Family Matters

Mollie and Canyon's Christmas Program

Last week was Mollie's Christmas program at Mound City Elementary School.  I have to say I was completely surprised - and thrilled - that the song selection was over-the-top Christian.

My favorite song was "Happy Birthday Jesus."  I found the lyrics online and copied them below. 

Happy Birthday To You
happy Birthday To You
happy Birthday Dear Jesus
happy Birthday To You.

happy Birthday Jesus
i'm So Glad Its Christmas
all The Tinsel And Lights
and The Presents Are Nice
but The Real Gift Is You.

happy Birthday Jesus
i'm So Glad Its Christmas
all The Carols And Bells
make The Holiday Swell
and it's All About You
happy Birthday Jesus
jesus I Love You!

Canyon is in Mollie's class so he was in the young choir, too.  I just never could get a good shot of Canyon.  He was stuck behind someone and I never got a good shot of his entire face.  (Think I'll nickname him "Wilson" after the neighbor on Home Improvement.  We never ever saw his entire face either.  Yeah, I know, most of you have no idea what I'm talking about.  LOL...)

 

(Click image to enlarge.)

Quentin, Mollie and Ty spending time together

A couple of times this month Quentin and Mollie have ridden the school bus to my house and Ty's Grandma Sherri has brought him over to hang out. 

The first time they all came over we went to the school and played basketball.  I think the boys were a little surprised that I could play.  I thought Ty was going to pass out when I made a hook shot from the free throw line.  ;-D

The last time the kids came over we played hoops until the gym closed, then the kids walked to the library until it closed.  Then it was back to my house for pizza.

It was a couple of great evenings spent with the kids!

Preview of Thanksgiving pictures from the Fuhrmans

Here are a few pictures from the Fuhrman's on Thanksgiving Day.  (I have 215 pictures to go through... oh my!)

 

It was a great day at the Fuhrman's.  Thank you - Deanna and DeWayne - for hosting the days events!
 

Aden's kindergarten graduation

Aden graduated from kindergarten last May.  I was shooting video of the graduation so the photos are from before the ceremony and then afterwards.

Sy, Randen and Cooper getting ready for the ceremony to begin.

 
Karsten, Canyon, and Kaden playing before the ceremonies.

 
Jared and Leslie, the proud parents of the little graduate, Aden.

 
Leslie and Aden

 
Grandpa Randy, Aden and Grandma Robin

Don't you just love little people wearing caps and gowns!??  LOL...

Congratulations Aden!
 
 
 
 
 

Shelbie's graduation pictures

Shelbie graduated last May and I was able to go to the ceremony and the party afterwards.

Here are a few photos from that evening.

 
Shelbie walking into the auditorium with her classmates.

 
Shelbie receiving her diploma.

 
Humoring me and letting me take her picture.

 
Trenton and Courtney

 
Sy

 
Jessica and Grandma Robin

 
Friends and family back at Randell and Tim's for a party.

 
Robin, Courtney, Shelbie, Randy, Taylor, and Tim.

I know you are half way into your Freshman year, but wanted to share the pictures of your graduation.
Congratulations, Shelbie!

Bailey and Canyon's Preschool Graduation

On May 18, Bailey and Canyon graduated from preschool at Mound City Elementary.

 
Colt and Candace there to watch Canyon graduate.  That is Josh (in the white cap) behind Colt, sitting next to Sy and Taylor.

 
Sy, Taylor and Candace.

 
Cooper and Karsten watching the festivities.

 
Cooper, Karsten, Kristie, Colt, Candace, Josh and Taylor.

 
Cooper (2nd from left) and Bailey (3rd from left) getting ready to hand out carnations to their moms.

 
Canyon with Candace.

 
Leji with Bailey.

 
Love this little imps smile!

 
Bailey with her step-sister and her half-sister, Lainey, Clint and April.

 
Bailey with Grandpa Gary and Grandma Sheilah. 

 
The happy graduates - Canyon and Bailey.

Congratulations Kiddos... I hope you are having fun in first grade this year.

T-Ball Pictures

I was going to one of Mollie's games this summer and surprise surprise... the team she was playing included Aden, Randen and Cooper!  How cool is that?!!  And Cooper and Courtney were with them. 

I only got one picture of Courtney because she actually took my camera and took a lot of these pictures.  I did some videotaping of the game.

So most of these photos are courtesy of Courtney Raye!

 
Courtney
 

 
Bret giving Mollie some instructions.

 
Cooper trying NOT to have his picture taken.
 
 
Cooper and his adorable smile.

Warming up to the camera... just a little.

 
What a cutie pie!

 
Aden (left) and Canyon (right) warming up.

 
Mollie warming up.

 
Aden asking coach some questions.

 
Canyon

 
Canyon... looks like he's waiting for a ball to come his way.

 
Oh yeah, here it comes Aden.

 
Dog gone... I can't pick it up.

 
Getting the ball to first place.

 
Randen patiently waiting for someone to hit a ball to him.

 
Aden got another way... it pays to be in the pitcher position.

 
Aden throwing the ball to first.

Moo (Mollie) in the dugout with her team.
 

 
Mollie Moo

 
Good hit, Mollie.

 
RUN Mollie RUN

 
Coach Bret explaining what Mollie should do if she gets the ball.

 
Aden has been moved to third base.

 
Randen working his glove.

 
Looks like Canyon is whistling.  He must not be getting many balls on his side of the field.

 
Aden, patiently waiting.

 
Aden and Canyon having a good time in the outfield.

 
Randen

 
Randen

 
Mollie having a little laugh at something.

 
Randen warming up to bat.

 
Aden made it onto base. Woohoo!

Mutton Bustin' at the Linn County Fair

On August 5, four of the boys - Canyon, Cooper, Karsten, and Kasen - rode in the mutton bustin' competition.

(Canyon and Cooper are the sons of Colt and Candace Umphenour; Karsten and Kasen are the boys of Kristie and Paul McKee.)

Here are three of the boys patiently waiting for their chance to ride.

 

Here are photos from Canyon's ride.

Here are a few shots from Cooper's ride.

 

Here is Karsten giving it a try.

Last, but not least, Kasen climbs on for his ride.

 

The kids give it a good go, but after all is said and done I think it is safe to say this was:
Mutton - 4
Boys - 0

LOL... good job, boys!

Alex and Kolbee's Graduation Party

Here are some photos from the party for Alex and Kolbee held at Grandpa's farm after the graduation ceremony.

The first group of shots are a few posed photos with the graduates and their folks.

 
Paul and Kristie kissing their graduate, Kolbee.

 
Paul, Kolbe and Kristie

 
Debi, Kevin, Alex, Kolbee, Paul and Kristie

 
Not sure what Alex is laughing at, but I love this photo ofher.

 
Debi, Alex and Kevin.

This next group of shots are just some casual photos of folks standing around a visiting, the kids opening their gifts, and the general milling around of friends and family.  I hope you love these get togethers as much as I do.  Where else would you see Sheila Wimmer, Shane Kastler, and Heath Umphenour at the same place? ;-D 

 
Sheila Wimmer with Audrey.  Sheila taught Michele and she also had Alex.  That is quite a teaching career and I'm sure she had quite a few stories to share with Alex about her mom.

  
Paul, trying to hide from the camera as usual.

 
Pastor Shane and Kevin

 
Ann Jackson visiting with Grandma Virginia

 
Kolbee checking out his T-shirt blanket.  The squares are made from some of Kolbee's T-shirts.  Kristie told Kolbee that she made the blanket. The look on his face is him saying "Really? You did this?" LOL... right Kolbee, she whipped that out between your sporting events, her work and taking care of her dad. 

 
Alex is showing off her new purse.

 
Kolbee checking out his new laptop.

 
Gary, David, DeWayne, and Kevin visiting.

 
David, Missy, Trenton, and Edward Lee.  Looks like Missy is telling quite a story - the men are all quiet.

 
Kolbee and Alex sitting on the ottman (made by Jada for Alex) opening and reading their cards.

 
Trenton and Edward Lee... not sure which is the bigger story teller.  Probably Edward Lee, he's been at it longer.  ;-D

 
Jess, Sheilah, Julie and Jae

 
Great GREAT Aunt Deanna holding Molli Blou.  (Check out Jae in the background, that little lady is always trying to get some part of her body in a photo.  Here it's her head, but she doesn't care if it's a foot or arm. LOL...)

 
The kids playing on the big slide.

 
The kids playing in the yard.  Isn't it good to see Grandpa's yard full of kids?

 
Mollie is cracking me up.  She is decked out in her little cowgirl finery and she's wearing her scooter/skateboarding helmet.  Jace was showing her a few tricks.

 
Aunt Patty holding little Olive.

 
Tommy visiting with Kolbee... Good to see you again, Tommy!

 
Now this is a normal site.  One of the big guys picking on one of the little guys.  (Okay, don't think you can call Dalton little!)  I'm sure Adam is just finally glad he's one of the "big guys!" HEHEHE

 
Oh my, it looks like Malachi is about to get a facefull of football.  I think Kaden got a hand on it and deflected it.  In the red shirt is Chase, then Adam and Dalton.  Isn't it funny to see our vehicles parked on the highway!?

 
This is Jace trying to jump up and touch the rim.  Check out the little shaver... he's a ways away from the rim, but he can jump a lot higher than I imagined.

 
Here is Judah on the move.  Someone better look out.  He's got a determined look on his face and a squirt gun full of water!

 
Here is a photo of Julie feeding Breck.  (This photo was taken at the graduation ceremony.)

This last group of photos are group shots.  A couple were taken at the gym because I wasn't sure they would be at the party.

  
Another photo taken at the graduation ceremony.  This is Clint's family.  The pretting little girl in pink is his daughter Bailey and his wife, April, is holding their little girl, Lainey.

 
I also got a photo of Adam Hamilton and his girlfriend Ashley Casey with their son, Talan, after the graduation ceremony.

  
Ty and his pops, Trenton

 
Grandpa sitting for a photo with Heath and his kids, Christian (little guy in blue), Chase (red) and Courtney.

 
Grandpa with Deanna, DeWayne, Cassidy, Jada, Dalton, and David

 
This photo cracks me up.  These two guys are going to be Freshman next year.  Can you believe they are the SAME AGE!  Well almost, Brenton is 8 months older, but a FOOT taller.  How adorable!?

 
Brenton, Danea and Breanna

 
Five Generations: Edward, Edward Lee, Julie, Jess and Molli Blou
(In the photo, Edward is seated.  Standing L to R: Jess, Julie and Edward Lee holding Molli Blou) 
Papa Jason is making faces at Molli, that's why her legs are sticking out straight and she is starting to smile.  She has a full body reaction to Papa Jason.

 
Grandpa Edward with the Cooneys: Jace, Jess, Jason, Julie holding Molli Blou and Jae.

Wow, that was a lot of photos.  I hope you enjoyed them!

Alex and Kolbee's graduation ceremony from Pleasanton High School

It's hard to believe but these two youngin's have graduated from high school.  If you ask them, I'm sure they'd both add... "FINALLY!"

It was a great weekend, with family and friends gathering to celebrate this special occasion.  I'm not sure why or exactly when it started, but it seems we have all made an extra effort to make it to high school graduations.

Traveling quite a distance to attend the festivities included the entire Cooney family who traveled to the graduation from Fort Mill, South Carolina.  The Randall's traveled from Jacksonville, North Carolina.  (I think they get the award for traveling the farthest, but they flew in so does that count?  I should mention they flew in by way of Miami where they went to attend Jeremia's [Josh's brother] graduation - doctoral program in sports medicine, very cool.)  Adam and Morgan drove up from Dallas, Texas.  Debi's sister, Patty, drove in from Western Kansas and Heath and his kids drove down from Atchison. 

We also enjoyed the company of all the "local" family and friends that can be counted on to celebrate and cheer us on our major milestones.

Although I was hoping to arrive a little early, with the Cooney's visiting it just wasn't to be.  LOL... we were lucky to get to the high school before "Pomp and Circumstance" started to play.  Needless to say, we sat in the nose-bleed section.  Luckily, Bret and Jed's family were up there waiting for us. HEHEHE!

So enjoy a few photos of the graduation from a new perspective, just in case you've never sat quite so high at one of these events. 

 
A shot of the school board and administration.  Paul is a school board member and is the fourth person from the right.

 
Alex entered the gym first since she (and Griffin Bortzfield) were valedictorians.

 
Kodee's girlfriend, Hannah, also graduated.  This is Hannah walking in with Landon Baker.

 
Kolbee walking in with Kyle Walker.

  
This is Alex giving her valedictorian speech.

 
Alex hugging Paul after she receives her diploma.

 
Hannah shaking Paul's hand.

 
Paul handed Kolbee his diploma and here you see him giving Kolbee a hug.

  
Woohoo!  We're outta here.

 
Alex and Kolbee, both looking pretty darn happy.

 
LOL... two cool kids.

 
Proof... I'm not the only one that takes photos! (Audrey on the left and Kristie on the right.)

 
Kolbee with Paul and Kristie.  Do you think Kolbee's smile could be any bigger?  LOL...

I'll get more group photos and photos from the party posted in a separate posting.  It's time to go to bed so I can get to Sunday School in the morning.