More convention pictures

Here are some additional photos from the convention. This one was taken after everything was over and we were all just crashing in the atrium. To tell you the truth, that was one of the best parts of the convention - just relaxing and enjoying each other's company.

Becca Johnson, one of the official convention photographers.

Jacob Barnard, working away at the recording table. This year people could order mp3 downloads of all the sessions, or they could get a CD set.

Katrina Gibert in costume!

Kellie Hedding whose brother, Lucas, is getting married this weekend. (And Jason is one of the groomsmen!)

Oh, my! Yes, that's my brother...He found this mask in one of the youth rooms and waited until somebody he knew walked by his recording station, then peered through the fence and called, "Help me, help me!"

Faith and Elli

We enjoyed introducing our friends, the Kalebaughs, to Haley and Mrs. Sisson. It's too bad we all live so far away!

Helena and I on "turquoise day". I wish we could have gotten a picture when we were both in pink!

On Saturday many of us gathered around the Moellers and lifted them up in prayer. Yes, there were a lot of tears, but the love in the room could be sensed so tangibly.

This family has been such a blessing to so many of us.

This picture makes me smile because you can hardly tell that Jason is giving Mrs. Moeller a hug good-bye; it looks like she's getting swallowed up!

I'm so glad that these wonderful people are a part of our lives!

ICHE Convention

As many of you know, last week we were at the Illinois Christian Home Educators state convention. We were blessed to be counted among the many volunteers who worked together at this event.

I'm curious to know the final total of attendees, but I do know that thousands of people filled Calvary Church in Naperville this weekend!

Faith and I had the opportunity to play before the keynote presentations each morning. I think it's ironic that for many years Mom has wanted us to be able to play at one of these conventions, and we always told her that it'd never happen!

Faith worked at some of the speakers' tables helping to sell their books. This picture was taken at Diana Waring's table.

Hmm, after some of the stories that emerged from last year's convention, we're wondering if there's a good reason why Jason was put in a "cage"....

Actually, he helped to run the sound and recording equipment in some of the rooms where work shops were held. This particular room was a youth room that was decorated to look like an alley, which explains the chain link fence.

Hmm, perhaps it is the only safe place to put him after all....

I had the priviledge of working with Helena Bluedorn in the hospitality room. The hospitality room was where we kept the snacks and drinks for the volunteers and speakers as well as where we ate our meals.

We all found it amusing how many of the women and girls wore matching outfits each day. Helena and I hadn't planned it, but we co-ordinated every day we worked together!

Mom and Dad were in charge of the Oasis this year. The Oasis was a relaxing place in the vendor hall where people could come and talk to veteran homeschoolers and find encouragement and answers to their questions.

Mom never does anything in half-measures. She spent a lot of time on these decorations!

The theme for the convention was "Anchored in Christ", hence the theme of the decor.

I think the job fit Mom and Dad perfectly - they absolutely loved talking to everyone who stopped in!

Saturday was "turquoise day"! Faith and I had planned to match since we were performing, but we had no idea that Martha Johnson would also wear the same colors!

On Friday night after the convention we had a young adult gathering where we played games and visited together.

Foose-ball....(did I spell that correctly?)

Phase Ten....

Loaded Questions....

Dominoes....

It's so nice to be able to spend time with so many old and new friends!


We were all so glad that the Moeller family could be at the convention this year. Spending time with them was such a blessing.

Mrs. Skarin is on the left, Colleen Moeller in the center and Mrs. Johnson on the right.

And no, it wasn't just "young adults" that got together. Many of the parents joined us as well.

These next pictures were taken on the last day as everything was being taken down.

Jacob, Gretchen, Becca, Haley and Kelli

I don't know who had the idea for me to doodle on name tags, but this particular one was Jason's inspiration.

What do you think- does it look like Shannon Moeller?

The results of early mornings, late nights, and hard work!

These are about all the pictures I have, but I'm sure all the other blogs will soon have more pictures posted, so I'll be swiping some from them. What a fun but tiring weekend!

Faith's Student Piano Recital

On May 25th, Faith had her seventh student piano recital. This year she decided to split the recital in half instead of doing one very long one. (Which we're all grateful for!) She now has 53 students, but not all of them were able to be there.

Jason dutifully handed out programs with the help of Zoe Zigler, a friend from church. This picture was taken before the second recital, so we had already sat through one. (Thus the expression on his face!)

The Kalebaugh girls were in both recitals since they are some of Faith's most advanced students and she wanted all of her beginner students to be able to hear them.
I love playing with hair, and Crystal likes it when I do hers for special occasions. We were a bit rushed to get it done, but their hair turned out quite lovely.

Faith usually asks one of the fathers of the students to open the recital with prayer. Darin Jones read a few verses and prayed for the opening of the second recital.

Gabrielle Lee played "Heart of Worship" and did an excellent job. Faith often stands by the students to turn their pages for them.

These are the students from the first recital.


And the second...


All of Faith's students did a great job in the recital, and I think they made their teacher proud. (She's a great teacher, by the way!)
After the last recital we took a few "posed" pictures.
Faith and Crystal...

Samantha, Molly and Tosca Waasdorp, Crystal Kalebaugh, and Faith Hemmer

Jason said that the redeeming factor to having a recital is the reception. This year, there were two! Kaleb Lee looked so cute as he enjoyed his treats. He sat there at the table eating cookies, oblivious to the fact that everyone else had gotten up already.

For those of you who know her, Crystal loves to take pictures and we're often teasing her that her camera is an extension of her arm. Since we were all dressed up, she thought it was a good excuse to go outside and snap some photos.

I always think it's fun to get some more "natural" looking shots, so I started the tickling!

I'm glad that everything turned out well, but I'm also glad that I don't have to hear the same songs practiced anymore!