Rend Lake 2016

We took a road trip to Illinois and Missouri over the 4th of July and it will be in two different blog posts.  Part I:  Rend Lake, IL for a Goforth Family reunion.  Larry and his siblings lived with some family in the area when they were children.  The family came together to help out in an emergency situation.  They all hadn't gotten together really since then, so Larry and his siblings planned a reunion.  

Otis rode with Larry and Sandy.  We left with the kids on Friday and stopped in Columbus.  We stayed in a hotel, but met up with our good friends, The Yohe family, for dinner.  

We rented out the Rend Lake Cabins in the Woods, one for each family.  It was a great set-up, allowing all the kids to run back and forth and explore since it was a dead-end gravel road. We had packed a tent and all of our camping gear because the cabin only slept 7, but due to the rainy weather we did end up cramming in the cabin.  

homemade ice cream!

The cabins were a 2 minute drive from the beach on the lake, so Greg and I piled all the kids in and headed over.

The reunion was all set for Sunday afternoon and it was a great turnout of 65 people.  Unfortunately, it was not the best weather.  I stayed for a little while and then took the kids back to the cabin for naps.

The whole group, after we headed back to cabin

On Monday morning, Greg and I took the kids to grab some breakfast and stopped at the dam on the way back.

Then it was on our way to St. Louis for Part II...

Graham Move Up Day 2016

Every July, the kids at the Wolk Center move up to their new classroom. Graham's teachers had a Move Up Ceremony where all the kids got a certificate and a goodie bag and everyone had treats.  Graham's superlative was "Mr. Independent".  I guess he says "My do it" at school just as much as at home!

Miss Lory is the teacher in this photo, always ready for a nice hug

This is Miss Sarah, the other teacher not pictured was Miss Liz

Parker Pre-K Graduation

It was so bittersweet to say farewell to Parker's days at the Wolk Center.  We absolutely loved her teachers this past year and Parker was so sad every time she thought about not seeing Ms. Donnelly every day.  

The school organized a Pre-K Graduation ceremony and the kids prepared some songs.  I have a bunch of videos here.  In the first one, they are wearing spiders on their heads.  Parker is in the pink striped dress towards the end.

Afterwards everyone went back to the room for a treat.  (oh and one photo of Graham waiting for the show to start)

Mr. Reeder, he was the rough & tumble fun teacher, as well as the Music Man, he can play so many different instruments!

Ms. Donnelly, Parker's special teacher friend, she had unlimited patience & love for our girl

Parker's best bud, Mia

Miss Sylvia, such a sweet & calm presence

Afterwards, we went out to dinner and then for ice cream.  Here is Parker posing like the statue at Pittsford Farms Dairy.