My birthday dinner

My birthday was Wednesday (18th) but since Savanna had dance, Matt had class and Ryan had work we decided to have my dinner this evening. Ryan gets off work early on Sundays so it was a good time.

Mom made my angel food cake and Brad made the chili and put together the enchiladas while Mom made the chalupas. It is my favorite meal, Rucker enchiladas/chalupas and angel food cake. It was every bit as good as I thought it would be. Check out my stylish clothes! Taking off those 46 candles was hard work, Savanna was anxious for that cake!

Savanna's Senior Recital

Savanna performed in her senior recital yesterday and per usual did a beautiful job. Her studio owner/teacher certainly makes the seniors feel special. Savanna's specialty is tap so during the group tap dance she started it out with a small solo before the other girls began tapping with her, it was a pretty cool dance too. Linda, one of the other seniors, had a special part in the jazz dance because her specialty is jazz. Both Savanna and Linda danced their solos flawlessly, they were great! During awards Savanna was recognized for being a teacher and also received her 5 year award for dancing at that studio. Due to the fact that we are military and move a lot she had never received an award for staying at one studio for that long. She and the other seniors also received shadow boxes with mementos from their dancing years (secretly provided by their moms). Savanna had her second pair of ballet shoes (her first pair had been painted gold for her 1st recital performance) and her picture from her first recital. They added one of her senior pictures to it also, it is very nice. I'll add some "action" shots later this is all I have processed at the moment.

Savanna received lots of flowers. Grandmother had a dozen roses delivered on Friday and they were beautiful. Then Brooke stopped by Saturday morning with more flowers for her. She couldn't make it to the performance due to her graduation party being on the same day, but she wanted to see her and tell her to "break a leg". Then at recital she received a bouqet from her Granny, Mom and Dad and each of the boys had a rose for her. This was the first recital that Granny came to and we enjoyed having her with us. Savanna's small group leader Cherral and her husband were also there.

Graduation Open House

We had an Open House for Savanna on Sunday the 15th. It really was a celebration for me, I'm done home schooling! We really enjoyed seeing every one and had a great time.

Savanna's graduation

Savanna is officially out of high school now. She finished up her work at the end of May and has been attending Tidewater Community College since last September, but the last formality of high school has been accomplished. The graduation ceremony was held yesterday morning at Kempsville Presbyterian Church. Through a miracle of God her Daddy was able to fly in to celebrate with us. Granny also flew in from TN. The ceremony was nice, Brad had a hard time keeping it together in order to do his part, Savanna and I were doing okay until he started talking about the miracle that brought him from the middle of the Pacific Ocean to being at her graduation, we lost it and then he about lost it. We are proud of her and all our kids, and I am done with home schooling - WHOO HOO!!

Brooke's graduation

Brooke Lowman graduated with honors from Deep Creek High School yesterday afternoon. Brad flew in on Thursday morning and he, Savanna and I attended the ceremony. It was a very nice, short (hence the very nice) :-) ceremony. Dave was able to fly in as well, he is presently working out of town in Washington state so it was a very special thing that both the "daddies" were there. Savanna graduates tomorrow - I can't believe it!

Stephanie and Danny

Jessica's wedding

I had the privilege of being the photographer for my niece Jessica and her new husband, John. I am only posting a couple of pictures because she is on her honeymoon and I don't want to post them before she sees them. However, I don't think she will mind my posting these three. The first one is of the Rucker grandkids. It was the first time in a very long time that they were all together so of course we had to have a picture. The other two are of Sam and Claire all dressed up to do their wedding duties. Jess was a beautiful bride, absolutely exquisite, when I get her permission I will definitely post one of her wedding pictures.