Phoenix Volleyball Festival June 28- July 4

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

1 & 2 - Made it to Phoenix and all checked in. Dinner at the local Corner Bakery. Tomorrow begins the volleyball competition, and this girl will give it her all. She always does not matter what. A fierce competition and a great team player. We are very proud of your hard work and determination Jenna! 3, 4, 5 & 6 - Who has the greatest aunt and uncle ever?  We do! Aunt Michelle, Uncle Shane and Gavin arrived at the Convention Center before the last match started on the first day, and then they came back for two more days. What a great surprise! They were in the Phoenix area at the same time for a wrestling camp. After the games one evening, we went to Cooperstown, a local burger place owned by Alice Cooper. Not my favorite singer, but the food was good, and the company was even better. 7. My favorite side of Jenna is her silly side. 8. I don't know why, but I love huddle pictures. I love the unity and focus as the team heads on to the court or back into the game after regrouping. 9 & 10. Jenna joined the team after playing outside in Vegas to be a setter. She is back playing outside because the girl she replaced rolled her ankle. During day 3, our other outside tore her ACL. It's been a tough injury season for this team. They played really well together and were sad to say good-bye.

Graduation Practice and Aunt Shell Time

Our day started at the high school for graduation practice. I was given the opportunity to volunteer since I had a daughter graduating. It was fun to be there and watch. Three of us had daughters graduating, and the girls have known each other since elementary school. After practice Heather and I went to Barnes and Nobel to spend some money on books. She was a happy girl. There is a lightness in the air now that there's no more school. Later in the afternoon, Aunt Michelle and Jenna got manicures. We took Aunt Shell by Rollin' Creamery to introduce her to the deliciousness. Super fun day.

Graduation Dinner

Kelly made the most delicious hamburgers tonight for Heather's graduation dinner. Hamburgers, corn-on-the-cob, root beer and Reese's dessert. Prezzies too.

We Have a Seminary Graduate

We went to church today, then Baccalaureate and then to Seminary Graduation. A busy, but wonderful, day. Heather and Jenna worked very hard through some challenges to successfully complete the Seminary year. And Heather is a Seminary graduate! I often wonder how Seminary would be different if we lived in an area where it was a part of our daughters' school day? We wouldn't have the challenges that come from lack of sleep and health issues due to lack of sleep. I guess there are challenges no matter where you live. I'm glad that we could get to the finish line, even if it meant we crawled over it. Good work my lovelies.

Heather's Baccalaureate Ceremony

Baccalaureate is a religious service held at an educational institution, usually on the Sunday before commencement day.  While religion is not mentioned now, the baccalaureate tradition is still honored at our high school. This afternoon graduates and their families met to hear motivational speakers and messages. Grandpa Ron was able to go on this outing, and Aunt Michelle was here for it also. We took lots of pictures of our soon-to-be graduate, and it was a lot of fun seeing her mingle in her cap and gown. This is a big week for our seniors!

Senior Honors Night

Tonight was Senior Honors Night. Many good friends received awards. Heather received the Scholar with Expertise which is a GPA of 2.5 or higher (she has a 3.5 overall) and four consecutive years in athletics. She also received the Service Cord for her many hours of service in the community. They accepted all of her Stake Youth Council service which was amazing because that's where Heather has been tirelessly serving the past two years. We were proud parents for sure. Heather has done an amazing job overcoming many obstacles to achieve what she has achieved.

Last School Pick Up Ever

Someone was excited that I'm picking her up from high school FOR THE LAST TIME EVER! This picture says it all. Aunt Michelle was with me, and we had zoomed over so we could walk up and meet Heather at the gate.  Finals are done and THIS IS IT! Woooooooohooooooo!

Aunt Michelle's Extended Visit

Aunt Michelle stayed a few extra days to help out with Grandpa Ron. We celebrated his birthday from April and Aunt Shell's upcoming May birthday with some yummy bundt cakes. On Aunt Shell's last day, she and I went to The Original Pancake House on the way to the airport. We love getting Dutch Babies here. Our mom used to make them, and they're so yummy. We love went Aunt Shell, Uncle Shane and Gavin come to visit!

Sunset League Prelims and The Blairs

Uncle Shane and Aunt Michelle wanted to come to California and see Heather run in a track meet before her track season ended. She qualified for the Sunset League finals while they were here! Yay! They soaked up some sun and visited Grandpa Ron, too. Uncle Shane had to drive back to get back to work, but Aunt Michelle will stay a few more days.