More Moments and Memories for the "Delightascope"!

Moments after the tassel turning and the recessional, cake was being served and punch was being poured. Friends and family were congratulating and smiles were being spread. It was a time of celebration and relief that we had made it through both the homeschooling and the ceremony commemorating it.  Below are many pictures capturing the moments shared there.



Close friends.

Also, close, but older. :)

Perhaps a moment of revelation that it was over!?

Took about 6 shots to get this where one of them didn't have closed eyes or laughter getting in the way!

A moment with our graduate.

A VERY special person in our grarduate's life!

For over a decade, we have intermittently attended a church camp in Oregon during July. We don't always get to go, but try to when able. We started going while living in ID at the behest of a church friend there. She had grown up attending there and was now going with her family. This is her dad. We always camp next to him and have enjoyed many times being welcomed into their/his family. I like to say we are his adopted family :) He has watched the girls grow up and mentored and loved them like a grandfather figure. We don't get to see him very often, sometimes only once a year or every two. He is affectionately known as Papa Jim to all who love him (there are many). Unbeknownst to us, his grandson, also 18, graduated on Friday evening. The Graduate had sent him an announcement not even considering he would be able to attend. On a whim, he with his grandson, daughter and wife, drove over to surprise us and that they did! As I walked down the aisle after the recessional, I stopped short upon seeing him standing there. This dear man, whom I recognized did not seem to fit in this setting. What a wonderful surprise! and we are so thankful he loved us enough to make this trip for this event. Our graduate felt really blessed and loved to have him care enough to come.   Unfortunately, due to an accident and a long wait on the ferry, they missed our presentation.

A graduate's mom and more well wishers.

This dear lady has had a huge impact on our little girl. Not everyone made the cut in her speech, but she did!

Four of our girls ventured over for pictures near the barn. I wish everyone had been in the good light.  The Graduate had too much sun in her face to make these pictures turn out their best! 

Papa Jim's grandson, also a recent graduate.

A mom and daughter moment.

The milling and visiting crowd.

Lovely girls and sisters!

I REALLY wish this one had come out better! Hair in face took away from the moment!

Sharing a moment, a smile, a laugh.

The Graduate with her aunt. So glad she came and weathered our awful NW summer.

Three generations come together. Any family resemblance?

TALL Farmer Girl, trying to be short with SHORT friend. So cute!

Sharing a moment stealing cake bits out of van. Caught in the act!

The reception was busy and hectic, trying to run around visiting everyone, taking pictures and making sure everything was going smoothly. It was difficult to really enjoy it all. Kind of felt like a wedding. But it went well and cake and punch was enjoyed by all. Clean up went extremely smoothly and we even impressed the coordinator with our care and concern over the building. Visitors began leaving. Sharing time, which was delayed until after the reception, didn't really happen (this is where family and friends share a memory or thought with the graduates and it often takes HOURS to finish up). We didn't want the ceremony to last forever where guests could not get up or would get hungry or thirsty so we took a break. However, no one really came back together to talk.
After clean up, everyone loaded up to head to the party. Pictures soon to follow.
Thanks for your patience. I know I have not been good about getting posts posted. It's been a hectic summer and I thank you for bearing with me. Like the DC trip, this is the event that never ends......it just goes on and on my friends........

Love, Ellie~