Lydia Leaving for Indiana

But first, celebrating Pop's 70th birthday!

At Bob Evans for brunch after church Sunday.

And dinner and cake around the table at the homestead.

Out to lunch with dad the day before she went back to Taylor University.

And saying goodbye to the fam the night before...

It's about 4 hours to Upland, Indiana.  She drove herself, and loves it!

First Day of School in Ohio

Josiah and Clara before their first day at CVCA.

Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy

The view from where we're staying about 25 minutes away.

Johanna Graduation Reception and College Departure

We were again gathered for a BFA graduate at Riverside's pavilion. 

It's an ideal place for a picnic.  Lots of folks joined after church.

As well as family from then area.

Like...

Uncle Rick, Uncle Kevin and Aunt Kristin

Grateful for Johanna's hard work and development in high school.

She's now off to Calvin University in Michigan.

About 5 hours away from Grandma's house.

Renee drove her up there and stayed a few days.

Maggie Returns to Wheaton

Leaving Ohio and saying goodbye to Mom

Moving into her big house of 8 roommates on the edge of campus.

First floor resident Maggie 

is doing her student teaching on the other side of campus at a public elementary school.  

Settling into her room, she was excited for her roommate from freshman and sophomore year to be showing up soon to room with her again.

Colorado Retreat

On the weekend from our couples retreat in Colorado,

We and the other 3 couples went white water rafting on the Colorado River!

We also enjoyed some Hot Springs in the Crystal River, near Marble, CO:

As well as the cold water, lodge and mountains:

We even found a teepee and Mongolian style Yurt!

Celebrating Anniversary and Josiah

We went to see this concert in Amish country to celebrate our 23rd Anniversary. 

Renee made cream pies for Josiah since she wasn't able to in Mongolia during his birthday in June.

4th of July in Ohio

This was actually on the 3rd of July, downtown Wadsworth, USA

Aunt and Uncle K's church participated in a street fair

Followed by fireworks

Then on the 4th of July we celebrated Johanna's birthday with family and folks

Played games and grilled 'Gramburger's' 

And finally fun with sparklers provided by great uncles.  

Happy birthday America and Johanna!

European Family Vacation

Picking Up Johanna and Clara from their Palmgarten Dorm at Black Forest Academy in Germany

With former residents Maggie and Lydia

Seeing the sites in Switzerland

Including this hike up to some deep caves above Interlaken

And coming back into sunlight

On a bridge over the river 'between the lakes' in Interlaken

In our hotel dining room

After Johanna's Graduation Ceremony and Banquet

Notre Dame Cathedral in Strasbourg, France is more than 1000 years old!

It served as the model of the one in Paris

and changed hands between Germany and France, Catholic and Protestant over the centuries. 

 

Johanna Graduates from Black Forest Academy

With High Honors!

Giving a speech at the Senior Awards Ceremony

And with Student Council as Senior Class President

So great to have all the kids and their aunt and uncle in attendance.

And of course the proud parents ;D

The climactic moment!

The happy graduate with her best friends

Renee, Johanna, Lydia, Josiah

And her dorm sisters from Palmgarten

All the Academy princesses Maggie, Johanna, Lydia and Clara

with Josiah

And the grandparents Jerry and Ann in attendance