My mom celebrated my birthday by coming to the National Botanic Garden with me. I loved observing and learning about beautiful plants and being with my mom.
Aren't these plants all so unique and beautiful! I love God's artistry!
Victoria had a fun date to a Nationals game! She went with a buff older guy and had great seats right behind the dugout, but this is not him! Haha! Via facebook, Danny and I found out that Cecil was sitting right behind the opposing dugout! We texted her and told her he was there, so she went to say hello and they grabbed a picture. He came over and met her date too. I don't know exactly how the introductions went, but it made Danny and I glad to know that the date now knows one of her Dad's best friends is watching him.
About V's dates: She has a goal to go on a lot. Though she is having a fun time dating, her intention is to learn what she wants and needs in a partner. Wise, determined girl!
I love helping out with meals for teachers.
It's Superman! Look how strong Christian is. He has been working out a lot this year and it shows!
I had fun meeting Jenn for lunch in Short Pump. We also toured some townhomes near V's salon and had fun picking up decorating tips.
Jenn got comfy cozy. Love her!
So pretty, right?!
Grant and Dawson went to the 8th grade formal! Grabbed a cool pic with Micah in the parking lot too. Another milestone! Time is flying by and it is so fun to watch these kids grow up!
Katherine and Danny went to Katherine's last Yowell dance!
We had more missionary friends come visit for the Richmond Temple dedication! Marcor and Trey (Elder Crockett and Elder Peterson) came to visit. They were here a couple years ago when V's friend Catherine was meeting with missionaries for discussions. It was so fun to catch up and reminisce, but I forgot to get a pic with the family. It was a night that V working in Richmond but they were in Richmond later in the week so she invited them to meet up with her and her friend, Alex. She thought that Trey and Alex might be really cute together. Probably extremely unlikely as they live super far away. ( To be super clear- platonic relationship with Elder Crockett. notice the clear lean away from V, haha,. I am writing this several months later and he is now married to a really beautiful cool girl that he was talking to at the time, Grace!)
Katherine participated in Girls on the Run again this year!
Go team Yowell!
I ran it with her. Didn't train and should have! I was afraid of holding her back and told her to go ahead. That was a good idea, because I was extremely slow. Nevertheless, I was proud of us!
Katherine and Lily rocked it though!Proud of them!
Proud of my friend, Jen, in the background too!
So much baseball! Love watching my favorite pitcher!
Color wars- Mrs. Hixson's class wore blue!
Christian and Danny hugging at the Night of Excellence Awards made me tear up.
Christian got the Academic Excellence Award for Theater!
Look at all of these track friends who got awards!
We had a fun Mother's Day Party hosted by the Primary girls.
They did our hair.
I was glad to read a quote from Grant in his yearbook. "Be kind." So funny juxtaposed with his cool guy pose.
Senior picnic- the boys!
Recreating a picture in front of school doors from kindergarten! What growth!
Girls night documented!
V took Grant to the rodeo.
While they were there, Camila called with exciting news! She and Chandler got engaged!
What an exciting proposal! We are really happy for them!
Class of 2023
G-man warming up!
Look out for the lefty!
These cute friends came to cheer for G.
Cute boys.
Cool creation.
Grant and Dawson after 8th grade awards.
G and Kaylee after the awards.
Christian's graduation got its own separate post!
I wanted to add a few pictures that I found via bluedevilstheater Insta and Tiktok of Christian and several of his fellow Senior theater friends.
Love these talented kids and can't wait to hear about what they do next!
Last elementary school field day for Kate!
I heard it was fun!
G and Dawson had fun going to a dance in Oakton.
Katherine advanced from 5th grade! It was a bittersweet transition for our family! It will be weird to not have an elementary schooler after 15 years! We are so thankful for the elementary school teachers and staff members who have positively impacted our children. Truly, your impact "cannot be erased."
Katherine got so many awards!
She got a Girls on the Run award, the gold medal for PE awards (Only 6 students total achieved the highest level and Kate was 1 of only 2 girls to get it! Way to work hard on the pacer, sit and reach, situps, and push-ups!), an art award for being artist of the month, and a Math 24 award!
Mrs. Hixson also publicly commended Katherine on her role in petitioning for, planning, and helping to execute the Yowell Elementary School Recycling Program! Thank you, Mrs. Murdock, for reigniting her passion for helping the environment, coaching her through gathering signatures, and encouraging her to set up a meeting to talk to the principal, Mrs. Fiscus, about her idea. This was a really special endeavor for her and she learned a lot about her ability to advocate for and exact change. She had fun collecting recycling with several other students every Friday afternoon.
V and C came to support!
Katherine and Reid Green, her friend since kindergarten
Kate and Kenji, another friend who she likes to compete and work with
Katherine and Mrs. Hixson her awesome teacher
Kate with Summer and Hadley
Johnathan, Kate, and Summer in the 5th grade parade
G and Dawson together on the ball field for little league! Love them!
Kate's last ever day of Elementary School! Thanks, Yowell! She is our only kid to stay at the same school from K-5. Pretty cool!
Katherine and Danny had fun at a Nats game with Jojo and her stepdad!
V and I rooted for the chilipeppers that night!
Matt Kinne is playing for the Tri-City Chili Peppers this summer and we loved going to his game! What a fun atmosphere!
Jenn got a cool box for Matt's fans! It was fun to catch up with the Kinnes, the Varners, Cally, Johny- Ray, and Sam.
Cute Farmville friends!
Dropping G off to mow lawns with his friend,
They are off to mow and weedwack on their first week of summer! I am proud of their industry and determination. I don't know how many pictures I have of their efforts, but Grant made business cards and found a few clients. Mrs. Walker became a regular and pays monthly. We appreciate her business and she appreciates a significant savings from what she had been paying.
Katherine and I went to a little fair with the Jarvises.
It was a fun afternoon and a good introduction to summer.
The family was split into several directions, but V and I got to go to Andi and Clarabel's wedding reception. We are so happy for them! Andy was one of YM when we moved in and is a great guy and Clarabel attended YW with our ward for a while when I was YW president. She is darling too. They are so sweet together. Not pictured are a few of V's friends who went to YSA with Andy in Charlottesville. It was nice to meet them too. V went with them to the little fair pictured above.
Little traditions are fun to keep- K and I hit tropical smoothie for Flip Flop Day.
Then, we went to Lenn Park for a walk. We appreciated nature there.
Honeysuckle.
Sunshine
Cool plants
and flowers.
If I remember correctly, we picked some mulberries too.
That night we went to watch a new team in town, the Culpeper Cavaliers! They play at the high school, so we definitely felt at home! It was really fun and K got a lollipop for retrieving a foul ball.
Also pictured, a slew of kids playing on an adjacent field at the ball park during one of Grant's games. I am glad that K has fun there and gets in on the action.
Speaking of action.... it was an action packed month, wow!!!!
