Jordan's first day of kindergarten

We just put Jordan on the bus for his first day of kindergarten.  I think he was a little excited because he woke up at 3 and had a hard time going back to sleep.  He helped me make his lunch, we packed up his backpack and off we headed to the bus.

 Our neighbor Colton said he would watch out for him and help him on his first day.

A little part of me wanted to shed a tear, but how could I when this is the last thing I saw?  Does he look excited or what?

Our "Marianne" day

When Jordan saw these pictures he asked if they were from our special Marianne day, so that's what I'm going to call them, but as you can see from the pictures, Marianne is the only one missing from them.  As her health is declining, we wanted to get together to have one last hurrah to take pictures and just be together.  At the last minute, she was unable to come after all.  It was a very bittersweet day.  On the one hand, it was fun to be with family and watch the cousins play together, but on the other hand, Marianne's absence was a huge void and we all missed her so much.  I guess we just got a taste of what our future gatherings will be like when she is no longer with us....at least for a little while, because this I know...       

 OUR FAMILY WILL BE TOGETHER FOREVER!!!!