Happy Graduation to Ben!!!

This past weekend, we made a whirlwind trip to Freeport, IL for Andy's brother Ben's high school graduation. A week before graduation, Ben qualified for State Track, so we didn't attend the actual graduation ceremony since he was running/jumping at the track meet....but rather, had fun hanging out with the family and being at Ben's graduation party on Sunday afternoon.

The above middle photo is Ben--here is a snippet of what Andy's Dad wrote about Ben in a recent email: "His name was Marc Kensonn Moise and he was so shy he hardly spoke a word. He was malnourished, very short for his age, and had ricketts in his knees so it was hard for him to walk up stairs. He got so attached to me that when he came to the US to live with us, he would crawl under my desk and fall asleep at my feet while I was working.

At seven years old he didn’t know how to hold a pencil. And now Benjamin Marc Glynn is a champion in football, wrestling, and track. And he’s graduating from high school this weekend and getting ready to go to University of Wisconsin/Platteville in the fall."

Anyone who meets Ben LOVES him...he has such a loving, huge, tender heart and he is always willing to help out doing WHATEVER. The joke is that when they come to visit us, Andy always puts the boys to work... "OH, thanks for visiting...would you help us re-mulch our yard?!" and he ALWAYS says "SURE!" with a smile! It was special to celebrate with Ben this weekend--we remember when he was adopted and it has been fun seeing him grow up.

As you can see, the girls REALLY enjoyed trying on Uncle Ben's graduation hat. Colin? Not so much...

As always, click on the invidual collages if you want to see the photos bigger!

This picture is: 1) the girls playing DS together in the morning; 2) all of the girls in the swimming pool; 3) The "Glynn" family with Ben; 4) Ava swimming on Jimmy's back; 4) Ava and Grandma; 5) The 2 Andy's chopping green peppers for the party.

Ellie loved swimming at Grandma and Grandpa's house...and REALLY loved the gift that Uncle Jimmy gave her---3 swimming caps! Jimmy showed her how to put on the caps, how to tuck her long long long hair into it and she was so excited about these caps....that she took them for show and tell to school! :)

Jayna ALSO loved swimming in the pool....and this year, she was a self sufficient swimmer! No more floaties/life jacket for Jayna! She loved the diving board and enjoyed her and Ellie's 1st ever "night swim"...shhhh...don't tell Ava....Ava went to bed early and the big kids got to swim later! Jayna also discovered that Aunt Rachel has a JETTA car....and Jayna's dear friend at school is Jetta....so we HAD to get a picture of Jayna by the Jetta car!

AVA. Need we say more? Sweet Ava....she was a big helper this trip--she helped Andy's mom cut watermelon! She loved the pool as well, and this year, as long as she had on her floatie suit, she had free reign of the pool! Much different than last year when she was scared to not be in our arms! Swimming lessons have paid off! :) The bottom picture is of Ava and cousin Abby walking in the driveway, holding hands. I had told them "walk slowly toward Jayna"....and I snapped the picture. However, the girls kept walking because Jayna kept rollerblading farther and farther away! Pretty soon, the girls were almost at the street....still holding hands, still walking slow! :)
And Colin! We love the middle "Mr. Serious-pants" picture. THAT was his demeanor when he woke up from his nap and had to be social with all of the relatives. He was NOT happy to be posing for a picture with Ben--I think he was nervous we were going to put that graduation hat on him again!

Amazingly enough, Colin did SUPER on this trip. We've NEVER been able to say that about Colin and traveling. He didn't cry much in the car, he was semi-social with everyone....and the best? He slept ALL NIGHT LONG in the pack n play...something he has never done before on a trip. I think Colin will do just fine on all of our little road-trips this summer!

All in all, it was a wonderful trip...and now we're gearing up for the next visit...this time, we'll be going to Minnesota!