Johnstown Historical Society Tea Party, May 14

Pat Kiovsky, a new Johnstonian and JHS member, put together a fun Mother-Daughter Tea at the Parish House on May 14. There were 40 guests for tea, and a wonderful speaker, Cindy Webb, talked about "Our Love of Hats." She makes and restores hats and inspires people to wear hats! It was very interesting and everybody had a good time.

Here are some of the yummy things we got to eat!

The lovely place settings and one of many beautiful tea pots used.

Here are the servers who did such a fabulous job! Linda Kirchner, Pat Kiovsky, and Beth Albertson

Pat Kiovsky and Chris Jennison

Emily Albertson and Linda Kirchner

These guests arrived so appropriately attired for the occasion that I had to snap their picture!

Here are some of the guests, most of whom were new to the Parish House, and we hope will be interested in JHS membership!


Cindy gave away this doll to a little girl who guessed her age correctly!

During her talk, Cindy explained the construction of various hats, and modeled them. Some of the hats, she put on the guests' heads--including Emily, who had a great time! After the tea was over, anyone could try on a hat.



The following pictures are not of hats, but of "fascinators" which clip on to one's hair for decoration, or can be added on to a hat.

Graduation party May 13

We planned a very simple reception for Beth and Jason since graduation came so soon after Janet's surgery (April 28). They were both content to have brownies and ice cream to serve our guests. Sixty-nine friends came to help us celebrate! Emily was in charge of keeping all the children happy--outside part of the time, so we don't have pictures of everybody who came, since Emily is our main photographer! Rowen and Jeffrey served everybody, so they weren't manning the cameras. Beth and Jason greeted everyone. I tried to get everybody to sign the guest sheet and visited.
Piles of brownies!

Table with pictures of Beth and Jason, place to sign in and put cards or gifts

Jason and Beth calmed their nerves by playing the piano together before the guests arrived.

Jeffrey serving ice cream.

Beth welcoming Jerry and Heather Esparza, Alex and Jenae

Beth greeting Hannah Campbell, Dr. Matt Brown

Some of the Mendez family

Sherolyn and Eladio Cruz

Jonathan Lucas visiting with Paul and Renee Metien

Tonya Sickler and Anna Lucas visiting. The computer was showing a slide show of pictures of Beth and Jason's lives.

Janet, Marlene Reynolds, and Regina Yancey visiting.

Ben and Marlene, Kassie and Titus--they used to be featured in our blogs about Sunday School at Federal Heights, but they live in Yoder, CO now, and we haven't seen them for so long!! So glad they were willing to drive 3 hours to celebrate with us!

Many kids and Steve Cunningham playing in the back yard.

The trampoline was kept busy.

I think this was Tag.

We were so thankful for beautiful weather after two days of constant rain!
Christy and Manoj Manohoran, Kelly Kaus, Kassie and Titus

So glad Bob and Catherine Desmond were able to come!

The Yancey boys and Alex Esparza played Jason's guitar...

Lincoln and Titus watched the slide show.

Rowen, Pastor Mike Yancey, Jeffrey, Dr. Matt Brown, Ben Reynolds, and Jonathan Lucas

Stacy McVey, Steve Cunningham, Jason, and some Lucas children playing Foosball.

Marlene Reynolds, Regina Yancey, Sherolyn Cruz, Beth, Jerry Esparza, and Pastor Mike Yancey

All of the J-M Homeschoolers and the Johnstown neighbors did not get photographed. That's what happens when Emily is in charge of all the kids--no one takes the pictures!
It was a fun evening, and we felt honored by each one's presence.

Graduation 2011

Our family has been associated with CHESS (Colorado Heritage Education School System) for nearly all of our home schooling years as our home school umbrella school. CHESS provides enrichment classes, achievement testing, support, and graduation ceremonies. This is the third time we have had students graduating in the CHESS Pageant of Wisdom ceremony. (Tim graduated up at Faith Bible School because Randy was graduating [college] there at the same time.)
This year we graduated two from high school at once. Beth graduated after 13 years of school, and Jason crammed his 13 grades into 11 years! Ever since he did Kindergarten and First Grade the same year, he has been ahead one year. Then as time went on, he was able to finish classes and do extra ones in the last four years. So he is done with all high school classes before he turns 16! But he is not finished with learning with Mother and Daddy, since he will have to have driver training at some point! He will be working at ACE Hardware saving money for college until he gets a little older.
Beth is going to stay home this next year and get a crash course in homemaking and nursing while Mother has chemotherapy.
We are proud of both of them applying themselves and being diligent about school and in our home and in ministry of various kinds.
Here are a few more pictures from the graduation evening, May 12.
The commencement speakers: David McCasland and Senator Scott Renfroe

Jason and Beth coming in the procession at the beginning of the service

Beth and Jason waiting to receive their diplomas.

Jason receiving his diploma from Mr. James Clifford
The picture of Beth receiving hers was too blurry to publish

The recessional

CHESS Graduating Class of 2011

The graduating class and the honor flag girls

Proud parents with the graduates

Emily and Beth


Jason and Lincoln Brown

Dr. Cara Brown, Lincoln, Faith, Hope, and Beth
Beth babysits for the Browns so they are like family to us!

Beth and Jason Graduated from High School

Entire Johnstown Albertson Family on Graduation Night


On Thursday, May 12, 2011 our daughter Beth and son Jason graduated from their high school studies. On Friday, May 13 we hosted a graduation reception for them at our home, and 69 friends and family members celebrated with us. We put together this slide show of Beth's and Jason's growing-up years. We hope you can take some time to reminisce with us as you view these pictures. Click on the title of this post to view slide show...

15 days post surgery report

Hi Everybody,
I am so very happy to announce that I am free of drains and stitches!!! The pulling of the drains was very painful, but I am so glad they are out. I had no idea that just inside my skin, each drain had a Y with 2 long drains that had been completely around the implant top and bottom. Rowen says they were 10 inches long, but he does tend to exaggerate a tiny bit, so maybe they were really eight inches? I am so relieved to be done with them! I have to keep on taking it really easy for at least 2 more weeks, then I can begin doing more strenuous things.

I get to have a shower today! Since I haven't had a real one for over 2 weeks, I am very excited about that too! I also get to quit taking the antibiotic from which I have been developing red spots all over my arms, legs, and tummy for the last three days. I no longer have to sleep on the incline pillow. I can sleep how I want to, except not on my tummy.

While we were out and about, we went to the oncologist's office so we would know where to go next week. Since we were there, we got to get all the paperwork done. I will see the oncologist on May 19. Her name is Dr. Ann Stroh. Please pray that the Lord will give her wisdom for exactly the best course of action for my particular case.

I cannot express how grateful I am to be prayed for by so many dear people! God has been good and faithful to me and our family and we know He will continue His goodness and faithfulness into our unknown future. That's Who He is!