Jason Graduated!

June 10, Jason graduated from Stone Bridge High School! 

He turned 18 just 8 days prior which means my family has started a new phase of life: all six kids are officially adults. I have to admit it's a funny feeling to be part of an older generation. I mean, with three kids of my own, I've been there for a while, but to have my baby brother be "all grown up" is just a little hard to take in.

Anyway... we are so proud of you, Jason!

Jude wanted to try out his hat and kept calling him a wizard. It was cute.

Family picture in Mom's front yard--just missing Chad and Dad.

Jason with Mom and Glenn and four of his five siblings.

Laura, me, Jason, Stephen, and Amy.

Jason with my little family (George had to be in Charlottesville for Church that day and for a function for the hospital).

The boys were good sports, although in the middle of the shoot they melted down into this:

Ah, memories. I remember posing for pictures at this age. It was horrible.

Jason and Mom.

My three boys with Aunt Amy. Aunt Amy is definitely a favorite--she's always bringing them treats or doing fun things with them.

Jason and Grandma Brewer.

I just liked this picture because it captures the boys' personalities so well. Jude's usually goofing off, Cole's usually smiling at something, and Lance is usually in the thick of things. Love my boys!

I like this picture of Grandma with three of her great-grandbabies. We were so lucky we got to spend time with her while she was visiting.

Me and my baby brother.

So glad my boys get to know my grandma.

Jason with Vera.

His graduation was at 7 p.m! Have you ever been to a High School graduation? They take about 3 hours from start to finish. I left Jude at home with Tyler and Mason and took Cole and Lance. Lance wasn't too thrilled to be there (let's be honest, graduation ceremonies are a little tedious after they call your graduate's name), but kept himself entertained with Aunt Amy's iPod touch. See? Aunt Amy is so fun.

One of the perks of having a last name like "Allred" is that you're always in the front of the line. It wasn't hard to spot Jason during the processional.

Jason and the choir singing "Bridge over Troubled Waters".

Lining up to get his diploma.

...walking across the stage...

...Diploma! Thanks, Dr. Person.

This is Joe King, our neighbor of about 13 years. He and Jason have been friends since they moved in.

Woo Hoo!

It's official!

The boys were so good!

Jason, we are so proud of you! I know how hard you've worked to get to this important point in your life. Now it's on to BYU in the fall--the last of all 6 of us to go. I know you'll love it!

I love you, Jason! Congratulations!

Family time in Ashburn

The weekend of June 10th we spent up in Ashburn. Jason was graduating from High School AND my grandma was in town, so we came up to stay for a few days.

These little boys LOVE their Grandmom. :)

Lance had been asking and asking to go to the "pool we used to walk to when I was little", so we stopped by for an hour or so with Uncle Jason and Uncle Stephen. I can't believe Lance remembers being 2 or 3 and walking to this pool from my mom's old house.

Jude loved the water and would venture out pretty far. It was funny to watch because he'd start walking toward the deeper end and then start calling for help when it got too high--all the while he was still walking toward the deep water. Funny kid. He never did learn his lesson, either, and had to be fished out of the water again and again.

It was Cole's nap time, so while he had his suit on, he slept the whole time in the shade of the stroller.

Lance can't get enough of the water. In fact, as soon as we got there, he jumped right in and went off on his own to explore all the corners of the pool.

Jude with Uncle Stephen and Uncle Jason.

He's pretending to be an alligator.

Taking a break in the sun.

Happy baby!

One evening we went to dinner at Red Robin with the Glass family and all the kids then came home and sat outside while the kids played inside.

It was really nice to just relax and enjoy the good company.

Cousins are the best! Mason is getting so big now--just shy of Jude. While he and Jude play really well together, Mason thought Cole was pretty neat, too.

What a funny kid!

One night before dinner, we went to the park with Uncle Tyler and Mason.

Love those boys holding hands. I remember having the "buddy system" with our cousins when we were little.

And of course, we got to spend time with Grandma. George was in town for just a day or so (he had to start his orientation the coming week for his residency program), but he still managed to get spanked by Grandma at Cribbage.

"Fifteen two, fifteen four and eight makes twelve."

It's okay, I sought revenge and almost skunked Grandma another night. :) I love playing this game with Grandma and Grandpa.

Now that Lance can read, he's quite the whiz finding things to watch or play on the internet--a blessing and a curse. I find myself constantly looking over his shoulder to make sure he hasn't accidentally stumbled upon any material that isn't appropriate.

Jude loves to watch Lance play this little Pac Man game. Good entertainment for the boring afternoon hours when baby brothers are sleeping. :)

Lance's last day of Kindergarten!

June 10th was Lance's last day of Kindergarten!

He rode the bus to school where I met him before the class started with his gift to his teacher Mrs. Thiede.

I bought several candy bars and Lance and I sat down and figured out a cute way to use them in a "Thank You" note.

It turned out really neat! Lance was very excited to give it to her. She's been a great teacher that has helped Lance enjoy school and learn well above his grade level. He is reading very well and is exceptional with numbers--already learning how to multiply! I don't think I got to that until I was in second grade.

When I asked Lance if he was happy it was his last day of school, he got teary-eyed and said "No! That means I don't get to see my teacher. I'm going to miss her so much." 

Thank you, Mrs. Thiede, for being such a good teacher that Lance is sorry to see school end for the summer. That alone speaks volumes.

Lance with Mr. White. He has been a wonderful bus driver.

I can't believe Lance is going into the 1st grade in the fall! He is such a grown-up guy with his own awesome ideas about how everything should be. I have to keep reminding myself that he's growing up and can do so many new things. I love you, Lance! 

And now, on to summer! I am so excited to have all the boys home every day! I've hated full-day Kindergarten, so I'm happy to have some quality Lance time for the next few months. Summer is the best! Or, as Phineas and Ferb say:

Summer, every single moment is worth it's weight in gold
Summer, it's like the world's best story and it's waiting to be told
It's ice cream cones and cherry soda dripping down your chin
It's summer, man, where do we begin?

Birthdays

The same weekend we went rock climbing with the Baileys, we also celebrated Glenn and Stephen's Birthdays!

Glenn's Birthday was on June 1st and Stephen's was May 18th. A little late, but he wanted to wait until everyone could make it.

Gosh, do you think we have enough cameras? There is no question where I got my picture-taking OCD. Oh, and no feet on the table, Jude!

"Happy Birthday to you! And you!"

Stephen's cake was his pick, made by Laura and Tyler--Gooey Butterfinger Cake. Glenn's cake was a special concoction made by Mom at Glenn's request. He wanted a cake that was as close to the cake he was served in school as possible. According to him, Mom came very close. 

Happy Birthday, guys!