Celebrating Cousin Karen's Graduation!!

This past weekend found us on the road to northwestern Kansas to attend Mandy Rose's cousin's graduation. We always enjoy visiting this branch of the family and this weekend was no exception.

Saturday began with preparations for the party! Food was being cooked, tents erected, and Mandy Rose took on the chore of gathering pine cones from the yard (her idea!) It kept her very busy!

She almost filled this tote with pinecones! Of course, later in the day, she and some other kids scattered them all around the yard again! Should make for some fun mowing for Uncle Rich! Our next chore was to sweep the patio. Mandy Rose "helped" alot! I would sweep the pile one direction and she swept it the other! Eventually, we got the job done.

We are ready to party!!

Mandy Rose loves her cousin Karen! They have such fun together! Aren't they both such beautiful girls?

Karen had to have a picture with Delilah too! She thought she was such a cute puppy!

Waiting for graduation to start!

Kisses for Momma! We managed to keep Mandy Rose entertained until the graduation started. Then "Pomp & Circumstance" began to be played and the graduates filed in. Mandy Rose was standing on a chair next to me. When I turned around to check on her, I saw her swaying with eyes drifting shut! Graduation was right in the middle of nap time! Soooo.......

......this is how she spent the entire ceremony! And, yes, she does sleep with her eyes open!

Awake again and ready for the fun to begin! She was fascinated with the chocolate fountain! She tried strawberries, grapes, pretzels, marshmallows, and pineapple covered with the yummy stuff!

Uncle Rich and Aunt Judy have a ferret that the kids brought out into the yard. Mandy Rose and Delilah are mesmerized by the ferret! I really think Delilah was even more so!!

Mandy Rose got to spend quite a bit of time with another beauty from China, Elle T! They are just 9 months apart in age, but quite different in size! They played soccer, fed the dogs, played hide and go seek, and snuck marshmallows for several hours!!

This is Elle's brother, Alex, who is also Karen's boyfriend. He is soooo good with the kids! He played soccer with them for quite awhile!

There were lots of kids to play with!

Mandy Rose was tickling Karen telling her, "It has to be done!" This is the phrase that Uncle Rich uses when he tickles the kids and Mandy Rose picked up on it! It took 3 tries to get this picture! Karen accused me of taking my time so Mandy Rose could tickle her even more!!! All too soon, the weekend came to an end! We had so much fun! Karen has grown into such a lovely, bright, funny, sweet woman!