Friends are Friends Forever

Let me just start by saying...what in the world is up with this heat wave???!!!  I was really enjoying my mild 80 degree summer days, and then all of a sudden it's hotter than hell's kitchen in here!  109 degrees is no friend of mine!  So, what better way to spend our day than at the pool with some super special friends!

Chan & his best bud Jonathan

Chandler has been waiting all week for Friday to come because he knew on Friday he would get to go swimming with his best friend Jon.  These two have been friends since they were in diapers, and boy are they a whole big bunch of rotten!  Jon's mom and I taught together for the past four years and the boys have grown up together in daycare.  Although this past year they didn't get to spend as much time together since Chan went on to Pre-K, they still kept their "best-budness" in tact!

Sadly, our sweet friends are starting a new adventure next week as they move to a new town...in Georgia!  We will miss them so much, but I am happy for their new beginning and wish them nothing but the very best!  So, we decided to have one last hoorah today with them before they take off.  (We left Liam with Nana...he's not such a fan of the whole being in cold water thing.)  Watching them play today, I got to thinking about the memories of our boys over the past few years.  Here are just a few:

All started here!  EPE TLC 2008, with sweet girl Ellie (who swam with us today, too!)

Celebrating Valentine's Day: Callie, Ellie, Jon, Chan, and sweet Ava, February 2010

Planting Ava's tree, May 2010

Swinging together, May 2010

Shootin' some hoops, May 2010

Going for a ride, May 2010

Making an escape!  May 2010

At the zoo to see Ava's new bench: Miss Misty, Ellie, Jon, & Chan, June 2010

Playing with trains, September 2010

Trick-or-treating at school, October 2010

Discovering things at The Discovery Center for Jon's birthday, February 2011

Watching balloons that they sent to Ava, March 2011

Ava's Run for a Reason, April 2011

Playing at Pump It Up for Chan's bday, September 2011

Cowboys & Indians for buddy Maddox's birthday, November 2011 (a Wendy Hardin shot)

2nd Ava's Run for a Reason, April 2012 (another Wendy Hardin shot)

TLC's end of year celebration, May 2012

Taking a snack break from swimming, June 2012

They've had many escapades together, and our families have become great friends, too!  Cannot believe that it has been four years since I had Jon's big sister in kindergarten!  She lit up each day in our classroom with her beautiful singing...I have a Pandora charm from her on my bracelet of a bird, because she was my little "songbird" that year.  And of course, Laura has been not only a great co-worker, but a wonderful friend!

Jon's sweet sis Kaitlin & Mrs. Koehn, August 2009

Laura & I, GNO, July 2010

I am so glad that we all have so many memories with each other and pray that we will get to make new ones even though there will be many miles separating us.  We wish you the best on your move, sweet friends!  Love you so, so much!

"A friends is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be."

~Douglas Pagels~

Till next week friends!

Brittany :)

P.S.- Happy Birthday, Laura!!!