Graduation Week

Brandon graduated from Blue Valley North High School. He will attend Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah in the fall.

Proud Parents

Graduation pictures and gifts!

Left:  Brandon---Chris Davis---Danny Muccino---Luke Thompson

Brandon and Kristy Koncak

Free picture collage made with Smilebox Hunter plays alto sax in the BVN Graduation ceremonial band!

This free collage personalized with Smilebox

A free collage by Smilebox

Mrs. Jodi Sundquist--pictured next to my parents with Brandon--was Brandon's, Hunter's and Carson's preschool teacher. Her niece attends BVN and we just happened to run into her at Kemper Arena.

Carson Bishop graduated from Valley Park Elementary--he will be in 6th grade next year!

Mrs. Wedel presents Carson his diploma while Mrs. Talley and Mrs. Woker look upon.

Peter Bagley is Carson's best friend! They have a lot in common and enjoy playing the trumpet and using their imaginations!

Make a digital collage

Each of the children received some special gifts for making it to the next year of school!  The most exciting of all was the luggage. The boys were convinced that they could squeeze Jessie in and let Brandon take her to college with him!  Not a bad idea!

Jessie graduated from Valley View United Methodist Preschool. She will attend KINDERGARTEN next fall.

Congratulations---you make us PROUD!

SLIDESHOW of BEB for his Graduation Party

GRADUATION BEB PICS HERE

GRADUATION SLIDESHOW PICS HERE

Meet the SQUISH.............

Introducing one of my more embarrassing motherhood stories opens the door for reverse age discrimination! I have something that many twenty-something mothers don't have---EXTRA SKIN!

   .........I am so lucky!

Conveniently placed below my chin and under my arms,

 (my 5-year-old daughter named it this endearing term)

Isn't it lovely?

While visiting an art gallery, I noticed that even Rembrandt's 
subjects struggled with the "squish."

"Rembrandt, like Shakespeare, uses his art to convey ideas which apply to human beings of all times and all cultures. Great art is, in this sense, timeless."

A young mother shows loves with a secret eye twitch, private tickle spot, warm hug, catchphrase understood only by them, and disguised messages. My five-year old cuddles up to this "Squish" to comfort herself and receive love. She kisses, jiggles and smooths it over and over like a fleshy security blanket. This dangling, floppy pudge is just too irresistible.

Who would have thought that this wrinkled outer shell, stretching over my aging body would be so useful?
We forty-something mothers should rejoice in our uniqueness and usefulness as aged body parts sag and become more beloved than ever.

....watch out Grandmas....here comes JESSIE to squeeze your "SQUISH"!  

Jessie's LAST Day of school

After an endless week of clouds and rain, Jessie was able to join her fellow preschoolers in the LAST day of her preschool experience. She's enjoyed the 3-day-a-week session with her caring and creative teachers. Warm hugs and open arms were ready to greet her each class and teach her social and educational skills.  

              NOW SHE IS READY FOR.....................

......... PANTHER PRIDE in her FIRST year of Kindergarten!

The true question:..........................

..........IS MOM READY!!?

Concert on the Lawn--LAST ONE!

The annual "concert on the lawn," which has been held inside for 2 years due to rainy weather, is a significant ending to Brandon's tenure at Blue Valley North High School. It is through the band that he gained valued leadership and relationship skills, as well as developing his musical ear. The fellow band geeks gave him some much needed perspective on being involved in extracurricular activities. Furthermore, he met his FIRST girlfriend from the band and learned the fine art of communicating with a female and juggling his/her emotions. Their 2-month relationship taught them both many lessons which they can use in future dating. 

They have ended their relationship as they recognize their summer schedules are vastly different and they are headed in different directions for college pursuits.

Prior to the Senior Awards, Hunter gathers with his friends and enjoys an Italian feast catered by a local restaurant. The freshman band members wear these tux shirts and ties during concert season.

Before the performance, Doc Roberts and Mary Watson, present the SENIORS with awards. 

Brandon, Kristy, and Nicoli---DRUM majors accept their awards.

9th Grade Band performs for the standing-room-only crowd.

Brandon delivers his baton to the 2010-2011 Drum Major.

BVN Seniors present this quilt to the band directors!  It is beautiful!

Hunter, Rachel Iba, Chris Davis, Camille Larson, Kristy Koncak, Brandon

BVN seniors play their LAST song!!!!!!!!!!!!  I cried all the way through this piece--Gabriel's Oboe-- and could hardly steady the camera! Brad had to take a VERY unruly Jessie home and missed the show!

Suite of American Dances

A haircut like no other....

It all started in 1984 in a little barbershop in Dortmund, Germany. A thick german voice bellowed from the hair cutter as he inquired concerning the style desired by the young man. "Short enough to be above my ears, but still look good."  

Serving a proselyting mission for the LDS church, 19-year-old Brad found himself learning many new helpful survival skills, the most useful being cutting his OWN hair. After his FIRST German haircut, in which the barber stylistically placed a ceramic bowl on top of Brad's head and shaved a circle, Brad took up cosmetology. Even foreign missionaries have some pride.

As one pictures the technique required to cut one's OWN hair, visualize a 6'1' man with his back to the wall mirror, squatted down (GERMANS can be short and round) while holding a small mirror in one hand and razor sharp scissors in the other. After 26 years and countless bloody knuckles, the approach to achieving the perfect look has not changed.

Naturally delegated in our family as the beautician, Brad has always cut the boys hair and his own.

Brandon's first haircut age 9 months

Hunter's first haircut--age 15 months 

(just could not cut the curly locks)

Carson's first haircut--12 months

Cousin Lauren Huntsman and Jessica Bishop assist the stylist 

in blowing the hair off Brandon's shoulders--age 17

...quite possibly they will learn to follow in their Dad's HANDPRINTS!!"

Jessica's preschool experience

A digital scrapbooking design by Smilebox

Valley View United Methodist Preschool HERE