Tassle's worth the Hassle

 I drafted this post on Sunday, but Blogger has been difficult for me. It hasn't been letting me upload pictures...FINALLY I could today!)

Today (SUNDAY), as a tornado warning swept over Mitchell County, IA, my little cousin Michelle graduated from high school. The ceremony was paused just towards the end so everyone could be in a tornado safe room. After a little while, the ceremony finished! I wasn't able to attend the ceremony, but we headed down there yesterday to help Michelle celebrate!

When we arrived, Michelle didn't let Charlie stay in his car seat for even a minute! I have picture after picture of all the relatives and non-relatives that held Charlie throughout the party, but I won't bore you with them.

I've posted about my cousin Hannah's amazing cake talents before, and here's the cake she made for Michelle's party! How neat is that?! (Recognize the pictures on the cake? Yup, I took her senior pictures...)

Michelle has 2 older sisters who like to give her a hard time. They've always told her she was born in China. Hannah made up a birth certificate to prove it. HILARIOUS!

As always, grad parties are full of food. Michelle's was no exception. Here's Tony, Kaylee and Meg enjoying some yummy food from the nacho/baked potato bar.

Michelle has been an incredibly involved and community oriented high schooler. These are all the scholarships she earned for college. We are all SO proud of her accomplishments. 

My Aunt Christa has made each of us cousins a quilt when we graduate from high school. Here is Michelle's. Simply beautiful. 

Whenever there's a family gathering on my side or Tony's, we seem to accumulate little helpers. Megan enjoyed helping Tony change Charlie's diapers. She rode down to IA and back with us so she could help "take care of Charlie" in the car. What a sweet little cousin!

Michelle has chosen to follow in her sisters' footsteps and attend Riverland Community College for her first 2 years of college. She will complete her generals to put her on her way to a 4 year degree in the area of social work. Choosing to do this will save Michelle a lot of money in the long run. She can still live at home and commute to campus.

Good luck Chelle!