Sweet Sixteen

Alyssa turned 16 on August 16th. On the morning of her birthday, she went driving with her driver's ed instructor for their last session. He then took her over to the registry office to take her road test. She passed the test and now has her driver's license! Congratulations!

In the afternoon and evening was her 16th birthday party. Her friend (and 3rd cousin) Teesha Olson turned 16 on August 15th, so they did a combined party. They invited a bunch of kids to Wally's beach. We brought our boat and a few snacks and the birthday cake and Olsons brought the meal and cupcakes. It turned out to be a very warm and very windy day. The wind was bad enough that the lake had lots of whitecapped waves. So we didn't do too much boating. However, I think the kids still had a great time.

At one point, Austin Bennett connected the tube rope to his kayak. About ten kids piled on the tube and others along side and Austin pulled them out a long ways over to a peninsula.

It was fun for me to be around the kids and get to know them a little. Alyssa said we did good and didn't embarrass her too much.

Some of the boys showed up with big shovels and a tarp. They dug a big hole, put the tarp over it and filled it with water. I think they intended to create a hot tub.

Alyssa and her friend Megan Anderson double skiied in whitecaps. 

The birthday girls. The cake is a beach scene with gummi bears floating in water in peach rings and other gummi bears laying on towels on the beach.

All the kids that came to the party. What a good looking bunch! A few good friends couldn't be there since they were on holiday, but it was still a good turnout.

Gathered around playing games.

Cool picture, right?