Withgratefulhearts: Pomp and Circumstance, I Do's, and Ballerinas

In the past few months we've had two out-of-state bridal showers, two out-of-state college graduations, and two out-of-state weddings. The thought of updating here was, indeed, overwhelming. So, I decided to update quickly with mostly photos and not so much shooting-the-breeze, and then create a separate post devoted solely to wedding photos.

We got back to doing some skiing this past February and really don't have many photos to speak of because who takes pictures when they are skiing, right? But here's a real keeper of Gracie and Kelli...

We quit skiing for the most part when all the kiddos came along, but Lord willing, we'd like to get back to it again. I don't think the kids would disagree!

Mitchell on the slopes at Blue Knob (which I can see from my kitchen window!).

During the month of March, my mother and I flew to Minnesota for Emily's bridal shower. It was a beautiful shower and from what I gathered, it was an unusually warm March as well, so it seemed like perfect bridal shower weather.

Mom and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Emily's grandmother's house. She was a very sweet hostess.

Then, of course, with the upcoming weddings, there was bachelor party at our house. Here's a photo of Mitchell and all of his best buddies since childhood. Isn't it funny how much love you have for the kids that your kids grow up with?

Back row: Quinten Fletcher, Stephen Stern, Dan Stern, Mitchell, Ian Stiles

Front row: Christian, Isaac Stern, and Jared Stern

I guess chronologically, now is when I throw in a few Easter photos of the girls.

The first week in May we all drove down to Georgia for two bridal showers for Kelli, one given by her family and one given by her church, both lovely showers.

Mom, Faith, and I enjoyed our stay at our dear friend Stephanie's house and Faith enjoyed getting to sleep with Momma in the big, high bed :)

The second week in May gave us our first college graduate. Graduating Magna cum Laude with a BBA in Music Business from Belmont University. Mitchell was one of only 8 music business grads in a class of nearly 300 that has already gained a job in the music industry in Nashville.

So we loaded up the car again...

and headed for Belmont Univerisity.

Mitchell is in what looks to be the third row, third person in from the center aisle.

Below, walking to the stage to get his degree.

Gracie 12, Christian 16, Faith 8, Mitchell 23, Matthew 19

Emily's mom, Jana, and Faith. I love this photo!

Matthew and Christian can make anything fun, and it's probably best if I don't explain how much fun they had singing the very serious Belmont hymn and Alma matter.

It was Belmont graduation day for not only out first son, but also for our first daughter-in-law, Emily, who graduated with a Bachelor's in Corporate Communications.

These are a few of my favorite things...

The weekend included helping Mitchell and Emily move their things off-campus and into what would become their first home in Nashville after their wedding in just a few weeks.

And a few fun photos from an evening out together with Emily's family in Nashville to celebrate graduation...

These 3 getting their swag on...

Just passing through VA.....as usual...we travel the same stretch of road almost the entire way south whether heading to Nashville or Georgia. Seems like we've been on it constantly this year.

One week post-Belmont graduation found us in Maryland for Matthew's graduation from Allegany College. Matthew graduated cum Laude Phi Theta Kappa with an Associate of Science in Technical Studies (ie. lots of computer :)

Three of my most favorite gals...

Matthew is in the front row, far side, looks like the fifth person in from the outer edge.

And some fun family photos from afterwards...

It was such a gorgeous day! Both days were. Mitchell and Matthew, we love you very much!

Only a few days later, it was time to haul out the heavy equipment.

Because we were headed to Minnesota for this...

So we headed across the country

and as you can see

we spent entirely too much time trapped in this van

and we took a thousand selfies

and we determined that when after the trip we were looking at photos, we would say, "Look, here we are in the van!" and "Oh, here we are in the van!" and "Look, here's a shot of us in the van!"

But, this....

was gorgeous, and I will save all the rest of the wedding photos for my next post.

The day after Mitchell's wedding in Emily's home state of Minnesota, we headed west towards the Black Hills of South Dakota.

We stopped in DeSmet at the Ingalls homestead.

Then we headed for the Badlands of South Dakota where Mitch claimed we were heading in order to "drop Kelli off" !

Oh, look. Here she is now...

My dancer in the Badlands.

Then, it was on to Mount Rushmore.

Of course, Jennie, being the crafty gal that she is, crafted us all new Tees for the occasion.

Mitch and all the teens climbed the rocks at the foot of the monument, and I was glad I was in the little museum and did not see them climbing! They are in the lower center of the following photo.

My dancer at Mount Rushmore...

Then we drove the Needles Highway. I must say it was a bit scary in certain places.

Last stop out west was The Corn Palace, decorated entirely in corn!

We had to leave Matthew in the Sioux Falls airport to fly back to Georgia.

It was a lonngggg drive home.

We made it home just in time for dance recital week. Gracie felt the need to decorate my car with left over wedding paints. The historic Mischler Theatre in the background, the site of recital.

Faith's tap number, "Seventy-six Trombones." Faith is 5th from the left.

Faith's Ballet, "My Favorite Things."

Gracie's tap..."Newsies"

Gracie had several ballet numbers. Gracie front, center.

Gracie's jazz.

This one loved her pre-recital photo shoot!

This one, I was lucky to get just a few, quick shots!

Faith back row, center.

Gracie on side, she helps teach Faith's class. Faith is 5th from right.

Gracie and her friend Kiki ready for the stage at the community Spring event. I thought this photo was so beautiful.

Gracie is directly in the front center of all these photos.

Here's Gracie in the 4th of July parade.

Here in The Cove we have a two and a half hour 4th of July parade that consists largely of tractors :)

Watching the remainder of the parade with Madison and Faith after she's done.

Next order of major life events was Gracie's 13th Birthday. She wanted to have a formal party and it turned out really beautiful. We decorated the church with little white lights and tons of balloons. It was sweetly refreshing to see all the girls show up in their fancy party dresses.

Mitch, Gracie, Me (re-cycling my first mother-of-the groom dress), and Gracie's friend, Lydia.

Gracie, Lydia, Haley, Miss Lucrecia (the girls' ballet teacher), Allison, Kellee, Brooke, Maggie, Hannah, Madison, Jamie, Grace, Taylor, Tori, and Gretchen.

I couldn't have pulled off such a party without the help of this guy. Thanks, Christian!

Such a lovely party, my sweet Gracie!!

Here's a photo of Zach drumming for Gracie at church.

Gracie is such a good artist. So proud of you, my sweet Grace.

Just a selfie with my gals on the way to the library.

It's downright shameful all the more swimming we've done this summer. This girl is just starting to swim!

The one request we got from the younger kids this summer was to go to the Sky Zone in Lancaster. So, seeing as how we love Lancaster to pieces, we obliged. We combined it with a wonderful visit with Uncle Ronnie and Aunt Bonnie and, of course, all of our favorite stops like the Strasburg Railroad and the Creamery.

(above photo credit goes to Gracie)

Beautiful Lancaster County views

Picking up pennies they laid on the tracks.

We had a wonderful visit at Uncle Ronnie and Aunt Bonnie's house, and I greatly wish I had taken some photos there :(

The last week in July we loaded up again, with food and table linens and decorations and suits and dresses and headed for Georgia for this....

Matthew and Kelli opening a few gifts we brought to their soon-to-be first home...

Our family and our dearest friends, the Hepners, seeing Matthew and Kelli's progress on all the work they've put into their new home.

After the wedding, we stopped in Nashville for a bit with Mitchell and Emily.

The girls and I enjoyed the American Girl store in Franklin, TN.

It was a great trip and that's all for now. But this...

was gorgeous, and I will save all the rest of the wedding photos for my next post.

A few weeks ago, we asked the girls what one of their favorite memories was, and I thought it was noteworthy and deserved posting for posterity's sake. Faith said one of her favorite memories is when Mitchell gave her the giant carton of goldfish crackers for Christmas.

Gracie said her favorite memory is how she and Matthew used to have sleepovers in his room. They would set up a cot for her in his room and get special drinks and snacks. (Thank you for that, Matthew.) I looked and looked for a photo of that. I must not have taken any :( But I did come across this really cute photo of her looking at him adoringly back in the day. :)