Just stuff while Kiersten graduates

 I usually don't like to post pictures of myself because I don't like them, but this one turned out pretty good. It was a little muggy and hot the night of Kiersten's graduation, but there was a slight breeze that made it bearable. My hair only fell a little bit. :) Scott and I did not coordinate our outfits, so we ended up wearing the same color. He had left early with Kiersten to save seats in the stands for the rest of the family.

        Didn't know Travis was going to snap the picture, obviously.

 This was a sweet picture....just a boy wanting to be involved in whatever Dad was doing. Scott was trying to video record the graduates leaving the field and Canon wanted to be a part of it. Canon has gotten into the habit of leaving his church clothes on every Sunday until Scott gets home. He's asked to go to meetings with Scott so they can spend more time together. Scott got the hint and makes it a point to involve Canon in whatever he's doing on Saturday so his absence on Sunday isn't as big a sacrifice. One Saturday, after Scott had asked Canon if it had been a good day since they'd done everything together, Canon said, "Yeah, it's been a good day. But you should really spend some time with Mom too." I couldn't agree with you more, Buddy. :)

Rylee had a few of her friends in the crowd to support and cheer for Kiersten. Tonya (tongue sticking out in the background) is a member of their laurel class.

Rylee's Prom 2016

 The Greenfield Stake has been renting out the Barney Sports Complex for several years to provide a "mormon" Prom for those youth who don't want to have to worry about questionable music, dancing or attire. It's a little far for those of us in Maricopa, but we don't have a big enough group of dating youth to put on an event like this. So we'll happily drive the distance and let someone else set it up and clean it up. :)

 This is Rylee and her friend, Katie, waiting for their dinner reservations at Oregano's. They've been good friends since 4th grade, and even though Katie goes to a different high school now, they still keep in touch and hang out every now and then.

A little swing dancing before dinner to work up a healthy appetite. :)

                                       Mmmmmmm!! Italian food.

 Group pictures. This was a pretty good group of kids. They all wanted to do stuff together, but not everyone could agree on which restaurant to eat at and the timing of the activities. So they ended up splitting in half for everything except the pictures.

 Dad looks a little possessed here. He just wanted Caleb to know there was a hard curfew and his precious needed to be treated as such. :)

 Rylee made a good effort to get the boutonniere on by herself, but in the end, she asked for my help and Caleb breathed a sigh of relief. We made the boutonniere ourselves and it ended up matching her corsage really well because they both had diamonds for decoration and royal blue ribbon. 
Rylee was a little frustrated with her hair and makeup. I was downstairs wrestling with the boutonniere and couldn't help. But it didn't ruin the night. Just the pictures. ;P

Katie's mom made Rylee's dress. She bought the fabric for Katie in case the dress they ordered didn't come on time. When the ordered dress came, she asked if Rylee wanted a custom made dress. It turned out really nice. There is a sheer black ruffle underneath the blue ruffle that made it so unique. I think Rylee felt very pretty in that dress.

Raegan's 6th grade orchestra concert

 Raegan has been playing the violin for 3 years now. She is starting to understand the benefit of practicing. She admitted that she has a lot more fun playing when she's knows the notes and can keep up with the conductor. :)She has worked harder this year on her tone, finger positions, staying on key and proper concert position. If she can keep it up, she'll be a wonderful musician.

 She was invited, along with a few other advanced orchestra students, to play with the Jr High orchestra because their numbers are low. She practiced the song they were going to perform, but when it came down to it, she didn't feel confident enough to play it for everyone. She did sign up for orchestra, though, as one of her electives for 7th grade.

Raegan received the award for most consistent practicing. Mrs. Montez only gave out one and the honor came with a little trophy. Raegan was surprised to receive it, but I think you can tell from the look on her face that she was pleasantly surprised.

Rylee's Art Walk

 Rylee had one of her Graphic Design projects selected for the Maricopa Unified School District Art Walk. She had to take a photograph she liked, change the filter to include colors she liked and cut it apart to make a kaleidoscope. She also designed a poster for a runway event that was chosen to advertise for the event. I just didn't get a picture of that. She didn't think it was a big deal, so she didn't tell me about it in time. Silly girl. Things like this impress me. I always want pictures of what my kids create or accomplish!

Kiersten's graduation May 19, 2016

 Pictures before the graduation ceremony started. These are the seniors from orchestra that Kiersten had so much fun making music with.

 Kiersten was honored 3 times at the end of the year awards ceremony. She received recognition for Academic Achievement, the National Orchestra Award (only one awarded per high school),  and "Promise for the Future" which is a 2 yr. scholarship to the local community college.

 Pomp and Circumstance. You can see her orchestra medallion catching the light as she walks.

 We yelled really loud for her throughout the ceremony. I think Uncle Mickey was the loudest. He did a great job of embarrassing her. I asked Scott a few days before graduation, "Should we get a blow horn and really make her turn red?" He said, "Please.... what can a blow horn do that Uncle Mickey can't?"

 Kiersten sat between 2 really tall boys. I wish we could have seen her move her tassel to the left side, but the most we caught was an elbow or a hand. See those tall boys in the middle row? She's lost somewhere between them.

                                             Yep, she's the short one. :)

Kiersten wore a gold stole for her membership in NHS, her National Orchestra medallion, the gold braid for her 40 hours of service in NHS and the silver braid for being in the top 15% of her class. The honors she wore probably weighed more than she did. :)

Kiersten's senior pictures

 

 

 I had to fight her for every shot!! She just doesn't like being in the picture...she'd much rather be behind the lens.

Raegan's birthday and first temple trip!!

 We thought it would be cool to go to the temple for Raegan's 12th birthday. Aubree was visiting, so it would be an awesome experience for Raegan to be there with her older sisters to help her through the process. Everyone got to miss school. :) They had 39 family names from Scott's side to do. So we went to the Gilbert and Mesa temple to get it all done.

 She also decided she wanted to get her ears pierced. She totally psyched herself out before they even put the earring gun to her ears. She was super nervous, so she talked more than she usually does, if that's possible! Aubree snapped the moment of discomfort. :) She made me stand in front of her so she could squeeze my hands if it hurt too much.  She said it didn't hurt as much as she thought it would.                                                                                                     

            Sunday selfie with Aubree. The gang's back together again!!