Josh's Graduation

The last few years have been some busy ones! We have had a great time, but they also have been stressful. Josh started his Master's program through Gonzaga University a few years ago. We needed him to work while going to school so he worked full time and did his schooling online full time. I didn't see him very much throughout the week and even on weekends he still had to study or write papers. He took a break from the schooling when we had Stella do that he could help and then started back into it a few months later. He finally graduated with his Masters in communication and leadership in May and I am so proud of him. He got fantastic grades and his professors really liked him. He is smart and will be able to be a better leader because of his schooling. We went up to his graduation that was in Spokane. All of Josh's family came so we made it into our summer reunion.

We started our trip in Idaho Falls where we met up with Barb and Syd and got some lunch before heading on the road again. We went to a place called the Snakebite. It was really yummy. It was Great Grandpa Baird's birthday that day so we took a picture of the kids holding up a sign. 

We drive all afternoon and stopped for the night in Missoula, Montana and stayed with Kent and Holly for the night. Holly made an awesome dinner and we enjoyed talking with them and Drake loved playing with their kids.

The girls love Stella and she loves the big girls!

The next morning we got up and drove to Coeur D'Alene, Idaho where we stayed on Lake Coeur D'Alene. It was absolutely beautiful!

My cute nephew Ian.

All of the kids were so happy to see each other and play.

Grandpa Syd was able to sleep through all of it:)

The kids put on a play.

Stella loved hanging out with Uncle Ted and Uncle Jonathan.

Grandpa slept some more:)

Stella loves her Grandpa Syd!

All of the cousins with their Uncle Brad

Grandpa and Stella playing on the iPads!

Lake Coeur d'Alene is absolutely beautiful. I would love to own a house one day right on this lake!

The kids loved swimming!

We all went to Josh's graduation that was about 40 minutes away in Spokane. 

The kids along with myself were so proud of this accomlishment. We are proud of Josh and glad that schooling is over so we have him home more often!

Josh with one of his professors. I think she looks like she is 12 years old!

I cried when Josh walked into the ceremony....

....and when he received his diploma.

He is a good man and a hard worker. I love you so much Joshy!!

That night Ted treated us girls to go see Wicked! It was the nicest thing he could have ever done. We tried to pay him, but he wouldn't let us! I just love Ted!

Emmy got to come with the big girls!

This was so much fun and I am so glad we got to go together. It was such a fun night!

The kids were exhausted by the middle of the day from playing so hard!

We were up there on Mother's Day so the best I could do was FaceTime my mom. Thank goodness for FaceTime so I could see that pretty face! I love my mom and I am grateful everyday for her!! 

We drove into town and the kids both crashes on the way in.

But they were happy when they woke up because there was the coolest park for them to play at!

Drake was patiently waiting for his turn on one of the toys.

Then we went on a hike that went long the lake. It was an easy hike but it lasted longer than we thought. The kids did do really well though!

The next day was my birthday. All of the group except us and Barb and Syd went home. I was greeted by Ted with this creature he had shaved onto his face!! Haaaa it cracked me up! He is a funny guy and makes me laugh constantly when I am around him.

Drake loved helping daddy drive from one condo to the other.

Josh is such a dork and will do anything for a laugh!

We went into town and are lunch at a yummy pizza place. Then we looked around all of the shops.

That night Barb and Syd took the kids back and Josh and I went to dinner and a movie. I actually got sick in the movie and threw up so we had to leave early and then we just went and got pancakes. Not my idea of a great birthday dinner but for that time it is what sounded and tasted the best!

The drive home was great! The kids did wonderful. We stopped in Poky on the way home and got them all bathed and then drove to Logan. They crashed and Josh and I enjoyed the nice quiet ride. It was a great trip and so fun to be with Josh's family and let the cousins all play together. We have good support from our family members that they would come all of that way for Josh's graduation. We are blessed and I feel lucky and blessed to be married into such a great family!