The last few weeks have been a busy time for us here at the Pines. We had decided to go to Portland, Oregon to see our Grandson, Taylor, graduate from high school. We hadn't been there in 5 years! We had planned to go to his sister's high school graduation in 2020 but we all know what happened there! No graduation for that class. Just a drive by. Then we ran into all of Jack's surgeries and mine too. Whew. This year we decided we were going to make the trip for Taylor. I'm so glad we did! Getting ready for a trip sometimes is stressful all in it's self. But thankfully Jordan is back here and he took care of Annabelle and the house. Just packing and making arrangements and off we went. We hadn't flown in 5 years either and it's still as nutty as always. However, folks have also put off traveling until this year so it was crowed also. But we had no issues with flying or anything and we had a really fun time. I was so glad to see our kids. We hadn't seen Craig, Amy, Katie, Taylor, and Sophie in 2 years and that's long time in a kiddos life. They grown, change, mature, and become mini adults! These kids are so cool and well behaved and just a delight to be around. Good parenting helps! So here's a few pics...or maybe a lot of pics...of our whirlwind trip to Portland:
Of course we need the iconic out the plane window pic! Hello Yellowstone!
They had a lot work done on the house. Last time we were here it was blue! I like the new color!
Out to lunch at a cute little place that we've been to before and just love...especially their delish pastries!
Craig agrees! He's such a funny guy!
They had a lot of work done on the inside of the house too. Jack found his happy place there!
But here's the real reason for the trip. To celebrate Mountainside High School graduation.
So proud of you Taylor! Here's his whole family...Katie, Mom Amy, Taylor, Craig, and sister Sophie.
He'll be off to BYU Idaho in the fall where he'll join sister Katie as she does her final year there.
Party time on Saturday. He chose to celebrate with his 3 best friends he's had all through school. Craig and Amy hosted and every family chipped in with the food. Great idea as folks only had to go to one place to see all the guys! It was super fun and well attended.
One of the boy's mom made this beauty! I would say she's very talented! Each boy told them what they wanted at the party.
Taylor wanted chocolate covered strawberries so I made him some that morning. There were tons of other food also with favorites from the other grads. A video was made of all the boys from littles on up to present day. It was great to see all of them and how they grew and changed over the years. Time does go by so fast. I can't believe Taylor is now getting ready to go to college. I guess you could say it was a whirlwind of time! Just like it was when Craig was little and now he's a grown up super Dad! I'm so proud of him and Amy for the wonderful family they have raised. I'm glad we made the trip and were able to help with things as well as celebrate. Congrats Taylor! We love you!
7 comments:
Hi, YaYa!
I'm happy that you were able to carry out your plan and fly to Oregon this year for Taylor's graduation and that you had Jord to take care of Annabelle back at the ranch. Also glad that you had nice, uneventful flights out and back. During my recent blog break, Mrs. Shady and I completed a long distance round trip by air and encountered equally "friendly skies." Your header image is terrific, showing the grads making their way to their seating area for the start of the ceremony. A hearty congratulations to grandkiddo Taylor, his buddies and all the other grads of Mountainside High about to enter the world as adults. The delightful group picture of Katie, Amy, Taylor, Craig, and Sophie reminds us that our children and grandkiddos do indeed grow up fast. You're right. There is no substitute for good parenting. You can always tell when you encounter a family in which it is a priority and the kids are being raised right. Isn't Sophie the little one who gave us the classic "Oregon, Portland" quote years ago?
Those cakes and chocolate covered strawberries make my mouth water. I'm clawing at the screen trying to get to them. I don't remember Craig's house from before, but it sure looks great now, inside and out. Congratulations once again to your fine grandson Taylor, and best wishes to him and his family and friends. So happy that you were able to get out there to celebrate this important milestone with them.
Well, dear friend. This will be my last visit to Whispering Pines for quite some time. In case you haven't heard, I am preparing to take another blog break, a long one lasting five months, as Mrs. Shady and I prepare to move to another state more than 1,000 miles away. (Hint - I will finally be able to experience cold and snow again, instead of merely reading about winter weather and seeing pictures of it on your blog.) I have one last regularly scheduled post currently running at Shady's Place, and it will be followed next week by the official announcement of my long hiatus. I will miss you and your family while I am away, and hope to find you all in good health and good spirits when I return and resume blogging. Please take good care of yourself and my sweetie Annabelle until we are reunited here at The Pines sometime in November. Bless you, dear friend YaYa!
What a wonderful adventure for you great food and a wonderful family. 2 years is a long time so glad you got to go. Kids grow so fast. We flew this year for the first time in 4 years and it was crowded. Not a huge fan of flying but if you need to get there you need to fly.
Cathy
Yes congrats to the grad... WOW love the cakes, Great pictures and I know you enjoyed the trip to Portland. Nice place, but to far for us again.....
Sherry & jack we enjoyed the visit...
I'm so glad you had a successful trip and enjoyed your time with another part of your beautiful family. Congratulations to Taylor. It sounds like he has been given all the tools he needs for a successful adult life ahead. I can't imagine traveling anymore although I would like to. I went away for a few days a while back and was at a loss at even how to pack. It does help, though, having someone to pet sit and hold down the fort. Those always seem to be the biggest challenges here. ~Robin~ (Those strawberries look AMAZING!)
A big congratulations to Taylor! Glad your trip went well with no hitches. I wont travel anymore via plane, but will do a few jaunts by car now and then. Their house looks beautiful and so glad Jack found his spot. Looked like a great spot indeed! Janice
Thanks for sharing the events of your whirlwind trip. Flying doesn't appeal to me since all the disruption lately, especially if you have to make connections.
Congratulations to Taylor on his graduation. I'm glad that you didn't have to worry about Annabelle so you could enjoy yourself more. Craig's house looks beautiful. They look like a happy couple.
Summer is just around the corner and we are still planting vegetables since the weather was so cold and wet. The weather has warmed up but not many sunny days.
Take care and stay well.
Hugs, Julia
Congratulations to Taylor! I am sure that he must still be the little boy you have shown us on your blog, he has grown up so quickly! Glad you and Jack were able to make this trip and you can make chocolate covered strawberries for me anytime. xx
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