Graduation Festivities - Part Two

Graduation - this was a bittersweet time for me.  After all, you usually make the most fuss on your first child and your last (yes, you love the ones in-between too!), but having the last child graduate makes you reflect on all the fun memories of school activities, drama and accomplishments:
No more amazing concerts to go to - whether band, orchestra, or choir - we have enjoyed having our children be a part of the HHS music program
No more last minute homework-midnight-sessions..... college - they are on their own!!
No more soccer games - we did that for 21 years
No more lunch money
No more texts asking for a special errand run or homework brought or even....a lunch hand delivered!
However, all 4 children graduated from seminary.  All four had wonderful friends who helped them thru those fun high school years and all of them had memorable and not-so-memorable teachers.

Week of Graduation started the Sunday of the Gila Valley Temple Dedication.  It was a very busy Sunday.  After attending the dedication, we went to Baccalaureate.  This was a nice program and the music was phenomenal!  The choir and orchestra did "Come Thou Font" and again, received a very emotional standing ovation.  A funny note was one of the senior speakers quoted Boyd K. Packer in his speech!

Baccalaureate ended around 4:00 and then after a quick, but yummy dinner at Grammy and Grampy's, we headed back to the Stake Center for Seminary Graduation.  This was also a nice evening.  Since this is my blog, I'm going to share an accomplishment of Aly's.  In the Seminary program, you can become a "Centurian".  To do this, you must memorize all 100 scripture mastery scriptures and then write the scripture references down in less than 10 minutes. Aly was the first to accomplish this for the 2009-2010 year.  She motivated many of her friends and at the end of the year, they had a record 108 students receive this honor.  Pretty impressive!!

(This is Aly's Bishop with those in our Ward graduating)

Graduation Commencement was Thursday evening, and it was actually a nice evening with a small breeze and no rain in sight.  Aly was one of the 'introductory' speakers and she did a great job.  This year, we did not have to wait until the "W's" were announced.  Because Aly was in the Student Government, she was one of the first whose names were read.  We stayed until the end tho because we wanted to celebrate with her on the field...and because we are such a great family!! ( hahahaha) 

(Notice the blue shoes....that is how we can spot her walking in to the stadium!!)

(best friend, Britney)

Justin and Aly

Jake and Aly

Speaking of family, we truly are blessed to have such an amazing, supportive family around us.  Graduation day was a "little hectic" for me as I was trying to finish the "Senior Album" and get everything perfect for Aly. 

 Savannah stepped in and did all the cooking and preparing of the food,  Aaron stepped in when I got overwhelmed and forgot the camcorder, Jacque lugged the camera and lenses for all the amazing pictures we have, and the support of all our family was truly heart-felt. 

A heart-felt thank you to all our family for the love and support shown to Aly at this special time in her life:  Roxanne and Dennis, LaDawn, Henry, Jeff and Leah, Mark and Yvette, Grammy and Grampy, Stephanie, Cory, Lincoln, Faye, Ashley, Dailynd, and sweet Lizzie, LaNae, Russ, Chelsey, Cassie, Clay, Carlee, Cami, and Chloe (after all - it was at their house!) and lastly, my wonderful family for coming, helping, supporting and being there for Aly on this special day!!  Thank you for all coming!  Thanks to all for the special cards and gifts!  We are truly blessed!