Graduation

The big day finally arrived! Our high school holds graduation at the State Capital, which makes for an impressive ceremony. Because they share the last same name, Whitney and Analese got to march in and sit next to each other during the ceremony. Noreen is president of the school's Governing Board, so we got front row seats!

Beautiful Graduates!

We are so proud of Whitney! She was her school's Salutatorian (second in her class) for 2012. This is a picture of her receiving her award. She would have been Valedictorian if she hadn't taken time off to intern at the State Legislature this session. I asked if she had any regrets, but she said she'd rather have had the Legislature experience, and besides she got the award without having to write a speech. :)

Well done Whitney! Well done.

Graduation Party

After months (and years!) of hard work, all that was left was to celebrate graduation. I couldn't be prouder of my seniors.

Natalie, Whitney, Analese and Jessie. Aren't they great?!

Me and my girls! I was lucky enough to have not just one, but three seniors in my life this year. It was such a joy to have Analese live with us this year to finish up high school and an honor to work with her to get her to the graduation finish line. We couldn't have done it without Natalie, our faithful math tutor, my personal assistant and Whitney's best friend. She spent so much time at our house this year that we joked we should put another bed in Whitney's room. Seriously, we should have! And of course Whitney! She worked so hard in high school and I loved working with her on her goals. I can't believe my first born is on her way to BYU!

We had worked for weeks before graduation to strip and re-stain our deck for the big shindig. We were literally laying down stain until midnight the night before and I was touching up the morning of. Before heading off to the Capital for the ceremony we had over 50 people over for the big bbq.
The star of the party (besides the graduates of course) was this beautiful chocolate and vanilla gluten free cake. My best friend Denise not only made this masterpiece, but delivered it too! Everyone LOVED it. Thanks Denise! Didn't we just graduate from high school together? I can't believe the time has gone so fast.

Beautiful Senior Pictures

Seminary Graduation

Another week of milestones around here! Not only do the girls have everything turned in to graduate from High School, they graduated today from four years of Seminary.

Whitney also spent the full day Thursday at BYU at New Student Orientation. She got to attend class, talk with an academic adviser and even got her student ID! It was a very surreal experience to drop her off at the Student Center. Wasn't I just attending there myself?

Analese spent Thursday evening checking out UVU and is very excited to apply.

Ballroom Dancing

The hardest thing for Analese to give up to come live with us to finish high school, was her ballroom dance team in Idaho. The team was traveling through Utah on their Spring Break tour and performed at an assisted living center in American Fork. We all went down for family night to see them and they had Analese join them in a couple dances that she knew. She did a wonderful job and is a beautiful dancer.

Young Womens' Broadcast and City Creek

Whitney and Analese got tickets to the Young Womens' General Conference downtown. It was Analese's first time attending an event at the Conference Center and they both enjoyed the messages of the conference.

Steve and I drove them downtown and spent the evening at the new City Creek Center, the gorgeous new outdoor mall and city center across from temple square. We took the girls over after the conference and we were treated to an out door concert by Eclipse, a vocal group we really enjoy. We look forward to taking the whole family downtown on trax to show them City Creek.

Relief Society Birthday

Laura invited us to a Relief Society Birthday celebration at This is the Place State Park. With both Whitney and Analese getting ready to join Relief Society soon, I thought it would be nice to bring them. We heard faith promoting stories of pioneer women from sisters in pioneer dress and saw an amazing quilt display. Too bad Laura didn't feel well enough to join us. We missed you Laura!

Happy Birthday Analese!

Analese turned 18 this week! It has been such a pleasure to have her live with us this semester. She is a delight and working very hard in school. We had so much fun celebrating with her on her big day. She also got many calls from family and friends wishing her well. What a beautiful young woman!

Breaking News!

We always wanted six kids, and now we have six for the next 4 months! We "adopted" our darling niece Analese from Idaho so she can finish up her high schooling with Whitney at her charter school. I now have twin seniors and Whitney has a roomate for the first time. I rented both of them cap and gowns this week!

Whitney also started interning this week at The State Capital for the Legislative session two days a week. She is having an amazing experience! It means lots of extra driving for mom and dad, but it's worth it.