Eli finished Awana! Marks the end of an era for the LaMarches

Our family has been involved with Awana since Violet was a Puggle, age 2.  That would be 2008 to 2026....total of 18 years.  Eli struggled to get through his last year - needing lots of help to complete his sections....but it's DONE.  I think David and I are more relieved than anything.  Great job kids hiding God's Word in your heart!

Eli finished his 8th grade Trek book! 

 

Eli lost his last two teeth - thanks Grandpa Jon!

Another "end of an era" post!  Eli lost his last two teeth, with Grandpa Jon's help.  Aunt Rachel insisted it was necessary for the adult teeth behind them to get these pulled - so Eli had to be brave, and let it happen.  Thanks Grandpa Jon for taking care of that on a Saturday!

I will never use my "tooth fairy" alarm again!  Sad!

 

Eli finished 8th grade basketball

Eli finished up his 8th grade basketball season - most likely his last.  He does not want to play in high school, because he thinks its too competitive.

 

First day of school pics - 2023 Aug 23

There was more eye rolling than smiling the morning I took these pics. I know they'll thank me later.

Violet - 12th grade.  SHE'S A SENIOR!

Calvin - 10th grade

Vanessa - 8th grade

Eli - 6th grade

Eli's 11th Birthday

Eli had some buddies over...Elijah Renaud, and David and Ben Lorsung. They went to The Falls. The lightning kept them out right at the start.

    

a little PS4 to end the night

Eli's 10th Birthday

 

Eli had friends over from 11am-6pm for his birthday.

The pics are posted backwards in order.  They were going to swim at The Falls but it was too cold and windy, so we opted for Get Air instead.  Left to right is Elijah Renaud, Ben Lorsung, Eli LaMarche, Brock Weikert, and David Lorsung.

Violet missed the festivities because she was at staff training at THRBC - and was/is staffing junior camp 1 and 2.  Calvin, Vanessa and Eli are going to week 2 and will see her there!

Vanessa (12th) and Eli (10th) combined birthday party

 

Mama Row gave them plants and instructions for care!

Thanks to Rachel for helping decorate a combined color cake

Eli's 8th birthday

Eli's birthday in pics!  He chose waffles, PBJs and ranch doritos, and baked oatmeal for his meals.

Eli's baked treat choice was frosted sugar cookies.  He made two of them look like a #8.

We headed to the bike ramps park for awhile...it was so so hot so we didn't stay too long.

A rainbow appeared while he opened gifts!

Eli had a joke to tell me today.  He said a statement something like "I tripped while I tried to go hug mom" and then he'd say "I took a trip to get there." 
That is his attempt at creating a play on the word trip...super cute.

Vanessa and Eli (10 and 8) combined birthday party with family

My parents, Mama Row, and Rachel and Brian came over to help us celebrate the kid's birthdays together.  It's always a fun time.  They requested cheeseburgers, Mama Row brought cheese-covered veggies, and along side we served up fruit and chips.  My friend Alex with Balm's Bakery made an incredible oreo cake.

earlier that day we went to visit A Place to Play park - which had been closed since March and just reopened June 1st because of the pandemic.  The world is beginning to reopen safely...social distancing of course!

Mama Row supplied the amazing sparkling candles!

Eli's 7th birthday

A "7" pancake!

he got some gear from Mama Row the other night at Vanessa and Eli's shared party...a compass, whistle, headlamp. He loves `em.

always a good time in the pool

mac n cheese for lunch

bubble gum!

a new umbrella from Calvin

he grew 3 inches in a year...wow!