Blake's High School Graduation

 

Today was Blake's high school graduation. An exciting and fun day! But hard to believe another child has grown up and is ready to leave home. Douglas County High School holds their graduation in the stadium and I love it! The colors are beautiful, the purple robes, the green grass, the blue sky. Graduation was on a Thursday morning at 9:00 am.

 

 

 Blake's fan club waiting for the program to start. It was rather chilly, we brought blankets to sit on, wore jackets, and some of us even had gloves. Each graduate gets 8 tickets and the seating is first come, first served. We didn't go super early, and we sat in the top section, which I like and I think you can see better up there.

 

The graduates line up at the bottom of the track and march around the entire field to their seats. 

 Ready to begin the ceremony.

 Principal Tony Kappas gives a speech.

 

 Britta is part of the choir and they sang, "I Lived."

 The graduates march up to the stand to receive their diplomas. There are 383 kids in Blake's graduating class. 

 Blake's best friend Jonny waited for him so they could walk down the aisle together.

 Yay for the graduates!

 

 Each of the graduates is presented with a rose.

 

 Megan brought a lei for Blake. It is a tradition in California where she grew up.

A happy Blake shows off his diploma.

Grandma is proud of Blake! She was so happy she could be here for this special day.

 

The happy parents with the new graduate!

We are taking lots of pictures today.

Blake and Jonny, best friends! Jonny moved here from Vernal, Utah, two years ago. I remember when Blake and Britta told me a new family moved into the ward and were from Vernal. Of course I wanted to meet them right away. As it turned out, Debra Todd is Jonny's grandmother, and they lived just down the road from us when I was growing up. Karen Todd was one of my best friends, small world! Jonny has a special place in my heart for many reasons.

It was really special to have so many of the family at Blake's graduation. My dream of having some of my children live here is coming true! We can celebrate events like this together.

Wade and Kimberlea congratulate Blake!

Blake is a good example to Britta and Ryan. They both look up to him and admire him.

I wanted to take a few more pictures at home because the field was so crowded at the school.

After graduation, we went to Red Robin for lunch. It was a great occasion with lots of talking and laughing.

 

Wade and Kimberlea gave Blake some dishes for a graduation gift.

 

They also gave him a set of pots and pans. So thoughtful of them!

 

Landon and Megan gave him a comforter.

All these presents is making Blake wish graduation happened a little more often!

A new swimming towel! A perfect gift for someone who will be lifeguarding this summer.

An alarm clock and a pop up hamper. Blake is going to be all set for the college life, whether it happens now or after his mission. This has been a perfect day! Happy graduation Blake!

End of the Year Swimming Banquet

 Tonight was the Swimming Banquet and Awards. The dinner had a Mexican theme and was catered by Qdoba. Blake got the "Big Brother Award", which I thought was so sweet! I was the oldest in my family and always thought it would be neat to have a big brother. To me, a big brother symbolizes someone who looks after you, is always there for you, and cares about you. What a compliment if that is the way the swim team sees Blake!

 The team lines up with their awards.

 The seniors were honored tonight and the parents gave a speech about their son. I said that Blake is a wonderful son who has brought much joy and happiness to our family. He has a great sense of humor and likes to play tricks on people. One of his favorite things to do is when he knows someone is coming home, he hides behind the door and jumps out to scare them when they come in. I'm surprised he hasn't given me a heart attack. He likes to hide in Britta's closet when she is brushing her teeth and getting ready for bed. When she comes in her room, turns off the lights and gets in bed, he jumps out and scares her. Blake is also very thoughtful. He carries the groceries in for me and buys me birthday presents and Mother's Day gifts with his own money.

This is only Blake's second year on the swim team.  I was very surprised last year when he came home 2 or 3 days into the season and said he wanted to join the swim team. Our family loves the water and we spend most of the summer at the pool, where we play and splash around a lot, but don't really swim for speed or do laps. The first few days he came home from practice tired and sore, but in typical Blake fashion he had the determination to keep going. He worked hard and improved his strokes and his time.

He enjoyed swimming so much that last summer he took a class and became certified as a life guard.

 He worked last summer at the Terrain pool and is going to work there again this summer. Swimming has become a hobby of his that he will enjoy and benefit from his entire life.

His plans for the future include serving a religious mission for the LDS church, and college where is considering a career in engineering.
 

 A hug after my speech.

 The seniors were presented with a gift, which was beach towel with their name, CV/DC Swim, and 2015 embroidered in the corner.

 Blake also lettered in swimming! Great job! So happy swimming has brought Blake much fulfillment.

Ryan's Band Concert

 

Tonight was the Mesa Middle School Spring Band Concert. The advanced band played "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing". It sounded great! Ryan thought it was too modernized and said crash cymbals shouldn't be used on a hymn. 

 

 The proud drummer and his drum sticks!

 

 Anna and Ryan have grown up together as friends and neighbors. I did some day care for Anna for several years when they were pre-school age. Anna plays the saxophone and it is fun to watch them be in band together.

 

The high school now allows 8th graders to be in the marching band. Ryan auditioned and was accepted! He is very excited! The high school wants to recruit more band members and by giving 8th graders a chance to participate, they know the ropes when they become freshmen. Go Ryan!

 

After the concert, we went to Good Times for milkshakes. Ryan had chocolate, Grandma had chocolate raspberry, and I had Oregon blackberry. What a way to celebrate!

 

 

Seminary Graduation

 

 Tonight was seminary graduation for Blake, and Britta earned the Stake President's Award. A very happy evening for this proud Mom! The course of study for this year was the Doctrine & Covenants.

 

 

It's not easy to be at the church at 6:30 am for four school years. I grew up in Utah and had released time seminary. We took that time for granted as a break during the school day, and I'm ashamed to say I didn't pay attention as well as I should have. I think it means more when you have to sacrifice in order to attend. My kids have benefitted from seminary a lot more than I did. 

 

 

Blake and Britta have set a good example for Ryan to follow. 

 

 

It was really neat to have Grandma here for this special occasion.  

 

 

Britta has earned the Stake President's Award for the past two years, and has set a goal to earn it all  four years. To qualify, she had to memorize the 25 scripture mastery scriptures, have 90% attendance, memorize the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in order, and memorize the Articles of Faith. Her award is a leather bound copy of the book, "The Articles of Faith." I am very proud of both Blake and Britta!

Grandma Collins Comes for a Visit

 

Mom is here for Blake's graduation. Wade and Kimberlea, Landon, Megan, and Dagny  came for dinner after church. We had a ham and scalloped potatoes. We wanted to take some pictures of Dagny with her great grandma, Irene. 

 

 

 Not many people get to know their great grandmothers. Mom is 74, hopefully she will live many more years and some of her great grandchildren will remember her. I remember my great grandma, Grandma Nielsen, I was probably 8 or 9 when she passed away. I remember going to her house and playing with marbles that she kept in a big tin can.

 

 

I wanted some pictures of the three of us. Dagny was her usual happy self and smiled a lot. 

 

 

 A four generation picture!

 

 

 Britta wanted a picture of Grandma, we decided to go outside. We don't get to see Grandma very often, she lives in Utah, we need to take a lot of pictures this week!

Blake and Sierra's Graduation Party

 

The Porras' family was having a graduation party for Sierra and they invited us to celebrate Blake's graduation with them. I was happy because I don't like to host parties. I worry too much--what if people don't have fun, what if nobody comes, what if we run out of food. I like attending parties, I just don't like hosting. I sent 25 invitations to out of town relatives, and about 50 to local friends and ward members. We had a taco bar and vegetable trays.

 

 

I ordered this cake from Sam's Club. It was a chocolate with a chocolate crème filling. It was yummy!

 

 

Sierra had her heart set on having s'mores outside in their fire pit. It has been very wet and rainy, so Nadezda found this great idea on Pinterest on how to do indoor s'mores. She got a garden planter, filled it with rocks, and put small cans of fuel in the middle. I thought she was brave, I'm not sure I would want an open flame in my house. Ryan did a great job of roasting his marshmallow!

 

 

Christian, Blake, and Josh had too much fun roasting marshmallows. Boys and fire are quite the combination.

 

 

 

Josh and Blake congratulate each other on graduating.

 

 

 We had a table set up in the entry way with a collage of pictures of Blake. We decided to put out his yearbook and let people sign it. Britta and Riley refused to smile.

 

 

 Mom arrived today and is staying for a week. Mom, Delwyn, and Wade enjoy some visiting. It was a fun party and Blake received many cards and well wishes.