Whitley's Graduation

Whitley graduated last night, May 30, 2012 from Basha High School.  We had to come back early from our trip to make her graduation.  At first I was a little bummed, but as the graduates filled the room, there was no place else I'd rather have been!  She and Stephen were both part of the choir that sang.  Most of the pics of her are what was shown on the big screen, hence the terrible quality.  She was just radiant!!  I remember the same thing about Chelsey, there was just a different glow and excitement about her that was obvious in all her pictures.  What a great night!!

I had been texting Stephen to tell him to turn around.  Finally he figured it out.

 Whitley with two of her grandmas

 Whitley and Keslee

 Whitley and Trey Workman

 Grandma and Grandpa Smith

 She had her shoes off in no time and was busy texting trying to meet up with friends.

 Stephen will make such a good husband, he held the purses with no complaint

 Joe, Whitley and Kristen

Whitley with the Stratton kids

Flagstaff

Our old bishop has a timeshare in Flagstaff they weren't using this week, so they let us use it.  We took a few other couples with us since it sleeps eight.  We drove up Sunday after church, had a nice home cooked meal and chilled the rest of the night.  The sleeper sofas were awful, but luckily someone brought an air mattress.

The next morning some of us went for a run before we headed out for the day. Some friends of ours were competing in a rodeo up here so we went to watch him for awhile. It was very fascinating.
Then we rode the chairlift to the top of the mountain at snowbowl ski resort. It's right next to Mt. Humphries, the tallest peak in AZ. It took about 30 min each way. I had gotten a little car sick on the way up so I wasn't feeling so great for this activity. It was nice to get to just snuggle with Glade on the ski lift though.

We went home, cleaned up and went to dinner at Outback Steakhouse. Some wanted to check out the hot tub after dinner, only to find it was freezing cold. I'm glad I chose to stay home in my warm jammies. Melanie and I were very ready for bed so we turned in while the others played games.

Tuesday we spent the morning at Walnut Canyon hiking the Indian ruins. We came back to the condo for lunch, chitchat, and naps.  We also went to the rec center to play a little mini golf and have some ice cream. Robin offered to make us dinner that night. We had stroganoff, rolls and corn on the cob. We all stayed up playing games, giggling and eating junk food. Good times!

The last morning we ran again, then some went to the lava tubes and we stayed back to chill at the condo. Glade and Jake played a little golf while Jenny and I watched. Lovely morning. Lunch in town at the best little hole in the wall Mexican place and then back to the condo for one more round of games.  We had to get back for Whitley's graduation so we had to end our vacation a little early.

That was all the technical stuff about our 4 days, what can't be put into words are all the laughs, tears, inside jokes, insults.. did I mention laughs.. and most of all, love that was shared this week.

Chilling at the Rodeo

At the top of the ski lift

Getting goofy with the bear playing mini golf

Walnut Canyon Indian Ruins

Walnut Canyon

Glade teaching Jake the ins and outs of golf

Dinner at the condo

Glade attempting to get through the doorway of the cliff dwellings

The rec center had a movie room with big bean bags chairs

Senior Choir Concert

Whitley's senior choir concert was the exact same time as Rhett's graduation.  We were hoping the graduation would wrap up quickly, but it wasn't so.  As soon as we snapped a few pics of Rhett, Mom and I raced over to the high school to see if we could catch any part of her concert.  We arrived right before the last song.  Before the last song, they give each senior a rose and they are asked to give it to someone who was special/made their year memorable.  When she knew I probably wouldn't make it, she went with plan B.  I think it should have been plan A all along and it worked out perfectly in the end.  She went up to her brother and handed him the rose and gave him a big hug.  We all cried and their was a collective "aww" heard throughout the group.  They have become such close friends and I think it's totally fitting for her to give it to him.  

Then they sang their farewell song.  Whitley struggled through the bulk of it.  The pictures are a little dark and blurry, but you can see her teary eyes.  What a wonderful girl she is.  I'm so glad I made it in time to at least see a little.  I love her!!♥

Happy Graduation sweet girl, can't wait to see what your future holds. Ü

Katy Photoshoot

Katy asked me to do her hair and then take some pictures of her.  We just cut her hair so the bottom was even, so she was feeling cute.  I couldn't agree more!

Katelyn Jo Smith 

May 2012