Garrett Graduates High School and Seminary!

There were many times we weren't sure if Garrett was going to graduate this year. Near the end of the first semester, he had started giving up and not turning in assignments, causing his grades to drop dramatically. We were able to help get his grades high enough to pass those classes, thankfully. The last semester started out strong and he said he was going to try and do better. About halfway through the semester, he started to slip into the same pattern as before. A lot of it had to do with friends. It seems that his grades would start to fall when he was feeling lonely again. We were able to catch it early enough and do things to help him there. In the last month, he saw the light at the end of the tunnel and really started pushing himself to get his grades as high as he could by the last day of school, which for seniors, was June 5th. He successfully ended the semester with 3 A's and 2 B's, as well as passing and graduating from seminary. We are SO proud of him for pulling out those good grades in the end. And I know he felt proud of himself also.

Seminary graduation came on Sunday evening of June 1st. It was a nice evening with a few of the graduates speaking and then the seminary teachers. It was done by our stake, so there were more than one school represented. There were refreshments and visiting in the gym following the graduation.

Other graduates from our ward and their seminary teacher with his wife. Garrett, Alex, Veraty, Dallin, Brother Wooly (Woolstenhume) and Sister Woolstenhume.

The last day of school for Garrett was June 5th! While I don't really do the last day of school pictures on Facebook like many others do, this of course, was different. This was his last day of high school EVER! He was very excited!

The next morning all of the seniors had to go practice for graduation for a couple of hours. I had to drive him since Jack drove the car to school. He's so lucky, because when we practiced for my graduation, it was for 3 days. I think mostly because ours was done at the high school in Bulldog Bowl. We had to practice outside and inside, just in case we had bad weather and needed to bring it inside. Well, a storm rolled in during our graduation, but we were able to finish it outside and then it rained when we circled the football field for the tassel exchange and throwing our caps in the air. That was the last time Nampa High School had graduation at Bulldog Bull. From then on it has been at the Idaho Center. And Garrett's graduation was held at the Toyota Center here in Kennewick, which is just like the Idaho Center.

We are SO grateful for the few family members that were able to come support Garrett for his graduation! My parents (dad and stepmom) drove up Saturday morning and met us at the graduation. Curtis's parents got here earlier so they came to our house first to visit. They had made a trip to Spokane before coming here, so they didn't have to travel as far this time. Stillman's family also drove over the same day from Lewiston and met us at the graduation. We were all able to sit together. The graduation was good with speakers who spoke for short amounts of time. Some graduations drag on and on, but this one was done in about 1 hour and 10 minutes. That's really good considering we had about 367 graduates (I think). We took a couple of pictures in the parking lot but decided to do more back at our house and get out of the crowd. 

Pre-graduation

Gaya made him the lei using folded up dollar bills (in different amounts). It looked so cool!
And gave him some of his favorite candy bars.

The band warming up for graduation playing "Pomp and Circumstance".

Jack played with the band at graduation.

One side of our cheering section.

The other side of our cheering section.

And of course, I need to be in a picture. Thanks Michelle!

(I did not take this photo. We were able to download candid shots from the photographer.)

Connor and Garrett

Dallin and Garrett

We hosted a graduation party at our house with lots of yummy food and swimming for those who wanted to get wet. It was a hot day and I'm glad the graduation was indoors. Family and friends from our ward showed up to the party as well as Garrett's seminary teacher with his wife and two girls. It was a fun party.

Quiche Triangles. We hadn't had these in a long time and everyone loved them.

Graduation cake from Costco.

Curtis got Garrett to say some words before eating our food. He thanked people for coming and thanked his parents for helping him get there.  He said without us, he wouldn't be there graduating that day. Melted my heart!

I started making Garrett a picture scrapbook the week of graduation. It's not finished yet, but it was enough for people to look at and enjoy during the party. He loves it.

Lots of food! Smoked chicken and pork, fruit, veggies, frog eye salad, chips, funeral potatoes, and quiche triangles. Yum!

Mostly kids got in the pool, but some of the men got in also.

Our table decor. Seminary and high school diplomas.

I'm also thankful that they had a live viewing of the graduation on YouTube for those who weren't able to travel that far for the graduation. I know my mom was able to watch it down in Utah. I'm not sure if anyone else in our family watched it.

You did it, Garrett!