Flying to Washington - Eli and Josh's Graduation - 2025/06/04

Time for the next stop on our summer journey! Today we're flying to Washington! 
No, not in that plane Ian and Alli. 

Just a regular Southwest airplane. 

Crazy how close those mountains are to the plane! 

I loved seeing the Tillamook playground inside the Portland airport. Good memories of visiting the factory with the family a couple years ago. 

It's definitely our favorite cheese, though unfortunately it's a West Coast thing. On the East Coast where we live, Cabot is the dominant cheese maker. 

Pop Pop was there with a car to pick us up from the airport. Thanks! 

Leaving Oregon and heading into Washington. Coming all this way, I'm glad we flew. It would have been a really long drive from Florida in the RV to get all the way out here. So, instead we're living out of suitcases for the next 2.5 months while we fly to lots of different places! 

A new cat! 

I know Jess is just a couple cats short of being a cat lady (she's up to 4 now), but this isn't one of them. It's a neighborhood cat that likes to perch on their Jeep. 

But here's a kitty. 

Ah, and this one is new. Hi Buddy! 

Ian saw Aunt Jess doing some crochet and wanted a tutorial. He ended up making a necklace of yarn. 

I love Jess and Jon's house. It's outside the city and has a little bit of "wildness" to it. I like how the bunny is hiding by a statue of a bigger bunny. 

Gram has some fun plans for the grandkids while they're here. Like going out to breakfast together and eating tasty crepes. 

Followed by a visit to the cat cafe! 

Hey! That cat is made of Lego!

Later, Pop Pop and I would take the kids to Chuck E Cheese #3 for the Summer Fun Pass. 

They've got some fun games like 2 minute drill (which really only lasts 40 seconds, despite the 2 minute countdown clock). 

One of our favorite coin pushers, the Avengers coin pusher worked for less than a day while we were here. It broke while we were there that day and never got fixed. Bummer! 

And we're good at basketball, but not that good. 45 seconds (no extra time) to hit 100 points and win the bonus? That's like sinking a shot every second plus some! I don't even know that the basketballs come back to you that quickly. That's a tough score to beat! 

Ian showing us how good he's getting at 2 minute drill. 

And Alli stepping it up. 

But Ian back on top by just 10 points! 

Time to get back to Battle Ground Washington for the graduation ceremony. 

That is a whole lot of chairs. Fortunately for us, the regular high school is letting Eli and Josh's smaller school hold their graduation ceremony here. 

All the family and friends who showed up to cheer and support them as they move forward. 

Principal Matthew Kesler welcoming us. 

And here come Eli and Josh! Smiling and happy to be done with school! 

Recognizing the members of the military in the audience. Some of the members of this graduating class will also be headed to the armed forces. 

Waiting their turn to walk across the stage. 

They did something at this graduation that I haven't seen done before and I really loved. Instead of just shuffling the students across the stage, reading their names, and giving a handshake, each student got to be introduced by a teacher of their choice. They would then talk a little bit about that student and say what their plans were going forward. I thought it was great to hear about each student and hear their aspirations. 

Congratulations Eli and good luck as you move forward in your career in aviation! 

And Josh as you continue your education in college in engineering! 

Proud of you guys. 

And of course we've got to get photos of everyone with the graduates. 

Family. 

Grandparents. 

More grandparents. 

Aunt, uncle, and cousins. 

Friends. 

And everyone who came out to support them. 

Great job Josh and Eli!