Graduation Day

The big day has finally arrived (a month ago) and we are definitely ready for all the celebrating.  DHHS Graduation Time is 2:30 to watch the virtual ceremony.

This is new today a balloon

Celebration pathway

Heart Attach
from the Young Woman.

Waiting for it to start.
In the comfort of our living room.

We are comfortable
and waiting for Rylee to appear on screen.

We made it through the 2 hour presentation and saw Rylee for the 20 seconds it took to walk across the stage.  It is now time to put on the cap & gown and get ready for the senior parade.

Final time to wear this
outfit.
She did like the candy lei.

The line up at the school
I love the flower lei they had at the school.

It's starting!!!

There she is with Ben.

There they go...

It was a totally exhausting day.  They headed off to Stahlie Farms for a balloon release and fireworks.  We headed home with sore hands & throat.  The kids really had fun and the cheering sections were having fun as well.  

The celebrating is over and the new phase is beginning for our family.  Will we survive it??

Surviving and Healthy

Another crazy week has gone by and we are all still hanging in there.  It has been a busy week with finishing up last minute assignments, checking out of school, watching too many movies, and trying to stay cool.  Someone forgot to pay the AC bill here in Southern Utah it has been really hot with above average temperatures.  I am sure my kids would blame me for the heat since I am in control of everything wrong in their lives right now.  The state has opened a little more into the Yellow Phase time for a little more freedom.  

The kids found friends to hang out with even if its outside only.

Let me in Reganne!!

Where is she?
She had a sleep over with a friend.
Don't hate on me too bad for this.
She has been social distancing in her bedroom for weeks.

Cool new toy!!
They found out thrifting.

First outing!!
Birthday Lunch

It tasted great!!
It felt great to be out and about.

Sunday baking
The rolls were a little doughy.
Yet still tasted great.

As one week ends another one quickly follows.  This week we have graduation, Memorial Day, and hopefully family fun time.

We hope everyone stays healthy and safe.

Virtual Miss St George 2020

The girls were busy working on the pageant in March when the world went crazy.  It came to a screeching halt.  6 weeks later they found a solution of doing it virtually.  The girls met with the judges one at a time for the interview portion.  The talent portion was submitted by video.  The final portion was to be an essay.  The crowning would be held at Seegmiller Farm Park with a lot of fresh air.

Time for the crowning ceremony and it was HOT!!! Inside the barn.  The girls were all there with their parents and the current royalty with parents.  You could feel the tension and excitement.

2019 Royalty
Rylee, Madison, and Ainsley

Royalty & Contestants

Trying to not be nervous

New royalty & contestants

New royalty & Mayor Pike

Crazy girls with
crazy poses.

Congratulating Ainsley!!
First Attendant!!

Final Picture
with their personalized masks.

Masks were required it was so hot that they distanced themselves apart and removed them.  Then the mayor walked in and everyone wasn't sure how he would respond.  Funny thing he didn't have a mask either.  We wished the new girls luck and hoping that they can find fun ways to serve the city this upcoming year.  The little bit I learned about each one they are all amazing.

It has been a fun year for us as a family to support Rylee with the adventure.  We are proud of her and the amazing things that she has been able to do and participate with the group.

Another Ending....

The school year is officially came to an end.  All the weirdness aside our schools worked hard to make each child feel like they counted.  

First up was SRIS with Ryder being a band student he got to be one of the first to check out.  I was really anxious after the whole bathtub incident.  He passed his instrument inspection with flying colors.  I asked Mrs. Woods if what he did was correct.  She smiled an assured me that if he followed the instructions in her email it was perfect.  I could finally relax.  Next station to visit was the computer checkin (we didn't have anything).  Onto the next step library checkin (he turned in his band music).  Then the finance office (all good).  Then spread out on all the tables were binders, past project, and what I assumed were smiling teachers.  They were all hidden behind masks.  

Last stop!!!
A Crumbl Cookie from the PTA.

All this lasted for 20 minutes.  He is now officially a 7th Grader.

Checkout day for DHMS!!!  No special checkout time instead in alphabetical order.  The last name of Waters we are definitely at the end of the day.  We followed the arrows around the building, through the hallways, to finally arrive at the 9th grade lockers.  We had a little hitch she couldn't remember her combo.  Lucky for us there was a custodian near by with the key.  Unlucky for us it was jammed.  Opened with very little inside besides wrappers and a container of Ranch that looked disgusting!!!  It quickly found it's way into the nearby garbage can.  Next stop was computer & library checkin (no computer & a calculator).  Finance office was next up (nothing).  She got her ticket of her yearbook and we were off to find that stop.  Got it from her Honors Geography teacher who told me what a great student she was and was going to miss her.  The final stop was the cookie table manned by the principal Mrs. Monkers (she is changing schools next year) She greeted Reganne by name and wished her luck next year at the high school. 

Done with middle school!!
onto
high school!!!

Rylee didn't have an official check with being a senior.  If she did I wasn't allowed to go with her.  That would be so embarrassing to be seen with your mom.  Let's hope all her fees have been paid so she can receive her diploma next week.

We did get an email about seminary graduation this year.  No official presentations instead one of the bishopric would be bringing her diploma by with a treat.  We haven't always seen eye to eye on seminary each year.  I do know that she did make some amazing friendships over the past 4 years.

Rylee & Bishop Marchant

Seminary Graduate!!

We are so proud of these kids and all their hard work over the past 8 weeks.  This has not been the easiest of school years but we all survived.  

Bring on graduation!!!

You Need to do WHAT???

It is that time at the end of there school year with all the final assignments.  Ryder received an email from his band teacher Mrs. Woods that he needed to clean his baritone.  She detailed all that needed to be done to return it on check out day.  The instructions said to take it apart and give it a bath.  WHAT!!! won't that damage it??  No Mom, that is what we are supposed to.  

Just watch...

Not sure about this at all.

He has his snake
slowly cleaning each piece.

Now it needs to be dried.

Reassembled

Ready to play!!

He did a good job and didn't have any extra pieces left over.  I am still not sure this is what he was supposed to do.  However, I do trust him to follow instructions and do his best.  He is also talking about changing instruments next year for the trombone.  When I asked why he had 3 reasons.  The first being he could do jazz & concert band with it.  The second it's always good to learn new things and being able to play multiple instruments.  The third and final reason it is much lighter and he can bring it home every day to practice.  He hasn't complained all year about the weight so how can we deny him the chance to try something new.

Monday we will find out it is clean enough when we return it for school check out day.

Another Week Down

It's another crazy week full of school assignments & projects.  We even threw in smiles and even a little laughter when we could.  Ryder was also excited for swim to resume even if only for a couple of days this week.

Love this selfie I found on my phone.
She has been working really hard on her school work.

Dexter finding a spot to
cool off after a walk.

Ryder's science assignment.
Making a game to play.

The rules
His teacher was impressed and he received an A.

Graduation Gift from
the ward family.
It was filled with yummy treats, notes, and a book to read.

Boredom set in.
He found the cotton candy & snow cone machines
This was peppermint and it tasted pretty good.

Another one for the books.  We are slowly opening things back up and even slower in getting back to a new normal.  I am not sure when the craziness will break out but I'm sure that much longer on the staying home & staying safe will drive people a whole lot crazier.  It's only May and it is heating up as well.

The Filming

I have been dragging my fingers on this post for too long.  It won't change the outcome of her graduating or. turning 18.  I just like living in denial as long as I possibly can.  The first event of the graduation season was filming the graduates walking across the stage, having their names called, and passing through the school letters.

Let's get this show on the road...

Ready to go...

First Checkin Spot
Assigned a number.

Finding a spot to wait for our escort.
She found us and we started the procession.

Even nervous she makes it
look so easy.

Amazing

Last stop & last picture.
She has attitude!!!

The new normal?? Masks
They saved the best for last.  Cookies!!

The line is starting to backup.
We finished in record time.

Cars were backing up.

She is ready to kill me.
I needed one more picture to end the day.

She now needs to finish all her classes and finals.  She will then earn the paper that goes inside.  She was now ready to get out of the monkey suit and hang out with Ben for the rest of the day.  I appreciate the principal & staff for trying to make each one of these kids feel special and make the most of this crazy times.