Ryan's Freshman Year Swimming at DC and Swimming Banquet

Ryan is swimming with the High School Swim Team. Britta and I went to his first meet. He did great! He wasn't nervous at all, he has had a lot of swimming experience with the Castle Rock Cruisers swim team.



I've noticed that Ryan shakes his arms out before getting on the block.I'm guessing he is warming up his muscles and keeping them loose.



Getting ready.



On the block...

ready to take his position.

The freestyle is still Ryan's favorite stroke. Most meets he competed in the 50, the 100, and then a relay. It was a fun season.

At the end of the season banquet, the student coaches give out awards. Ryan and Christian Townsend got the "Twins" award because apparently some of their teammates kept getting them confused.

Some of the team after getting their certificates. Profe was giving them a hard time because they are supposed to dress up for this event.

Britta had been really insistent that we HAD to go to the swimming banquet for a couple of weeks. I kept reassuring her that, yes, we were going. I kept wondering why she was so intent about it. I thought maybe Ryan was getting the most improved swimmer or something. 

Nothing could have prepared me for this. All of of the awards had been given and Profe called me up to the stage. I was so shocked it took me a second or two to start walking up, I couldn't imagine why I needed to be up front. When I got to the podium and saw this plaque, my eyes filled with tears. Profe made the DC/CV Blake Palmer Memorial Award to honor Blake and wanted to surprise us with it. I was so touched!



Profe told everyone that Blake promoted friendship and team unity, that he was a big brother to everyone on the team. This award will be given each year to someone who exemplifies those characteristics. 

Then he wanted me to say a few words. I was a little emotional and it was hard. I told how Blake came home from school one day during his junior year and said he wanted to join the swim team and how surprised I was. Blake wasn't very interested in anything athletic, but I thought it was a good idea and I supported him. He came home from practice the first few days saying that every muscle in his body was aching, maybe he should quit. But something inside told him not to give up, and with practice and dedication he became an important part of the swim team. I told the boys that Blake's memory lives on through them, and I am grateful for that.



Profe then announced this year's recipient, Sam Prosser.

I am so humbled that nine months later we are still seeing the impact Blake had on others. I am so thankful to Profe for putting this together, what a great way to honor Blake. The plaque will hang in one of the hallways at the school.

Ryan with his "Twin" certificate and participation certificate.

Proud of Ryan and Blake tonight!

Seminary Graduation

Seminary graduation was after high school graduation, which was different. I think it was because the way the calendar was this month. Last Sunday was Mother's Day, and they wouldn't want to have graduation on Mother's Day. Then gradation was this past week, so here we are! Anyway, we are so proud of this girl! 

Britta was one of the speakers. They wanted her to talk about some doctrines she has learned in seminary and how they relate to her life. She talked about how the New Testament taught her to deal with trials and how we are not left comfortless. She learned that because Christ suffered for all of our sins, trials, and pains, He knows how we feel and is there for us if we will but turn to Him. She talked about how this knowledge helped her deal with Blake's death. It was a very touching talk and I felt the Spirit very strongly. Several people asked for copies of her talk.

I'm so glad that Grandma and Savannah are here with us. It's neat to be able to share life's successes with those we love.

Britta has mentioned before that she only has one grandparent left and she's thankful for the support Grandma gives her.

These two have leaned on each other a lot these past few months and I'm so happy they have each other.

Noah Groesbeck is in the Meadows Ward and goes to Castle View. Britta met him at Youth Conference a few years back and they have been good friends for a long time.

Britta mentioned in her talk that 4 years of Seminary equates to about 600 hours--Wow! My kids appreciate seminary more than I did. For me, it was just another class at school. My kids get up before the sun for 4 years to study the gospel and it really strengthens their testimony. I am thankful the church has this program for our youth. Congratulations on your seminary graduation Britta!

Lincoln's First Birthday

Can you believe this cute boy is one already? Wow! That was a fast year! His birthday was actually on Wednesday, but we are celebrating today.

The birthday dinner of ribs, potatoes, and corn on the cob. Yum! Grandma and Savannah are here for Britta's graduation. Austin is here too. Lots of people to party with!

A cute cake for the birthday boy!

I think he likes it!

Proud parents sure love their boy!

We gave Lincoln this wagon. I have a dream for the summer of teaching Dagny to ride a trike and I wanted something for Lincoln to have outside to play with. It's not that big, and it's more for pulling than for riding in. We'll see if my dream comes true...

Another big present!

How fun!! Lincoln is just starting to walk and he will love pushing this around!

You will see Austin in this picture, he has a job interview here in Denver tomorrow. We are all so excited!! Especially me!! 

Dagny's turn. I think she likes the wagon just as much as Lincoln does.

Great Grandma Collins takes LIncoln for a ride.

Happy Birthday sweet Lincoln! We love you!

Road Clean Up for Blake

At the Houghes' graduation party, Doug Perry told Delwyn that their ward's youth had adopted a stretch of road in Blake's honor. We were so touched, it brought us to tears.This sign is just past the high school on front street by the Bluffs apartments, and it goes to Founder's Parkway. There is another sign by King Soopers facing the opposite way. Every 6 weeks the youth walk along the roadside and pick up trash.

Nine months later and we are still seeing the impact Blake had in his short life. We feel so loved by our family, friends, and community.  Thank you, Canyon Ridge Ward!

Britta's Graduation Party with the Houghes

Britta has been friends with the Houghes twins Zach and Alyssa for many years. They were in our ward for awhile until the boundaries changed, and they hang out together quite often. They go to a different high school, but invited Britta to have a graduation party with them. That was so nice of them!

Sarah made meatball sandwiches,

and we both made some treats! The best part! I made mint brownies, mini cheesecakes, chocolate chip cookies, and Golden Graham treats.

Lots of friends were there.

We love the Price family! Britta used to babysit for them, and now Karly and Lilly are old enough to babysit for others. Lots of great memories with this family.

Delwyn and Bishop Bellum do some visiting.

After the party, a bunch of the kids went to the basement to watch movies and play games. Happy Graduation Class of 2017!

Britta Graduates from Douglas County High School

Britta's graduation will be a memorable one! We had a huge snowstorm and graduation got pushed back a day. Graduation was scheduled for Friday, May 19. It started snowing Wednesday night and snowed most of the day on Thursday. News accounts said we got 6 inches, but I think we had more than that although it's hard to tell because it was windy as well.

There was some discussion from the school whether graduation should be moved inside or postponed for a day to give crews time to clean the field and hopefully some of the snow would melt. If graduation was moved inside, students would only be allowed 3 guests instead of the 6 they get when it is held outside.  Mom and Savannah are here, Wade and Kimberlea were planning on coming, plus Delwyn and I, so we needed all 6 of our tickets. Ryan didn't need one because the band was going to be selling water.

I was very happy the decision was made to hold graduation outside!  Tradition! Britta is the sixth Palmer to graduate from DC, so we have attended 5 graduations at the DC stadium. We have gotten sunburned and worn winter gear, so we have experienced it all.

It turned out to be a beautiful day! I love all the colors at a DC graduation, the purple robes, the green grass, the blue sky with mountains in the background. The graduates line up and march around the track to their seats.

It takes a few minutes for that many students to march to their seats. I feel so proud watching them, they have bright futures ahead of them as they go out into the world.

What an impressive sight!

I love principal Tony Kappas. I don't know him personally, but I know what he stands for and he is so much more personable than the previous principal. I think most of the students love him too.

The choir sang, "Seasons of Love." Britta is on the right, behind a microphone stand.

Mackenzie Rollins sang "Rise Up." She and Britta have been friends since middle school and have been in choir together.

Lining up to receive their diplomas! Britta was wearing black booties, so I looked for her shoes when I wanted to see where she was.

Britta receives her diploma! Yay Britta!

Britta and Riley coming down the ramp! It's nice that the school doesn't require sitting in alphabetical order, so the students can sit with their friends.

Principal Kappas presents each graduate a rose.

Heading back to their seats.

Brady Peecher was the faculty member that spoke at graduation. He teaches Economics and taught both Blake and Britta.

Good fun teachers make a difference in a student's education and I am grateful for teachers like Mr. Peecher.

Mr Loyd, the choir teacher, is another teacher I appreciate. Britta took choir all four  years and loved it. Mr Loyd was a good influence in her high school experience.

Lots of smiles today.

Britta has many friends.

Best friends! Britta and Riley.

These two love to give each other piggyback rides and we have lots of pictures of them doing it, so it was only right to do it today.

We are proud of you, Britta!

Britta and Ryan have really enjoyed being in school together this year and I know he will miss her a ton next year.

It has been so fun having Savannah this week. I am glad she could come and share in Britta's graduation. These two share a special friendship. 

It's fun having Grandma here too!

Having a big family means having more people to support you! Thanks for being here Wade and Kimberlea.

Brothers are the best!

I love this picture with the Castle Rock in the background.

We are taking lots of pictures today.

These two! They do this thing where Ryan comes running at Britta and jumps into her arms and she carries him. It's quite hilarious considering he is taller than she is. They call it the koala hug. So thankful for the relationships my kids have with each other.

More pictures at home without so many people in the background.

I love this girl!

Siblings make the best friends!

It is so fun to have Savannah celebrate with our family. She fits in perfectly.

Landon and Megan didn't attempt coming to graduation, their kids are just too little and would be quite a handful. They came over after graduation to congratulate Britta and to eat pizza with us.

What a cute graduate Lincoln makes! I'm surprised he will leave that cap on! 

Congratulations Britta on this milestone in your life! I'm excited to see what the future holds for you!