A Graduation - Part 1

This last Thursday, Abigail closed a chapter of her life and opened the pages of a new chapter. To her, high school must have seemed a very long chapter, but I'm sure to our parents it was more like a moment. We are all so proud of her, she has put in countless hours -- especially in math -- and we all know how excited she is to be finished.

She was also excited that Laura gave her a shark balloon as a present, instead of the typical graduation balloon...and doesn't he look like the happiest shark? After we took this picture we may have gone outside and acted out some silly songs with him. After all, how often do you get to play with a shark balloon?

Our parents are throwing a huge soiree in celebration of Abby's accomplishment, and everyone has been in a tizzy trying to prepare! With so many friends and family invited, horderves must be made, the house must be cleaned, and the best part...flowers must be gathered!

But first...We need to lace up Abby's corset.

The whole family gathered together and walked down to the tide flats, 

and we were met with the most glorious sights:

I don't know about you, but we were awe-struck by the beauty of the mountains and the wild lupin, we even started singing "The hills are alive, with the sound of music..."!

Greta particularly loves the tide flats now that the thick sea grasses are much taller than her. She can hop around like the little bunny foofoo Dad calls her and burrow in the mini forest. 

When we got back to the house, our baskets were overflowing with lupin!

Do you see those chocolate lilies sneakily hiding in my basket? Yes, I know I said I would never ever put them in my bouquets, but mom wanted some in hers. 

And don't worry, she'll be putting those bouquets outside the house. 

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The flowers down on the flats were lovely, but mom had recently gone on a hike up the mountains, and the heather and other wildflowers up there were also in full bloom!

Thankfully, we didn't have to hike to find the flowers. A quick three minute car ride had us up at our local ski area where pink heather abounded:

The best part part about being in the mountains was the sunset:

By the time we got back to the house, it was past bedtime. Buckets of flowers were set on the front porch, waiting patiently to be made into lovely arrangements. Little did we know what excitement was coming...

As the last rays of light were illuminating the yard, Melissa went out to water her flower beds, meanwhile, Quinn was in our little kitchen doing the last few dishes from the day. As I sat quietly upstairs, I suddenly heard a loud gasp, and a frantic Quinn started banging on the window! He was yelling: "Mom! Get inside! Get inside NOW!" She looked up from her watering confused, but seeing the look on his face understood that something was wrong. She jumped up on the porch and opened the door. 

By this time I was running downstairs only to see the biggest black bear standing upright in the driveway! He was standing with his giant paws on the trashcan -- which was still out from a day of cleaning the yard -- and he was taller than the car he was standing next to! Quinn ran outside and grabbed the BB gun from the front porch (kept there for bears and any likely boyfriends who come calling) and started firing at the bear. After a hit in the head, the bear galumphed off (looking quite sad he didn't get his dinner), and Quinn -- the hero of the evening -- put the trashcan inside the house.

A very exciting end to a wonderful day, wouldn't you agree?

Hopefully Mr. Big Black Bear wont be back anytime soon, 

especially to Abigail's graduation party! 

He was not invited!

"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever."

Isaiah 40:8