Dakota's Graduation

Dakota's graduation was on Saturday, May 16 2009. It was held on the fairgrounds, in the Matthewson Center. Here is a picture of Cory [R] and her friend Carrie waiting for the ceremonies to begin.
The next afternoon, there was a picnic at Bothwell State Park for family and friends to celebrate with Dakota.

Here is a pic of the banner Cory had made so friends and family would know this was the place for Dakota's Party. Cory's stepdad Jim, and family friend Earline [aka Mamaw] are included in the pic, too.
A shot of the cake, displayed with Dakota's senior pictures and his diploma.

Here he is opening presents. There are pics from his school days, and some of his awards displayed on the table. Cory found some 'music' decorations to hang from the rafters in the picnic shelter.

Reading through cards from friends and family.

The day was sunny, warm, and with just a slight breeze. So different from the day before at Rob's celebration.

These cousins were born just 24 days apart. Dakota's b-day is the 4th of April, and Rob's is the 28th. Proud of both of them!

Robbie's Graduation

Finally able [with my new computer] to get some pictures up! Here are some that were taken at Rob's graduation[Friday night May 15,2009] and party.

This one was taken at the school right after the graduation. The room is Valerie's classroom. She teaches FACS- Family and Consumer Science-[we used to call it Home Ec!]. From the left, it is Danielle, Valerie, Rob [all 6 foot 9 of him!] looking over his diploma and awards.

Here he is with Papaw Ron and Nana Judy.And here he is with Papa Jim and Nana Janet Clark [He always called her Nana Fay!]

The next day[Saturday, May 16], there was a picnic celebration at Valerie's house . It turned out to be windy, cool ,and damp. So most of us ate inside. We had a buffet of salads [Val made] and Subway sandwiches, and Cake, too, of course! This pic was taken at the side of the house--out of the wind!

This shot was taken in the kitchen before we ate. Some of Robbies friends are in this pic, but the guy on the extreme right is Dakota. His graduation was that evening in Sedalia.

Graduation Time!!

Two of our grandsons graduated from high school this past weekend.

Robert ["Rob", Karls's boy] graduated from Lakeland high school in Lowry City on Friday night in the school gym. There were 43 graduates in the class. This is the school where Valerie [Rob's Mom] teaches. It is in a rural area in the Southwest area of Missouri. Rob attended here his junior and senior years and seems to have made quite a few friends in that time. He has been accepted at the University of Central Missouri [Warrensburg] and expects to attend there this fall. On Saturday morning we drove back down to their house and went to his graduation celebration with family from his Mom's and Dad's side, and several friends. Karl was able to be here and be involved! It was great to be there and enjoy this time with Rob.


Dakota[Kevin's youngest!] graduated from Smith-Cotton high school in Sedalia on Saturday night. The graduation was held in the Mathewson building on the State Fair grounds [Has been for several years!]. There were probably 300 +/- graduates. Dakota has been accepted at Missouri Southern University in Joplin Missouri. [This is the same university that his brother Dillon has gone to for the past 2 years. Dillon will NOT be going back this next semester. He plans to work this summer and fall and hopefully go to a "tech" school at the first of the year.] Sunday afternoon we had a weiner roast and celebration for Dakota at Bothwell State Park north of Sedalia. The day was a little cool, but it was great to be with 'family' from both Kevin and Cory's family and several friends of Dakota's, too.

Now we have seen the first 4 of our grandkids graduate from high school. Thankfully, it will be about 4 years before the next one---Jacob!!
Naw, its too early to even THINK about that, yet!!!