Week #23: Class of 2015

This Week...

...we went to Aubrie Hull's graduation party. Pasco High 2015! It was pure awesomeness. We are glad that we have been able to get to know the Hull family. They are so fun to hang out with and laugh with. Aubrie is such a fun girl. We loved yelling at her across the park when we were taking a walk and she was headed in to guitar lessons. We loved giving her a hard time about her ripped jeans...and giving her mom the idea to rip them even more so they could be thrown away. She is on the road to success. I'm glad that we are part of her life.

...my nephew Austin graduated. We attended a BBQ at the park in his honor. Go Hanford Falcons! This is the second grandson on my side to graduate. I can't believe my nephews are getting old enough for this. Austin is such a great young man. He's sweet and funny. I can't wait to hear where he goes on his mission. I know that great things are in store for him.

...we hosted Jason's buddies for the day. These guys haven't been together in years. They were in for some much needed bro time. 
First, we called in professional Cabbage Salsa maker, Shelly Olson. You gotta start right. You gotta start with what's most important. The Cabbage Salsa! 

Then it began. I've never heard so much laughing in all my life. I didn't follow everything or understand everything, but they did.

Talking around the table, enjoying the salsa and catching up.

Out on the court like old times.

The Fab Five-Joe Evans, John Hamilton, Jason, Raleigh Hayter, Clint Bonneck

Prepping the meat for dinner. Yum!

John took everyone on a tour of his TekWorks store and then brought his tools to fix Clint's cracked phone screen.

After dinner, Ben and Connie Bues and Nathan and Natalie Howard came to visit with the guys. (Joe, Emily and John Hamilton, Raleigh, Clint, Jason, Ben and Connie, Natalie and Nathan (in front).

...nothing like a peanut inside your glove when you're going to work. My dad likes to play pranks. Beware if you ever leave your shoes or gloves unattended at his house.

...Paul and Emma had their piano recital. It was held in the Richland library again. Jason was able to come even though he was on duty. Only Paul and Emma were at the end. Just as Emma got up to play, he got called away on a serious call. Bummer! Paul knew his pieces really well and sounded so good for only having started to play two months ago. Indian Dance forever man! Emma was part of the finale and she played so well. Her pices were the kind that make you stop and listen. And her skill is the kind the brings goose bumps to your arms. I love that she plays the piano.

Lainey and Allie sat together and shared Lainey's markers and coloring book.  Aunt Julie Marie and I were both thankful.

Paul was going through the notes before his turn.

Paul and Emma with Sister Hall-we have such a treasure in our teacher. She's amazing!

Uncle Kent, Aunt Cherice, and Aunt Shelly

Grandma and Grandpa Zirker

Grandma and Grandpa with the performers-Jenna and Ethan go to Sister Hall for lessons too.

...I love when the summer flowers bloom. I love them even more when they bloom in my own yard. Lilies, Hydrangeas, and Dahlias-my faves!

...Ethan, Jenna, and Allie spent the weekend with us. Their parents went on an anniversary get away. We took a trip down to Chiawana Park because we needed to get out. But it was so hot that we didn't stay long. We needed to get back in. These kids were super silly when it was time to go to bed. They were playing and laughing so much. it was fun to listen to them as I put the laundry away.

...we had We Ice with the Hull's. They invited us out to swim and then we had to end with a treat. Jason was at work so we sent him a picture.

Aubrie was working! Go We Ice! She's pictured with the owners, Sarah Evans and Crystal Worcott.

...Kuniko Votow teaches the Cub Scouts what to do in case of a fire. Stop, drop, and roll!

...I went with Emma's class on a field study to Chiawana Park. I helped walk them up and down the path to collect plant specimens.

We found a lot of these crawdad claws along the path. I picked some up to show the kids at home.

The class with their teacher Mrs. Plewman

...Uncle Kelvin, Aunt Shawnee and Tuffy came by for a quick visit. Love those sunglasses!

Week #22: A Preschool Graduation

This Week...

...Lainey graduated from preschool. We love Miss Amy so much. The past two years with Lainey in her preschool class have been awesome! The most trouble Lainey ever caused was being way too comfortable in Amy's home as a friend instead of a student. Haha! Miss Amy would often let Lainey and several other students stay after on Wednesdays to play and have lunch (which Lainey and I packed beforehand). We've been spoiled by the way Miss Amy creates fun, themed weeks with engaging activities and projects. And also by the way she interacts with them. She definitely knows how to relate and talk to them at their level.

Lainey sat by her cousin Allie and sang along with much gusto and enthusiasm.

...we made a trip to Mattawa and got to see the brand new little puppies. Cowboy had eight puppies. They're such a mix of so many different kinds of dogs-Chihuahua, Terrier, Labrador, Poodle, and probably more.

We took a stroll in the garden. I always love taking pictures out there. It's always been a wonderful place for me. I'm so grateful we had a garden growing up-vegetable and flower garden alike.

This picture makes me laugh. It's one of those where I'd love to have others write the caption. Doesn't Jason look like he's saying, "Mom, this is how it needs to be. You know I'm right." Notice the leaf right in my mom's line of sight. She could be thinking, "Should I clip this thing before or after Jason gets done talking?"

My mom pointed out this Clematis vine that has completely taken over the tree across from it. The minute I saw this, I knew there was an analogy to be found. 

Take a look at where the Clematis is planted and how far away the tree is. The Clematis is a climbing plant. It sends out feelers, reaching and stretching, intertwining with anything in it's path. It has a beautiful blossom, but it creates a tangle of a leaf-y/vine-y mess.

Look what the vine has done to the branches of the tree. It has taken hold of the tree branches, as they grew too close to the trellis where the Clematis was growing. The Clematis has twisted it's way around the tree branches, wrapping the branches in it's powerful grip. "How is this done?" you ask.  Or rather, "How is this to be undone?" Not without a lot of cutting  and trimming is the powerful presence of the Clematis to be reduced and eradicated from the branches of the tree.

Analogy time!
We are often like the unsuspecting tree branch that grows too close to the cunning Clematis vine. We know the dangers of getting too close to sin or straying too far from the straight and narrow path, but we do it anyway. At first, the vine of the adversary just slithers over our branches, making contact and searching for the perfect place to get a good hold. At this point, trimming back the vine and making course corrections is easy for it has yet to get a strong hold in us. But if we continue on such a path, the vine only gains strength and a better hold in our hearts. Before long the branches of our testimony, once straight, are twisted and bent to the will of the vine of the adversary. Where freedom of agency and righteousness were once enjoyed, enslavement now commands.

...we went out to the park for some Sunday evening fun with the kids. Jason tried a game of 500 with the kids. It went well for the most part and they had fun. That is until someone didn't get the ball that really wanted it. 

...there's nothing like fresh strawberries and beautiful flowers blooming in your own front yard. 

...the puppies came to our house for a visit. Not my favorite, but necessary. Cowboy, the mama puppy was having a hard time keeping up with the demand for milk with eight new puppies. My sisters took her to the Vet and found some fortified food to help her out.

...Jason made his yearly law enforcement presentation to Paul and Ben and Claire's classrooms. We did them both together and had the kids meet outside on the lawn. It's always so fun to see the kids' excitement and hear how Jason challenges them to be honest and do what is right.