Yard Work, Graduation, Band, and Tornados!!!

Upcott manor has been bustling with its recent activities. We did lots of spring cleanup in our yard, knowing that we were going to surprise Nathanael with an 8th grade graduation party. We raked and weeded and mowed and weed whacked and planted window boxes for three days. We finished just in time for a tornado to hit Lincoln. Downed power lines and trees were seen all over town. We were headed to Nathanael's band concert when it started. We dropped the kids off so that we could go find a parking spot and it started to rain. So, I thought it would be a good idea to go and pick up my mom so she wouldn't have to walk in the rain. We drove down the road not able to see because the rain and wind was so strong. I stopped the car right in front of her apartment, and we were stuck there while this thing blew. And, MAN, did it blow!! I know that it was probably small compared to the weather in the south recently, but we are not used to this kind of weather. The wind rocked and shifted our heavy SUV, while hail threatened to break the windshield.  It didn't last long, and we were soon headed back up to the school where we had dropped the kids off.  The power was out and trees were down. I drove through a flooded out part of the road before I realized how bad it was. So thankful for our big SUV!  Inside, we waited with half the town while the school officials debated canceling the concert or not. Once they canceled we headed out to survey the damage around town and check on some of our elderly members. Everyone was fine, and the only trees down were at the church, but they fell away from the building. So, the next day was spent doing more yard work, to get ready for our party all over again. We had to have Nate's help so the poor kid had to clean up for his own party. He was a little miffed, not realizing what all we had in store. haha. The kids had a wonderful time playing games in the back yard and stuffing themselves full of soda, pizza, and goodies. Fun, fun!

 One can't have a party without the DSi making an appearance at least once.

 The cake with both names. We had a girl from church over to celebrate too, since she was graduating too.

 Reading a card from Mama and Papa.

 Nathanael just realizing that people were gathered on the lawn, not for a yard sale like he thought, but for a graduation party for him.

In preparation for a surprise grad lawn party, the girls and I planted window boxes, so our front yard at least looked like someone cared.