Here fishy, fishy....

When our Japanese exchange students came to stay with us a few weeks ago, we took the little fish tank in Amanda's room out and put it in the laundry room. (So the humm of the motor wouldn't bother them, since they were sleeping in there.) We were usually careful to close the laundry room door so the cats wouldn't go in, but one day the door was left open. When I first saw Abbie, she was trying to stick her little paw inside the hole in the lid and then she had her nose pressed up to the hole, but I didn't get those pictures. Both Sam and I thought it was hilarious! Amanda....not so much.

MMMM.....SNACK!!

Mt Rainier

Sam and I decided to take a drive up to Mt Rainier today. I just love going up there....it's so beautiful. Every time we go, we like to find a different trail to hike. I would like to have gone further up the mountain than we did today, but we got a late start. That's ok, though...we have all summer!

Sam always finds a frog to catch!

She made it!!

Yesterday we all went to the Tacoma Dome to watch Amanda graduate from Graham Kapowsin High School. My Dad and my sister, Karen, drove here from Nevada for the occasion. It was so great to see them again and to have family here to help us celebrate.

Walking in for the graduation

Graham Kapowsin Class of 2010

Waiting in line to get their diploma

It's official...here she is getting her diploma

YEAH! They made it and are happily walking out.

Grandpa, Aunt Karen and Amanda

My friends, Florci (who has known Amanda since she was in 3rd grade) and Darcey (who has know Amanda since she was 6 weeks old) and Darcey's 2 grandchilren.

Pre-Graduation happenings

Today was Amanda's last day of high school. (Everyone else gets out on the 21st.) It seems like she just was in Kindergarten. Now she's my beautiful, grown up daughter, ready to take on the world. But first, there's a couple things that need to be done. (Very important things, I might add.)

First on the list: Decorate the cars!

Looks like Sam is a little graffiti-happy. Hmm...maybe I should be worried??

Second on the list: Have a party and celebrate!

Our friend, April, made this amazing cake for Amanda. She always does such a great job!

April (holding her daughter, Sam) and Amanda. She absolutely LOVED her cake!

These 2 very special ladies have played such a huge part in our lives the past year and a half. They have shown Amanda just how special and amazing she is.

Kassie & Amanda have been friends since Kindergarten. Kassie goes to a different high school, so they haven't seen each other in a long time. It was really great to see Kassie, her mom and sister again and to have them share in Amanda's celebration.

4 years of getting up early...

Four years of getting up early paid off for Amanda this past weekend. She graduated from Seminary after 4 years of studying and hard work. Along with graduating, she also earned an extra award every year - the Stake President's Award. To earn that award, she was required to have a 90% class attendance (on time), read the scriptures 200 days out of the school year and memorize the scripture mastery scriptures (I believe there are 25 of them). She worked really hard the past 4 years to accomplish what she did. Since Seminary is before school and she had to be at the church by 5:50, it took even more dedication. I am so proud of her! Way to go Amanda!!

Japanese exchange students

This past weekend, Graham Kapowsin High School (the school Amanda attends) hosted some Japanese exchange students from Tamana High School, in Kumamoto, Japan. We enjoyed having 2 of the girls stay with us in our home. It was very interesting to learn about their culture and look at pictures of their school, home and families.

When they arrived at the high school, they were welcomed with a big banner that said "Welcome to GK".

Playing the Wii was a big hit!

When we got home with our 2 girls and they saw the bus parked next to the house, they started squealing and laughing. They told us there aren't any yellow school buses where they live. They were fascinated!

On Saturday, both bands practiced for the concert for over 3 hours and then we all met at GK for a BBQ. The weather has been raining pretty much every day for the past few months, so we were thinking we'd be eating inside. But the weather turned out to be amazing! It was sunny and warm. This is a group picture after we ate and the students played some games.

The concert was on Sunday afternoon at Pacific Lutheran University in Parkland (pretty close to where we live). When we were there on Saturday for the practice session, a man from PLU played this pipe organ for us. The sound was beyond amazing! We all just sat there completely and totally mesmerized!

Tamana High School Band. I could have listened to them play all day.

Both bands together - GK and Tamana HS

After the concert, we went back to GK for dinner & a little program.