Emily's First Skating Competition

This girl put on her first pair of ice skates 14 years ago...

...and HATED EVERY SECOND OF IT...

Who knew, we'd be here today, at her very first skating competition!?!? She has been skating now for a few years, and LOVES her job as an assistant coach at several ice rinks. She skates multiple times a week, and can even be found at the rink at 6am some days to squeeze in a practice! She is growing everyday into a confident, poised and BEAUTIFUL skater, and we could NOT be more proud of her!

In case you're wondering... this is what a nervous mom at a competition looks like...

Despite it being her first attempt, and deciding to sign up with only 1 month to practice, she placed FIRST in her group of skaters! Way to go, girl!

Her coach was SO proud!!!!

First thing off the ice, she called her anxiously awaiting fans to tell them the awesome news. I don't think our family has EVER all joined a Facetime call so fast!

Way to go Emily! We can't wait to see your next performance now!!!!!

Check out her very first skating competition performance here!

Grad Party

We had a wonderful time celebrating Abby's graduation with family, friends & neighbors! Thank you to everyone who joined in with us in person, those who sent in sweet notes and gifts from afar, and to each and every person who shared a sweet video for Abby's slideshow! She was deeply touched, and my mom heart is so thankful to you all! 

The party was a big success, and even extended into the next day for several sweet friends!

Thank you to everyone!

Graduation

This has been a long time coming, but Abigail's high school graduation is finally here! She has worked SO hard over the years, and has developed a contagious love for learning that she has shared with us all. She is going to do AMAZING things in the future, and we can't wait to see what her next journey brings! Congratulations Abigail!

Those first day of school pictures have piled up over the years...

(And last day of school pics if you're at home because of Covid...)

Throw in a few homecoming pictures too when first day ones aren't cool anymore...

It's graduation day!!!

Thank God for sisters!

Graduation was in downtown Raleigh, so our crew went out to dinner before to celebrate!

The mad dash in the crazy Southern heat to line up in time...

Kari and Julia look like they coordinated outfits!

And I was just thankful I packed my electric fan!

We are SO proud of our graduate, and she was so excited to be able to share the moment with her old principal, who came back for the big night!

For all of those who remember Brian's MBA graduation, I've been waiting 12 years to take this picture again! 

We could not be more proud of the hard work & dedication that Abigail has put in to her schooling, and we are SO excited to see what lies ahead for her at North Carolina State University in the fall!