May days with performances and field trips

My friend, Jennifer, moved out to the beach.  She lives right across from Hampton in a brand new apartment, and it's just beautiful.

Our recipe group decided to go out and visit for our meetup yesterday.  So nice to see where she is and enjoy the views, friends and great food!

Mother's Day on Sunday was nice and relaxing . C.C. gave a great talk in Relief Society on President Nelson's talk about Peacemakers and how Mother's are charged to be peacemakers in their families.

We had the privilege of being invited to a graduation party for Scott's student, Matt, and celebrating with his friends and family

They have a beautiful situation on Marblehead, and the kids had a great time in their garden, playing all their lawn games.  They even had ping pong.

Aaron said "This is the best party we've ever been to!"

We got to spend 2 days with our dear friends, Karen and Dennis Della Corte!

Dennis came out for a conference in Boston and brought Karen and two of their 4 kids along to visit!

We went canoeing and turtle seeking at Robinson Pond.

At first, the pond looked too windy for canoes, but thankfully, the wind died down just in time for us to have a great time!

Scott was a hero to load up all the boats.  Scott and the boys inflated all the kayaks.  

It's certainly a lot of work to get enough boats for a group.  Thank you Scotty!

On Friday, Scott attended graduation at UMass Lowell.

The Stapleton kids were in school and piano lessons.

I got to spend the day in Boston with the Della Corte's.  We did a tour of the public garden and Boston Common and the lower half of the freedom trail, as well as a Duck Tour!

Ollie is hitting swim lessons hard this month, going twice weekly.  

I'm really hoping that he'll be swimming without floaties by the end of this year.  He's working hard!

Ollie made a nice "Ollie Scott" sign on Scott's dirty car.  I thought it was soooo funny to see Scott pull out for work with it on his car! hahaha   Nice job spelling Ollie!

Mom Fail - I still haven't bought school pictures for this year, but thankfully, they just sent home a class photo.  At least we have that. Here you go! :)

Nearly every Sunday, Scott makes a trip to the bank with one other bishopric member to deposit tithing donations from church.  They have to go in two's and they have to do it immediately after church for safety of the funds. 

It's a little thing, but I thought worth journaling.  I'm grateful for the service that Scott gives to our church and congregation.

Plus, to a stranger, they might think some guys in suits going to a bank on Sunday with a bunch of kids in the cars, and chatting in the parking lot perhaps looks oddly suspicious.  Mafia?  Drug deal?  Trafficking?   For your info.....just a tithing deposit. :)

Tim enjoyed the Cinco de Mayo Stake Dance in Lynnfield with his buddy Jack

Aaron was invited to a prestigious festival for 8th graders.  You had to be invited to attend.  He was one of just a handful of students invited from his school.  They did an amazing job!

Aaron had a solo at the beginning on the second song on bells.  He started the song and ended the song completely solo.  We're very proud.

Aaron went on an epic trip to PA with his 8th grade class.

He came home with lots of fun pictures of his friends. :)

And a few pictures of the things he saw.....

Gettysburg was a big highlight of the trip

A soldiers tent from the Civil War

A painting from the Civil War depicted what happened in great detail.  

It's had additions of lighting to make it a dramatic retelling, almost like a movie, but it's a still painting that fills an entire room...round with no seams visible.

Cora also got a field trip in our town of Windham!   She got to tour the town hall, records office, the Searles Castle, the Fire department, and finally, Letizio Tower and Enterprises.

One of the presidential candidates will be speaking from this stage this month.  The kids felt very special getting to be there and getting served fried ice cream from Al Letizio himself.

Al's son is in Cora's class at school, so we felt like we got some special privileges having more time with Al.   He runs a very nice business and has contributed a lot to our town.

They make a delicious fried ice cream!