Shira and Danny Graduate!

We were most fortunate to be able to attend John's niece's graduate school graduation! They flew in from Florida for the event! Both Shira and Danny have earned their Master's Degrees!

                              Presiding over the ceremony, and confirming the degrees bestowed
 Commencement speaker is none other than Captain Mary Jackson.  The first ever female Commander of Naval Station Norfolk!

                                                                   Shira is hooded!

                                                                                Yay!!!

                                                   Stopping to take pictures with the big guy!

               Shira and Danny, both in their cap, gowns and hoods!! Job well done!! Congratulations!

 Danny was to graduate with his school on the west coast but it conflicted with Shira's graduation.  He brought his robe and celebrated with his lovely wife! What a guy!  On a side noted, there was a mix up with his gown, it was for a much taller person...I feel for the guy who got Danny's robe! 

Shira and Danny with Danny's sponsor from his Naval Academy days and his daughter.

The last Orchestra Concert for Ian's High School Career!

I don't think John and I will ever forget when Ian was in the 5th grade and asked if he could play the violin in the school's music class.  We said sure and rented a violin for him, thinking, this will probably last only the school year but at least it is a great experience. I remember as he trundled out of the car one morning when I dropped him off with violin case in tow, I asked him if people made of fun of him because of orchestra.  He said, "No mom, me and my friends are making Orchestra cool again!"  Right he was!!  Little did I know that once he got into high school, part of his "school supplies" was a tuxedo!  Well, he went through two of them! 

 Here we are, 8 years later (Needless to say we ditched the rented violin and made a big purchase of Ian's own violin!)  and at his last concert.  It was bitter sweet for us as well as him but oh the experiences and good times  he has had!  He traveled to NYC this past spring to compete in a festival and had a wonderful time seeing the sights and making memories!  His cousin, Layah and  her husband stopped by where the kids were dining to say hello! 

                                        Ian with his buddies, making Orchestra cool again!!

                                                                Good times, great memories!!

Here is tidbit of sectional duet that Ian played!

They play, Lady Gaga!

Convention in Orlando!

I'm one of those geeky people who love learning and get excited about conferences and learning new stuff! In my position at work for the USN, there is a conference once a year that is a week long for learning and sharing so we can be better at our jobs. This year the conference was in Orlando, FL. The conference was a week long and though it was a lengthy conference, much learning took place! The facility was lovely and I met some wonderful people!

views of our lovely hotel. 

 Our Hotel was connected to a large mall.  Thank goodness.  Since we were in conference all day, it left us little time to venture out.  So we entertained ourselves at the Mall.  Here Brandi and I visited M&M World! 

It was a fun time!  We learned a lot and are looking forward to next year.  Wonder where next years conference will be held!!

Destination Mason 2011

This has been a year filled with stress for Ian. It's his senior year!  He has been busy with his AP classes, his Eagle project, working on fund raisers for an Orchestra competition and trip to NYC and applying to colleges!  He applied to his three favorites.  Luckily, he was accepted to all three!  He picked his first choice and as luck or grades, would have it, recieved an academic grant as well, to George Mason University!  Mason is located near the Washington DC area in Fairfax, Virginia!

Destination Mason!

We went up to take our second tour of Mason.  We were welcomed with most of the incoming freshman class by the pep band, the Green Machine and Mason's Mascot, the Patriot!

Since we were hounded to pay the housing deposit for Ian's freshman year, by Ian.  We/He was rewarded with a free Mason Tshirt and a bath towel, both emblazzoned with Mason in the school colors of green and gold! He's set now, he has clothes and a towel!

George Mason is quite diverse and though a large university, it doesn't have those huge freshman classes that people might think.  Though it is a big school is has small home town appeal.  There were a variety of clubs, sororities, fraternities and groups with tables to welcome the incoming freshman class.

 I couldn't resist taking this picture.  The trees were beautiful!! 

 One of the clubs looking for new team members!!  Ian said this one was right up his alley!

                                                   More of those lovely trees about campus

                                                               The observatory on campus!

 Now, when I saw this sign on the roof of the cafeteria...I knew I was at a college!! Love it!

                                                                       No parking!!!

 Ah, the beloved statue of George Mason!  Decked out in Mason gear!!  Brings back memories of Bing Crosby out in front of what was then Crosby Library at Gonzaga University!  Now the old Crosby Library is the new student union for those of you who are Zags!

                                          More lovely trees and some of the art that is around the campus

As we left the campus I told Ian, I naturally wanted a picture of him at Mason!  We passed this stack of "books" and he was all too eager to pose!!  We will be returning to Mason in July to go through orientation and register for classes!  I will officially be broke! 

Forensics State Championship in Harrisonburg, Virginia April 2010

It was that time of year again! Forensics Season!  Ian once again dazzled the competition with his gift of gab and not only did he qualify for Nationals, he made it to State! Here is contemplating his upcoming competition!!

Ian's category in Forensics is Extemporaneous speaking.  This means,  he is given a topic and has 30 minutes to research (through magazines and books and his brain- no computers allowed) and develop his speech that will be 7 minutes long.  No more than 7 minutes otherwise he will be docked points!

 While Ian competed, we were not allowed in the room where Ian competed.  There are mostly just a few judges and Ian said he would feel nervous if we were in the room while he presented his topic and spoke!
So, John and I took this opportunity to explore some of the tiny towns around Harrisonburg!  We went to a town called Dayton and I spied this sign.  Kind of made me chuckle!

 John found a very cool book store just around the corner from the cool sign. I found quite  a few quaint stores as we explored! Dayton is home to quite a few of the more, strict Menonnite brethern.  We did see a man putting his buggy away but none driving around town this time. 

 We checked back in with Ian...he finished the first three rounds....we wait for them to determine who would make it to the final round!  This is THE most nerve wrecking time!  Can you tell by Ian's face!!?? 

                      The rest of the team and parents wait...nap...snack...and chat....while we wait!!!!!!

 Josh, Taylor and ian chat a bit while we....wait!!!!

 Ian made it to the final round! He was off!!  He left to gather up the topic they assigned him and do his research!!!  More waiting!!  Last year, Ian placed 5th in State. This year just at the state competition alone he competed against 12 other people!! 

                      Josh and Ian! Two peas in a pod!  Josh and Ian have been buds since second grade! 

 Ian took 4th in State!!!  Ian auditioned for a position on the George Mason University Forensics Team! Cross your fingers he is selected!! 

 Well we figured out why the man was putting his buggy away!  Snow was forcasted!  We woke up to 3 inches of snow on the ground!  Here is a picture of the town square in Harrisonburg, VA.

 A cannon that John wanted a picture of In Harrisonburg. 

 Look at this snow covered field. Looks like it snowed in stripes!  It was the cut of the crop I expect but it looked pretty cool!!  Like God painted the fields cuz he got bored with just shaking the snow on the ground!

                                                    More of the area around Harrisonburg, VA. 

Sweetheart Dance with Beta Sigma Phi

Every year the Beta Sigma Phi Council here in Tidewater hosts a Valentine's Dance.  Each chapter nominates a Sweetheart from their chapter and from those candidates, a Queen and Princess for Council is chosen.  This year, I was honored with the title of Queen!  My chapter sister's mom, who is in another chapter, was Princess!  I am humbled by the honor and hope to live up to the Council's expectations!

 My consort!  John in his tux and mask! The theme of the Dance was Phantom of the Opera!! 

Ian's German Chocolate Cake

So, Ian and my former coworker/friend, Teresa were talking about learning the German Language.  Since Teresa will be moving to Germany, Ian offered to provide her with some german music, in exchange for a German Chocolate cake!  Here is the cake Ian, did Teresa get her music?? lol

This cake was so huge it wouldn't fit in my cake container.  That portion missing is the portion Teresa cut out for herself and Mark.  This cake could have have fed an army, it was  huge and it was  DELISH!!!