Yes, I am now officially the mother of a high school graduate. Saying that really makes me sound so very old. Where have the past 13 years gone... it seems like just yesterday I was taking her to Kindergarten. This school year was gone in the blink of an eye. I think I just really wanted it to last.
Steph striking a pose when her name was announced.
Instead of going in alphabetical order, the grads can sit with whomever they choose. It's kind of cool that they get to spend the ceremony with their closest friends.
Like the purple Vans?
I was so grateful to all the family that came to show their support.
Alex Lilly, class of 2025?! Wow, that sounds like forever from now, but I'm sure it'll be here before we know it!These 3 cousins are all graduating seniors- class of 2010. Ever since they were little kids, their grandma has been stressing that their graduations would conflict... luckily it could not have worked out more perfectly.
We thought it'd be fun to get a picture of the 3 grads in their caps. Notice poor Steph's tassel is on the other side since she hasn't graduated yet!
To celebrate their graduations, they went to Lagoon today and had a great time. In the fall, Jess will be off to BYU Idaho, Steph to Univ. of Utah, and Erik to... well, he has no idea until he gets his mission call. I really hate to see everyone growing up and going in different directions, but I'm sure they'll always stay close.Miracles do happen... Stephenie graduated from seminary!! (Just teasin' Steph!) 
Her graduation was last Thursday, she was asked to speak and she did an excellent job.
It worked out great that her grandparents arrived in town earlier that day and were able to come to the graduation.
Her cousin Jessilyn who just graduated from high school last Monday in Sacramento drove out with Grandma and Grandpa to spend time with cousins for a week.
Since Steph went to a different high school than all her good junior high friends, it was nice to have seminary graduation done on a stake level because she was able to be with some of her old buddies. This is her good friend Colton.As a Senior Class Officer, Steph has been involved in the planning of the Senior Ball for the past year. After a whole lot of blood, sweat and tears the night finally arrived last Saturday. And... (big sigh of relief)... she had a wonderful time.
When I ordered Justin' boutenierre I asked for a white rose with purple accents, but I really love this purple orchid.
I love this picture... it's like the two are mirror images of one another, but with a 15 year age difference. I think I'm ok with taking a break from high school dances for the next 13 years! Ok, so maybe a little part of me is sad that it's over. At least with Alex one day, it'll be much easier shopping for tuxes than dresses!Senior Ball is coming up in a few weeks, and Steph's boyfriend Justin officially asked her to the dance in one of the cutest, and messiest ways I've ever seen!
Indeed, it was shaving cream, but it was masking all the other stuff found beneath... huge mounds of mashed potatoes and gravy, and some other substance we're not quite sure about, it looked like root beer floats, with tons of gumballs in it.
Steph had to fish out all these balls from each basket. There were some bigger balls, and tons of tiny ping pong balls, some with pictures drawn on them, some with words written. We washed the goop off all the balls and thought for sure one of them would say something about the Senior Ball.... Nothing. Soooo, we rinsed out all the buckets assuming that they probably had a message written on the bottom. Again, nothing.
Then we figured, maybe there's some special code on these ping pong balls that we have to piece together. Seriously, Steph and I sat there for a good half hour trying to figure it out. She kept texting Justin begging for clues but he refused. We both finally just had to walk away because it was hurting our brains trying to figure this out. A short while later, we hear a loud knock on the door and when we answered it this is what we found...Last week marked the end of Stephenie's high school softball career. She's been playing since she was about 8 years old, so naturally I'm sad to see it end. However, with the end of the season comes a sense of relief, because this season was H-E-L-L!!!! I could go on and on about the details, but that would take forever, and I'm trying (and sometimes not succeeding) to be a more Christlike person and just... let it go.
I do, however, have to give a shout out to Steph, for enduring and sticking with it. I also give her props for the way she really came through for her team. The girl who typically started at first base was suspended for several games (bet you're wondering why she was suspended... but remember, I'm trying to be more Christlike, so I shall not gossip!) Anyways, Steph stepped it up and played 1st base, a position she'd never played before, and she did a dang good job at it. This is on Varsity, and their region has some of the best teams in the state.
Steve felt bad that he wasn't there to coach her for her senior year. (He was the coach the past two years but now works at a different school) Especially with all the crap that went down. But... now it's over and when it's all said and done, I hope that one day when Steph looks back she will have fond memories of these times.
So what do I do with myself now for the next few years till Alex is old enough to start playing tee ball?!!
