Colton's Graduation Party

Today was Colton's High School Graduation Party - it was a huge success. So many friends, family and church family. What a special way to celebrate! JD and Carla had the backyard looking spectacular, we set up tents and things were rolling along and then the rains came - thank goodness we only had a hour or so left! We just transitioned indoors. Here are a few quick pics from the party . . tomorrow is graduation!




JD has lots more pics so we will have to get him to post some of them. Thanks to everyone who took time out of their hectic May schedules to come and share with Colton. He was truly amazed at the generosity of the gifts he received. Colton - we are proud of you!

Cardinals and Colton's Birthday

We celebrated Colton's birthday at the Cardinals game tonight. The Cards beat the Astros 3-2! I had 6 tickets in a party room and we had a blast ! Happy 19th Colton Henley scrolled across the ribbon boards 4 different times. We are now getting ready for Colt's grad party on Saturday and his graduation on Sunday!

Happy 19th Birthday Colton Dean Henley

What a fun day for your birthday . . your last day of high school! We are going to celebrate tonight at the Cardinals game! Happy Birthday Colton!

Graduation Sunday at Maryland Heights

Today was Graduation Sunday at Maryland Heights. We started off with a brunch for the teens and their families. Each graduate had a special table done in their school colors. At the end of worship pictures were shared of the grads and a wish/dream/charge from their parents as they move on to college.

A few more from Jake's Graduation . . . .

Jake's Graduation - Monticello High School

Jake's graduation was today, May 18th. Yesterday afternoon he had his graduation party - lots of his friends were there so he was thrilled! Today we began with breakfast out, church together and then to graduation. It was an emotional moment as Jake walked across the stage. He was a good sport and Aunt Nancy took about 125 pics over the weekend :) Here are a few favorites of him. Jake we are very proud of you - Congratulations!

Eric Inducted into National Junior Honor Society

Tonight was Eric's induction into the National Junior Honor Society at Hardin 7th and 8th Grade School. It was a very nice ceremony attended by Carla, Kyle, Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Nancy. There was a special pledge, awarding of certificates and a candlelight ceremony. We finished with a reception in the cafeteria. JD and Colton were at the SCW Band Banquet. Congratulations Eric we are very proud of you! Keep up the good work!

Happy 13th Birthday Matthew Allen Kruse

Happy Birthday Matt! Matt is a sports nut and we know his passion is playing basketball! Matt is an outstanding student, witty and a good friend. Happy Birthday Matthew!

Jake's Honors Night - Lori

Last night Jake received the Outstanding Social Science Student,
Rotary High Honor Student and Prairie State Achievement Award in reading. He
was so happy about the Social Science Award. Mrs. Espnecheid presented him
with the award. She said it was going to a young man who had taken all his
electives in the area of social sciences and he had excelled in all his
classes. She also shared that he has the ability to summarize complex social
events with a twist of humor.

SCW Pops Concert

Colton and Kyle had their Pops concert tonight. It is tough to get pictures in the auditorium. We were joined by Dave and Sara tonight. Here are a few pics from the evening.

A look at this week . . . .Aunt Nancy

Wow, 5 nephews have us all going in a zillion directions this week. We are very proud of all five of the "boys" and what kind of guys they are and what they have accomplished. This is the list of activities for this week:
Tuesday - Colton and Kyle Band Concert - last one for Colton
Last day of High School for Jake - woo-hoo!
Jake - Honors Assembly at High School
Thursday - Matt turns 13!
St. Charles West Band Banquet - Colton's Senior Band Banquet
Eric - Junior National Honor Society Induction
Saturday - Jake's Graduation Party
Sunday - Jake's graduation from Monticello High School

Warning to my nephews : Aunt Nancy will have her camera, batteries charged and ready to go! There is no end to my photo opportunities this week :) Lori and JD - since I can't be at all the events I am counting on you to have your cameras ready!

Turn on the Light - wait there's no Power! Nancy

Update - Power restored on Monday evening - still no phone, internet or tv as of Tuesday noon! Those services should be restored by Tuesday afternoon.
Marlin, Carolyn and Nancy have had no power since Sunday, 3:16 am. Dad took some pics today of where the top of the power pole (in our back yard) was sheared off and the transformer is on the ground. I am glad that we have a generator and that Dad knows how to use it (hey, he hooked up my blow dryer this morning so I didn't have another day of crazy curly hair!) Hopefully, this evening power will be restored.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to 3 Tremendous Mothers - Carolyn, Lori and Carla! You deserve a day in your honor! We love you!

What's in a Letter?

Matt had honors night at Monticello Middle School last night. He got his "letter" for basketball. He also got the "dog-tag" for high honor roll - Matt's comment about the dog tag - it would have been okay to have just received a certificate. Matt also received a spelling bee award. Matthew- we're proud of you!

Happy 18th Birthday Jacob Paul Kruse

Today is Jake's 18th Birthday. Jacob was born in Champaign, IL on May 5th. He weighed 12 pounds and was 25 inches long at birth. He is an exceptional young man. Jake will head to Northern Illinois this fall for college. The last couple of weeks have been busy for him with high school activities! He graduates on May 18th. Happy Birthday Jake!

Church of Christ Day at the Ballpark - 5/3/08

Church of Christ Day at the ballpark is always a good time. CFS, Christian Academy and Camp Ne-O-Tez all benefit from the sale of the tickets! It was cool and windy where we were seated and the Cubs trounced the Cardinals but it was still a good day. Mom, Dad, JD, Carla, Colton, Kyle, Eric, Matt, Aunt Joyce and Uncle Don were in our family group. The total group was around 460 people! One of the funniest things of the day was the Cubs fans with the banners yelling about it being their year - my nephews responded with a chant of 1908! That being the last time the Cubs won the World Series - they have two rings to the Cardinal 10!

Kind of funny that for our family Bruce Weber, coach of the Illini basketball team would be throwing out the first pitch. Matt and Eric are headed to his basketball camp in June!