Graduation 2015

Our firstborn graduated from high school on May 17.  Surprisingly, I wasn't that emotional or sentimental.  Perhaps it is because he has only been at Cole Valley for one year.  Maybe I sense his excitement and anticipation of moving on to the next phase of schooling.   And quite possibly, it is just because I know I have him around all summer and all those emotional, sentimental feelings will hit me in full force when I send him off to Dordt next fall.   We are  proud of the young man Caleb has become with God's help and feel extremely humbled and blessed with the awards and recognition he received at graduation.  

In the senior slide show at graduation

Receiving a gift for maintaining a 4.0 GPA

Recognition as a National Merit Commended Student

Receiving a gift for being a Vanguard Award nominee.  From the Commencement Program:  "Every year a Cole Valley Christian Schools' senior is recognized who exemplifies Christian character and leadership.  This student is devoted to Christ, leads out in front of others, has a desire to obey, and eagerness to learn, a willingness to serve, is a disciplined scholar, and has a loving and generous spirit."

All the Vanguard Award nominees

Being recognized as the Vanguard Award Recipient

Waiting in the wings for his diploma

Receiving Congratulations from a board member and then below from Superintendent Brad Carr

Cole Valley Christian Class of 2015

Caleb with his siblings who love him so much.

We had a small open house at our home the following Saturday afternoon from 2-4.  Caleb wanted gourmet cupcakes and lots of fruit.  We added a couple veggie trays and two different kinds of salsa with chips.  Caleb doesn't drink soda (hasn't for a couple years) and enjoys his ice water.  Lately, he has been experimenting with flavoring his water with various fruits/veggies/herbs.  For his party we made a huge jug of lemon cucumber mint infused water that was wonderfully refreshing.  We also made Great Grandma Herman's Berry Punch which has been (and still is!) a huge favorite.  

Planning the party was not that stressful because Caleb knew exactly what food he wanted, how he wanted to decorate, and what memorabilia he wanted to display.  The next one may be a little different...I can already see the blank stares and "I don't care" shrugs.

Caleb's extremely bright and talented friend Carter who was on both the cross-country and track team with him.

Caleb and Nicolas and girls from CVCS

High school and college friends from church who happen to all attend Nampa Christian.

I had initially planned to make the cupcakes myself and asked a mother/daughter in our church who I know both love to cook/bake and entertain if they had cupcake tiers that I could borrow.  Not only did they have several cupcake tiers they could lend me, Aimee volunteered to bake the cupcakes.  We did NOT regret that decision!  They were just the cutest cupcakes ever, AND they tasted awesome. 

Caleb's favorite:  Raspberry Lemon

My favorite:  Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup.  Not as rich as you would think.  I could develop a craving for these!

Nicolas' favorite:  Almond Berry--a surprise whole strawberry in the middle!