Katie graduates

My niece Katie graduated from Ellinwood High School on Sunday. She was kind enough to pose for this picture with her cake (just as delicious as Anissa's since the same lady made them both) before graduation.

Katie's dad is on the school board, so he got to present his little girl with her diploma and a big hug. Very moving to see that. I can't lie, I teared up.

The graduate with her mom and dad (my brother-in-law Kenny and sister Teresa).

Katie will be attending Emporia State University this fall where she'll study to become an elementary or pre-school teacher (I'm not sure which). Unlike Anissa, who's the oldest child in her family, Katie is the baby (like me). Her parents are thrilled she's chosen a state college since both of their boys went to private schools.

Anissa graduates

Last Saturday my niece Anissa graduated from Oakley High School. This is a snap of her before graduation in her cap and gown with her cake (which was delicious).

Even though alphabetically she would have been called first, they didn't sit alphabetically and she was in the second row of graduates.

The happy graduate with her mom and dad (my sister Jenny and and brother-in-law Fred).

Anissa will be going to the vocational technical school in Goodland, Kansas, next fall to study respiratory therapy. She's excited to be moving on to the next chapter of her life. But her mom, dad and brothers are really going to miss having her around even if they don't know it yet. Congratulations and good luck to you!

Jessica's first prom

Here's the long-awaited picture of my niece Jessica and Donnie, her date for the prom a couple of weeks ago.

If Donnie looks a little scared, it's probably because he was in the company of my brother John (Jessica's dad) and John takes great pride in torturing anyone his daughters bring around. Doesn't she look elegant in her red dress with her hair up? She's definitely a jeans and t-shirt girl in everyday life, so it's wonderful to see her all dressed up. Word on the street is that Jessica and Donnie are now "dating" since going to prom. I haven't met him yet, but I'm positive I'll be a lot easier on him than John.

Here a prom, there a prom

A little over a week ago, my three oldest nieces had their proms. Three nieces, two different high schools. My niece Anissa went prom dress shopping with her dad and found this beautiful green dress which really suits her. Even though she has short(ish) hair, it looks like an elegant up-do. Here she is with her boyfriend, Quincey (from Quinter, how funny is that?), before heading to the prom.

Quincey is in college, but he and Anissa have been dating since last fall, I think. I just met him over the weekend because he came for Zach's birthday festivities. Seems like a nice young man.

Katie and Frank have been dating since last fall, too. They got to know each other when Katie was the manager for the cross country team after she quit playing volleyball (long story). It's important to point out that Katie's dress (it's actually two pieces) was designed and made by her brother, Christopher. He's a senior in music theatre at Oklahoma City University and he's getting a minor in costume design (he's graduating in a little over a week). There were some scary, hairy times concerning the dress, but he got it finished in time and she looked very glamorous in it with her hair down. It's her very own haute couture. Here's a picture of Katie and Frank in front of their tree my sister, Teresa (Katie's mom), calls Fat Albert.

Next month they'll both be graduating and then going off to college in the fall. It seems like just yesterday they were little girls and now they're practically grown.

Pictures of Jessica and her boyfriend (as she's now calling him), Donnie, will come as soon as someone sends them to me.

Prom dress shopping

Over Easter weekend, I went prom dress shopping with my four nieces. Thankfully, only two of them were looking for a dress. Anissa tried on several, but didn't buy one so I couldn't take her picture in any of them. The cranky lady who owned the shop had a sign posted and I didn't want to cross her. But Jessica found a dress, which is remarkable. She's a jeans and t-shirt girl and I can't remember the last time she voluntarily put on a dress, so it's really big news.

As her friend Amy said, "She looks good in everything." And she does. The next picture is of my nieces Victoria and Jessica and Jessica's friend, Amy (seated) after the dress was purchased.

Now, I hope that Anissa finds a dress soon because her prom is less than three weeks away. Katie's dress is being made for her by her brother Christopher. He also designed the dress as part of his minor in costume design at college. Last time I checked he hadn't started sewing it yet. I'm hoping he gets it done in time so she doesn't have to go nekkid.

Funny boy

This picture is of my niece Katie and nephew Zach taken two weeks ago. I gave him the onesie he's wearing for Christmas.

My niece Victoria took some pictures of Zach with his pants on his head last week. I don't know who is more silly, Victoria for putting them on his head or Zach for not minding. In this one you can really see his bottom teeth. And the drool.

I took this video when Zach was eating a little bit of a pancake that my Mom made. That boy does love to eat all kinds of food. This is my first foray in video, so be kind!

Lunch date

Last Friday I got a text message from my niece, Katie. It said that she was coming to Wichita and could I have lunch (basically). She had the day off from school, so she and her boyfriend, Frank, were coming to town to shop and goof off. I met them at Red Lobster (their choice) and we had a nice lunch. Once they actually got there, that is. They took a couple of wrong turns and were about 30 minutes later than I expected them.

I snapped this picture of them after we had lunch:They ended up going to the zoo and having to dodge raindrops. Well, at least they got to see me!

Happy 18th, Katie!

This is what my niece, Katie, looked like about 18 years ago. Wasn't she sweet? I think this picture was taken the day she went home from the hospital, at least she's wearing the same going home outfit her brothers wore. Katie always loved me best when she was little. She might still say I'm her favorite. :-)

When she was younger she was a bit of a screamer. But she has two older brothers, so can you blame her? She never screamed at me and always loved it when I came around (I was in college when she was born). Now I love it when she comes around. In fact, she and her Mom (my sister, Teresa) came to stay with me this past weekend.

This is what she looks like now:

Gorgeous, huh?
(photo credit to Red Door Photography in Great Bend)

Victoria plays volleyball

Yesterday I took the afternoon off and visited my friend, Laurie, in the hospital. She is recovering well after her surgery and rumor has it she went home this afternoon.

After the hospital visit, my parents and I attended my niece Victoria's volleyball match over at Wichita Collegiate. Victoria is in the eighth grade and plays on the "B" team. They kicked some booty and ended up winning the first two games (both on Victoria's serve, I might add). She has a right fine serve and was happy we were there to cheer for her team. Even though the gym wasn't air conditioned and it left like it was 99.9 degrees in there, we were glad we went too.

A couple more from the weekend

I couldn't resist taking this shot of Zach in his overalls sitting in my Dad's recliner on Sunday. My Dad lives in overalls. He wears them to work and would wear them to church except he doesn't think it's appropriate. So this is Zach's attempt to look just like his Grandpa Larry. Look at him sitting up like such a big boy. It won't be long and he'll be crawling all over the place. Can't wait.

This is Madi (my cousin Jason's daughter), my niece Jessica, and Coco the Great Dane. Or as we call her, The Horse. Coco belongs to my brother and his girls (Jessica and Victoria) and she's really a very sweet and docile dog, but people are afraid of her. It's not hard to see why. But Madi's not afraid of her at all and she'll stand for hours and be petted by little hands.

My niece Anissa

Today is my niece Anissa's 17th birthday. This picture was taken a year ago when we were on vacation in California and it's one of my favorite shots of her. I believe this was the day we went to Laguna Beach and played in the ocean. Anissa is the oldest child of my sister, Jenny (she's the middle child in my family). I remember Anissa's first birthday. She had gotten a little hippo that had a keyboard in the top and I (with the limited musical ability I have) played "Happy Birthday" on it while we sang to her. Good times, good times. She doesn't remember it, but somewhere there are pictures.

Happy Birthday, Niss! And enjoy your senior year of high school.