oh, for the love: Class of 2010

September will mark fifteen years since Rock and I started dating. It also marks fifteen years that I've been blessed to know our beautiful niece Madison. Madi was just getting ready to turn four when I made my way on the scene. This young girl was smart, adorable and full of sugar. I had an immediate attachment to this little one and I count her as one of the great gifts that came with marrying Rocky. In June our sweet Madi graduated from HighSchool. This young woman is smart, beautiful and still full of sugar. We couldn't be more proud of her and our girls are so fortunate to have such an amazing role model in their cousin. Madi is wise beyond her years and has a huge heart for others. She is a leader and a listener and I have no doubts she will do incredible things!

Madi's graduation was two days of fun with the family. Saturday we attended her graduation and got to hear her deliver a fantastic speech...I see politics in her future! Then we spent the afternoon at the Woods enjoying the new outdoor patio and Uncle Doug's grilling. The kids were in heaven of course and it was tough to pull them away. But there was lots of work to be finished at home as I was baking and helping with decorations for the big festivities on Sunday.

One of Madi's beautiful graduation pictures

Madi and cousin Natasha...both were just little girls in our wedding. Now both college girls!

The proud Dad Doug and Papa Wood

Madi with friends also graduating this spring

Hmmmm...not sure about this look but I think he was irritated I asked him to stop for a picture.

Stacy and Madi had the brilliant idea of renting a bounce house complete with slide and it was the hit of the party! The kids were on this almost the entire time. Maggie got such a workout taking Jo up and down, over and over again.

Stacy and Doug getting ready to toast Madi with a family tradition of tossing the plate. The story goes that if Madi catches the plate she can come home and if she didn't catch it then she was banned for a certain amount of time. I'm sure I butchered that a bit but of course we all know she would never be banned. The funnest part about the tradition was for every "great" thing Madi did she got to step closer to the plate, for every "naughty" thing she did she had to take a step back. Doug is great with a toast so he had everyone in stitches.