Brinley Graduates!

There have been a lot of bittersweet moments the past few weeks as Brinley is preparing to 'fly the nest'.  I'm sure every mother takes inventory and thinks of the things they haven't taught their child as they approach this milestone.  At the same time, I recognize there have been a lot of learning experiences throughout our 18 years together.  Brinley has always been one to 'just figure it out on her own' and I'm sure this trait will carry her through the many adventures that lie ahead.

Seminary Graduation for Brinley

Parker, Preston, Brinley, Haylie, Hunter, Charlie, Colton
missing from ward pic: Bennett, Codee

Seminary Graduation for the Henry's Fork Idaho Stake was held on May 20, 2018.

Brinley & Haylie - the only girls in our ward this age group for years!

Haylie, Brinley, Asia - all baptized on Feb. 2, 2008

This is what I came home to after leaving a watermelon out on the counter.  Hmmm, Quinn used a very big knife to cut this melon open!  Yikes.  In preparing for Brinley's graduation dinner, we realized the marinating chicken that needed to be BBQ'd wasn't going to be ready in time and went to Plan B.  Aaron picked up Chinese take-out after picking up Elsie (from a friend's house) and LaVerne (from the Homestead).  Everyone enjoyed our meal together before heading to Brinley's high school graduation ceremony.

Brin's fortune was timely:).

Chinese take-out graduation dinner for Brinley

We enjoyed having LaVerne attend with us.

It was a wonderful evening to celebrate the accomplishments of Brinley's graduating class of 2018.  They are a very talented and intelligent group of kids and that record revealed itself throughout the evening.  It was neat to be able to have both sets of grandparents view the proceedings via a video link since they are many miles away serving missions.

Brinley walking across the stage on the jumbotron.

Taking pictures in the BYU-I center doesn't produce great results.  I was SO elated that a friend of mine happened to be seated on stage with the dignitaries and snapped one of Brinley.  She texted it to me during the commencement exercises and that truly made my day.

Brinley receiving her diploma

Walking across the stage at graduation

Later that evening, we had another friend send us this quality pic (above).  

Symphony, Nikki, Brinley, Aubrey

Brinley & Megan

Brinley & Maddi

Brinley, Natalie, Aubrey

The family - in the 10 court gymnasium following graduation exercises.

Aaron, Brinley, Great-G-pa LaVerne

The girls - Mom, Elsie, Brinley, Anna

I wanted to include this picture because it shows the girls in front of Aubrey's house.  This also happens to be the house where Bob and Janene were living when Aaron and I met and married.  In fact, Brinley visited this home and slept at G-ma and G-pa's house several times before it was sold to Aubrey's family.  Little did anyone know that we would end up leaving UT for ID and that these two girls would meet in middle school and become best friends!

Graduation Program

After taking more pictures with friends, Brinley returned home to change before the all-night graduation party (9pm-3am) and to make milkshakes as a family.  As hard as it is to believe, Aaron and I now have two children graduated from high school.  Congrats Brinley!  We're so proud of all you've accomplished thus far in your life and for the incredible person you are becoming!