Tylissa's Graduation . . . sniff sniff

The day finally arrived.  The day she has waited for and the day I couldn't believe was possible.  It was a very emotional last month of school.  I would drop her off at school and starting crying on the way to work.  Dropping her off for the last time was a hard day, the last day of seminary was a hard day, BUT I did surprisingly well during the ceremony.   Here she is getting ready to head to the school.

Pictures at home first. 

She is going to miss her brothers . . . but she won't admit it yet.

We got to the school early to save seats and they had members of the Flathead Tribe entertain us for a bit. 

The Flathead Braves!!!

Keston played in the band and then tried to join us when they were finished however, he couldn't get through so he sat on the steps with Preston.

The little blur is Tylissa walking in.  We guessed on which side of the gym to sit in and we pick the correct side. 

Look at that smile . . . she was pretty excited. 

Can you pick her out . . . she is in row 5.  The row with the empty seats in the middle.

Listening to the ceremony.  It was pretty short and sweet because they had 300+ kids to get through.

The principal Mr. F.

I got the video to work.  I feel like I could break out in song for her. . . this is the moment, this is the day, this is the moment that I know I'm on my way. . .  I love Tylissa's "whew, it's over" breath at the end.

Getting ready to throw the caps, the tassel is off.

The student body president, Jake W.

Then the pictures afterward . . .  she makes me feel tall.  We are so proud!  Her brothers have a high bar to meet because she really blew our expectations out of the water.

Thanks Granny and Grandpa for making it and surviving in the hot gym.  The first girl to graduate.

She did it.  There were moments I told her to hold still and quit dancing so we could get pictures.

Switch to the Batman fedora

Her friend Preston came up for the evening. 

The whole family

Saying congrats, farewell, and good luck to classmates - Eric.

Lynn - can you believe they were very close to the same size.

Seminary buddy Billy.

Can't forget Danny - these two have been buds since the good ol' days of Elrod.

Everyone needs to have the FHS flower picture. 

Tylissa is not the most social girl so she didn't want to have a party but we had fun with just the family and enough ice cream sundae stuff for about 20 more no parties.

So what are her plans.  She is going to the University of Montana in Missoula (just 2 hours away) and she will be studying Forensic Anthropology.  Think of every icky, gory, disgusting crime show you have watched on tv and she wants to solve them all.  My pretty little girl is really sick and twisted.  She has worked her little tail and was able to get some scholarships.  A couple from UM and then she was awarded some at the award ceremony a couple days before graduation.

Tylissa spent a lot of time filling out scholarship applications, I swear she completed at least 20.  We each got a letter in the mail inviting us to the 2013 Senior Awards Red Carpet Ceremony, an Oscar Experience.  She had received a scholarship but we would find out what when we got there.  So to make a long story short.  It was great, they had red carpet and everything and they started giving out awards and we sat and sat and sat for over two hours.  Tylissa starting slinking lower and lower in her chair.  She really wanted to get the Elrod Alumni scholarship but that went to Danny (a great pick if it can't be your own kid).  She was getting discouraged and I was too.  Because the evening was so long, I pulled out my textbook and was reading it by the light of my iPod when all of a sudden they called her name.  I feel terrible because I wasn't paying attention to know what scholarship it was.  That is why the pictures are so blurry.  She was so excited.  The certificate informed us she was awarded the Edna McPheeter award for $1600.  After that she was sitting up in her chair again and I started paying attention.  And she was part of the group that received the Hawkins award for another $2000.  They gave out little Oscar statues even. 

Receiving the first scholarship award - the Edna McPheeters award.

Passing down the Oscar statues from the Hawkins award

Tylissa and Danny - buds since 3rd Grade at Elrod.  He grew, she didn't.

It was a long wait but very worth it, even 4 hours worth it - way to go Tylissa!!!   Watch out world she is going to take your breath away!

Shooting

Rather than camping over Memorial Day weekend we spent the afternoon shooting and finished up at Dairy Queen.  Tylissa had never shot a gun before and she was excited to try.  The boys brought their airsoft guns and we set up a bunch of targets and had fun in between the rain.

Keston shooting the big hunting rifle.  I tried and it nearly did me in.  I have a huge bruise for a couple of weeks.  I will stick with the 22.

I found out that I was shooting from the wrong side.  Being right handed I just assumed that is how I needed to shoot.  WRONG . . . I am left eye dominant so when I switched it around, I hit a lot more targets. 

I love Tylissa's stance.  She did great and hit a lot of the targets but she would lean back so far. 

Chad with the big hunting rifle.  

This is a better stance.  She had fun and we look forward to shooting some more.

Woodbadge

Val has spent the last year and a half training to get his Woodbadge certificate for the Boy Scouts.  He went to two, one week camp trainings and then had to complete some goals.  Congratulations Val you are an officially trained Scout Leader. 

 She is holding a wood tie.

 He is now recognized with a new neckerchief that is intertwined with the wood tie.

Track 2013

Another year of track has come and gone.  Keston had an okay year doing long and triple jump.  It is hard when he is jumping against kids who are a good foot taller than him but he kept going. 

Chad tried hurdles this year and he loved it.  He had a great hurdle coach who really helped him get the form he needs.  Again he is racing against kids that are a lot taller than him but he held his own.  Middle school sports are weird because you have kids that are beasts that you wonder how many times they've been held back to these teeny kids who look like they should still be in grade 4. Chad also did triple and long jump but again hurdles were his favorite. 

 I am told these are horrible arms and he would kill me if his coach ever saw this picture. 

We actually had some great sunny days for track meets as well as some true to Montana weather of extremely cold too. 

Back Track to Easter

I tried to get the morning wake up hair do but he wouldn't hold still long enough.  I love the fact that my three teenage kids still want to do easter egg hunts. 

 Tylissa was happy with her stash so she stopped looking.  Keston and Chad were die hards.  I am going to have to start counting eggs because we keep find them.

A few treats from the Easter Bunny.

Gotta get Maggie in the action.  

Chad finding the egg that was stuffed full of gummie bears.

 I don't know why I spend hours filling easter eggs, hiding them, only to have them dump everything in one bowl.  What would the world be without Jelly Belly beans.

We were so lucky to have Granny and Grandpa come for a LONG visit.  We had a great time.  They spoil us rotten as always and we were able to enjoy the simple things.  When was the last day you flew a kite?  Grandpa and Tylissa took the first round while Keston and Chad played ball with their friends.  Granny and I took a walk on the walking path and she flashed many motorists while trying take off her multiple layers . . . don't deny it Granny the good citizens of Kalispell just wanting to get a few things from Costco got more than they bargained for.  (love you)

Chad waiting for the ball. 

Tylissa handling the kite.

Keston getting ready for the pass. 

Chad and his momma laying in the grass flying the kites, and yes we got them tangled up trying to take the picture but we got them untangled before they came down.

Grandpa sitting on the rock, flying the kite. 

There they are . . . the kites.