiah" whose refrain goes "Surely it is God who saves me, I will trust in Him and not be afraid...." Lynn is wearing her purple and blue jacket, 3rd from left, and Alayna is two people down in a green top, front row. I could see Kevin looking down from the balcony, watching and listening as this larger than usual choir sang praise to God during Sunday worship. Kevin trained them well! Surely it IS God who saves us! 
