19-24 Jul 2022 - Awesome Time at Daughter Michelle's

 25 Jul

Left to right, Joe Ervin, Hailee Schellhase, Lucas Buehner, Jon Ervin, Addison Gross, Avery Gross, Lindsey Buehner, Daniel Schellhase, Drew Gross and Calvin Schellhase

The graduate, Joe Ervin, celebrating the big day!

These pictures pretty much sum it up!  These are our grand children, oldest (Joe Ervin and the graduate) on the left to the youngest (Calvin Schellhase) on the right plus Doreen's sister's grandchildren.  Doreen and I were at the Racine Campground  19-24 Jul, this week,  for our oldest grandson Joe Ervin's high school graduation party.  The actual ceremony was held in June but they postponed the party until Saturday 23 July.  Joe's parents are our oldest daughter Michelle, her husband Keith.  

All of our family attended, pictured above, plus many of Michelle and Keith's friends, co-workers and Joe's friends.  Our daughter Jennifer with her family drove over from Battle Creek MI. and our son Dan and his family drove up from Ankeny IA.  Doreen's niece Melanie and her family drove up from Winterset IA. Our nephew Mike McDermott drove up from Atlantic IA.   Doreen and I drove here from Madison WI, stop#  19 on our 2022 adventures.

Our campsite at Racine

So I took a break from the blog this week because we were busy traveling between Racine and Michelle's, and helping Michelle prepare for the big celebration.  Along with that I helped Michelle's husband Keith do a few projects both at their house and their RV.  

One of the preparations was to erect a 20 ft x 30 ft tent for the big party!

The girls worked in a mani-pedi appointment during the week!  

Keith smoked the pork and chicken for the big event plus the mac and cheese (my favorite)!! This is one of the two smokers he has.

In the RV we modified the original design to maximize the airflow into the multipurpose room 

We also helped to finish their bathroom remodel project, hauled a load to their dump and power washed their driveway in preparation for the party!

Friday night before the party our kids started to roll in and we had a pizza party in the hotel lobby.

On Saturday the party commenced and there was a great turnout.  The weather help out for a while, and then the rain came!  Thank goodness for the tent!

Doreen's salsa for the party!

Party animal!

Cousins Hailee, Lindsey and Addy

Some Jenga being played!

Son Danno with Hailee and Joe in the background

Doreen with Mike McDermott, our nephew

Hailee and Joe's girlfriend Kate.

Serious bag's player!

Schellhase family gathering

Brownies, chips and salads

Some adult beverages available

Joe ;loading up on the smoked pork, chicken and mac & cheese

Our three children Michelle, Dan and Jennifer 

Sunday we helped them tear down, clean-up and get ready to depart.  It was a great week and we are so glad we were able to attend.!

We are so proud of Joe.  He took an interest in carpentry during a high school class, and is currently enrolled in a carpenter apprenticeship which pays a wage and includes instruction.    We are looking forward to seeing him progress!