Krypto's high school graduation

A great way to start off a graduation week is to get your driver's license...so excited that the COVID-19 restrictions finally lifted...since March of 2020 they hadn't been doing the driving portion of the licensing exam, so Krypto had passed his written and eye exam but had been waiting for his driving test to get his actual license.

Here's our boy...all decked out and ready for his graduation!

Grandma Stamp has been ill and can't drive anymore, so she gave her 2004 Ford Focus to Caleb to drive. What an awesome gift!

Scrapbook table all set up and ready for people to sign.

We also set up a table with the original art work for Krypto's novels. We had a few copies of the books for sale, as well.

The gift table, with the "Granny Spiked My Ripple" afghan that I made for his dorm room this fall.

Food!!!

I had a homeschool friend of mine make these specialty LU cookies. They turned out great!

With Noah, a friend from church.

With Ian, best friends for years in Kyrgyzstan, and now in the US and together again!

With Uncle Tony, the kids' godfather.

Kyrpto speaking outside and also on Zoom since we had so many people who couldn't show up.

Guests in the backyard.

More guests.

Indy did the main speaking and then Uncle Chris Clinchard spoke and led the final prayer over Krypto.

Enjoying our time together afterward.

Yummy food!

Hanging out in the kitchen and talking.

Mingling and signing scrapbooks and looking at Krypto's books.

With Adam and Gabe McDuffee, friends from church.

Later, the next day, opening gift cards.

So excited about his new LU hat.

Game time with Uncle Tony and Ian.

Family game time.

S'mores in the backyard.

Kids with my dad and Isabel who came to visit from Arkansas.

Photo with Tony before they wall had to head out.

The kids went with Tony up to DC and were able to visit the Marine Corps Museum, finally.

And, get some super cook ice cream.

That weekend a lifelong friend had another graduation party since their son and Krypto were graduating at the same time. So thankful that they included us.

Indy and Krypto talking.

Cake!

Group photo.

Hanging out and talking as the sun goes down.

Krypto's #18 and Gwangi's #16

The boys' birthdays are just under a month apart and this spring just flew right on by.

Here are their birthday pictures...Krypto turned 18 and Gwangi turned 16. We are so excited for both of them and can hardly believe how fast they have grown up.

We always let the kids pick all their meals on their birthday. Krypto asked for chocolate chip pecan pancakes for breakfast.

Super yummy way to start the day. Can't believe this may possibly be one of the last birthdays that we'll be together, on the actual birthday day. Going to college is cool, but I'm bummed we'll not be together on the 6th of April from here on out...

I had to get full use out of my birthday candles, so we put whipped cream and candles on his pancakes.

He asked for a nice boxed glass/crystal chess set that he can take with him to college; so I got to work and found one on eBay, still in the box.

He also asked for the board game Cosmic Encounters. It has proven to be quite the hit with the family and his friends.

We bought a turtle ice cream cake, from a local bakery. They call it the Kernersville Krunch. Again, super tasty and we highly recommend Whit's Frozen Custard if you're looking for something like this.

Family game time!

The next day we found out that Krypto had received the Valedictorian Scholarship, full tuition, to Liberty University and we could financially have him attend. Huge weight lifted and a super amazing Happy Birthday gift!

Then, Indy and Krypto took a drive up to Lynchburg that weekend to meet up with his new roommate. It was a fun trip and the guys made a great first connection. It's going to be a wonderful year for him at Liberty.

A couple of weeks later it was Gwangi's 16th birthday! It was also Mother's Day and so every few years he and I share our special day. He wanted a mint chocolate chip ice cream cake. This one we got at Baskin Robbins as mint chocolate chip wasn't a flavor that Whit's had in stock that week.

A visit with some friends for Gwangi's birthday. We got to eat outside and be together, perfect weather.

The table, all set up for a rousing game of Star Wars Armada.

Gwangi, opening a card from one of his friends.

Of course, it was Star Wars themed.

A new RPG system for his birthday.

Game time!

They had a great time, playing as teams since the game is really only two player.

More fun.

The ships for this game are so cool and detailed.

For Mother's Day and Gwangi's birthday we went to Texas Roadhouse for lunch.

That night, on the way home from Youth Group, we picked up some more cookie dough cake from Walmart because we just couldn't let the day, or the candles, go to waste.

 

Family Photos April 2021 and the OBX

We have a most wonderful friend who owns a home out in the Outer Banks (OBX). He has let us stay there before, and we were so thrilled to be able to visit again. If you need a great place to stay in Avon, NC, be sure to look at renting Revival House! 

While we were out there, we were celebrating Krypto's 18th birthday and upcoming graduation. I wanted to commemorate the time with some family photos of the five of us, at one of our favorite places. Enjoy!