Erica age 18

30 Days of Erica age 18

This was a big year for her.  Her birthday is in January so she was halfway through her Sr year.  We wanted to surprise her BIG for her 18th so Larry and I came up with planning a surprise get-away to the Mall of America in Minnesota.  We told her that she needed to pack her bag for cold weather with alot of warm clothes and that we would fly out after school.  After we got on the plane we told her where she was going.  She was so EXCITED.  We gave her a cash to use for shopping at the mall.
She had a blast and I think we looked in every store there.  I especially loved the indoor roller coaster.  haha
We stayed in a hotel that provided shuttle transports to and from the Mall...which was perfect for us.  And.....there was snow everywhere but the City was business as usual.  No shutting down for a little snow.  I was grateful for that since we came here to be at the Mall.   We didn't plan on weather detaining us....and it didn't.

Here is a shot of all of her GOODIES she found.  We brought an extra luggage bag for her to bring home her loot.

Of course....we still had a family party for her too at Macaroni Grille.

Her Sr year was so much fun for me to watch her and be with her.  I think she enjoyed it too....every busy minute of it.  Her last Prom of her High School career was a fun one.  So glad Alan was able to go with  her.

As with many things you participate in, they usually come to an end during your Sr year.  Erica had taken voice lessons for quite awhile with Susan Land.  She and Susan became good friends...more than just a teacher and student.  Erica learned alot and developed vocally under Susan's teaching.  At the recital the Sr Girls did a song together that was a fun song complete with choreography.  Susan made learning  fun for her students.

This is Erica and Susan on recital night.  2004

At ECS...and maybe all high schools....there is a tradition that the MOMS of Seniors come to the campus and decorate their child's vehicle on their last day of school.  You know that I would definitely be a part of that tradition.  Keith was NOT a big fan of that and let me know it too.  He immediately left school and washed his off.  Erica, on the other hand, embraced her car decor and proudly drove around with it for awhile.

And now we are at Graduation.....How did this happen?  We were so proud of her and what she had accomplished.  I really think she had a fun 4 years of High School.  Graduation was at Germantown Baptist Church that year.  We really enjoyed it being close to home....esp since we were having a post Graduation party for her at our house.

 Larry and Erica before Graduation

Erica.....the 2004 Graduate

We are a wave runner family and this particular summer we tried to go to the lake as much as possible.  We went to Sardis/BaySprings/Greers Ferry Lake and this small one called Grand Valley Lakes just outside of Bolivar.  We wanted as much time with her as possible, since after the SR year....kids seem to leave home.

This was at Grand Valley Lakes.  We usually played there and then went to visit Larry's mom and dad since they live down the street.