September 2018

Shelly started high school. She’s attending the same school that both Lily and I attended. It was an exciting day and she had a great First Day of School; complete with our back to school tea party.

Shelly and her friend attended their first home football game as freshmen.

We sold the Nissan Pathfinder. We just had too many cars in the driveway and it made sense to sell this one.

Lily surprised us with a visit! It was so nice to see her and it was good for her, as well.

John and I went to Las Vegas for 5 days. It was a fun trip. We took a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon and landed inside for a champagne lunch. Such a cool experience.

August 2018

In August, Lily worked professionally for a wedding in the Outer Banks. This was her first paid photography job.

Lily and Shelly went back to their younger days and created Build A Bear animals for one another.

Lily took more photos and Shelly and Kenzie tagged along as her models on one of her adventures.

We spent quality time as a family before Lily headed off to college.

On the 16th, we packed Lily’s items and headed out in the early morning for our trip to Blacksburg. Once at Tech, we unloaded her things and she set up her room. Tears were shed on the 17th as we said our goodbyes to Lily and travelled back to VB.

Lily had her first day of classes and she sent photos with her roommate of them heading off to class. I sent them a cookie cake to celebrate the day.

Shelly and her friends attended the Falcon Fest orientation at her high school. Shelly was preparing for her big adventure to high school.

Update Continued...

At the end of our Spring Break, we headed out to Blacksburg for the Hokie Focus event for accepted students. It was chilly and rainy but we still had a great time. Lily fell in love with it all over again. She was also lucky enough to have her soon to be roommate there for the experience.

Our friends' daughter who is currently a student at Tech. She took us on a tour of her dorm room.

Maddie and Lily --- roomies to be

April ushered in some beautiful evenings at the bay.

Dinner at Taste 

Lily attend the pre-dance festivities for her friends who were headed to Ring Dance.

Shelly and I took Fynley on a leisurely walk at the beach.

Lily's good friend in North Carolina, Claudia, asked her to go to prom with her. So, we allowed Lily to pack up her things and drive alone to NC. It was a stressful weekend for me, but a fun one for her!!!

The next big event was Lily's 18th birthday!!! She celebrated at a hibachi grill with friends and then came back to the house for cheesecake, cookie cake, and ice cream.

The next day was Mother's Day and we took John's mom out for breakfast and they gave me sweet gifts, including planting flowers in the planter Kristina gave me for my birthday.

John's sister graduated from Physician Assistant school and we attended her coat ceremony.

As the Senior year was coming to a close, the graduates went to the elementary schools for a Senior Walk. Lily went with several others to Linkhorn Elementary for her walk.

Lily attended her prom at the Hilton with a big group of friends.

Shelly attended an 8th grade celebration that was held on the Spirit of Norfolk. They had a great time on the boat.

Shelly was overjoyed for her last day of middle school! She officially became a high school student on the 15th of June!!!

Still more to come...