HE DID IT!!!! High School and Seminary Graduations

It is hard to believe that I have a child who is old enough to graduate from high school.  That being said, I have to report that it was a lot of fun being the parent of a child who is graduating from high school.  I have shed my fair share of tears over the whole occasion, crying because he was about to graduate, crying because he was graduating, then because he did.  I'm not sure all the tears were because he is old enough to graduate and leave home, or if it is because I am old enough to have a child who is old enough to graduate and leave home.  Regardless, we had a great time celebrating with Austin as he went through all of the pomp and circumstance that comes with this occasion. 

On Sunday, May 20 at 6:30 we had seminary graduation.  This is a quiet ceremony that the kids who attended and passed Seminary in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints attend and receive their diplomas.  For those anticipating a mission this is significant because foreign countries require some sort of formal "clergy" training in order to allow the missionaries to teach religion in their countries and a Seminary diploma qualifies.  Each stake takes care of their own ceremonies, so the whole thing only lasted an hour.  The speakers were really good, even our long distant cousin Trevon Beutler spoke on commitment and did a fabulous job.  My Dad was able to attend with us and commented how good the meeting was and how much he got out of it.    Then the kids were presented their diploma's by ward and everyone hurried out to see the solar eclipse that was occurring that night at 7:30.

 I had to run and catch Austin in order to get a picture of him.  He  is not one to stick around for pleasantries, or pictures. 

Two days later on Tuesday the 22 of May we all gathered to attend and celebrate Austins High School graduation.  Grandma and Grandpa Beutler came down from Dayton and arrived about three o'clock in the afternoon.  We had a barbecue planned for four o'clock that day and Austin had invited all of his friends.  I think he was surprised at how many came to support him.

 Grandma and Grandpa Beutler "chillin'" on the back deck.  I emphasised chillin' because it was over 100 degree's that day, something they are not used to in the cool Idaho weather.  It was only that hot for a few days, then cooled down again.  Grandpa Winn and Grandpa Beutler made the dutch oven potatoes for the barbecue, even in the heat.   Thanks guys!!

This is the crowd.  We had about 20 is people come for an early dinner before graduation.  The Scow family came, Cindy, Bob and Darringer, Clint Gubler, Dylan Stratton and Holly Tammietti, Andy Ashcroft, Mr. Dayley, Britta Nielson and Racheal and Jake Nielson,  Grandma and Grandpa Beutler, Topher Wilson, Austin Swyers and Jade Stout,  and three other friends I didn't recognize.  We had lots of Dutch oven potatoes, taco salad, hamburgers and hot dogs, Grandma Beutlers yummy brownies and Costco cake. 

Here he is at the Dixie College Burns Arena ready to walk, decorated in candy lei's, his pathway ropes, Stirling Scholar pendant, and Hawaiian nuts for good luck.  He sure is handsome, and very happy to be to this point. 

Shaking Principle Pedersons hand after walking under the H to recieve his diploma cover.  The
diploma's were given to them as they came down the stairs from the podium.

Mady played in the orchestra for the graduation. (She is in the very middle slightly behind a blond girl.)
 In the back left you can also see our cousin Trevon in the graduation cap.
 What a great experience it was for Mady to play
for this graduation!!!

Austin and his best friend Darringer Scow.  They have been pals since we
 moved to this side of town eight years ago. 

It took us a while to find him on the floor, but we finally did.  If you look
up behind Mady in the chairs under the 103 sign you can see a very tiny
Grandma and Grandpa Beutler and Doug waiting for us to find Austin and bring him up. 

We finally made it up into the stands for a picture with the Grandparents. 
Austin is their first to graduate from high school.

Austin and his lifelong friend Andy Ashcroft rode motorcycles to graduation.
Andy borrowed his Aunts' Harley and Austin is on Andy's Honda Shadow.  They
decided to ride back to Grad night in their robes and decorations for fun.
This is definitely the coolest way to get to your own graduation. 

Austin decorated his hat.  They "encouraged" the kids not to, but
some did anyway, and all were done tastefully.

The next day Austins cousin Kora graduated from Dixie High and we went over.
I took all of his graduation "stuff" so that we could get a picture of the two of
them looking like they graduated together.  They were born two months apart and
have had pictures together all of their lives.  We are so proud of them both!!!

This is my sister Vickie and I and our kids.  What a great moment for us!
And how in the world did we get kids old enough to graduate?  Weren't they
little just a few days ago?

I had to hurry home the night after Austins graduation because I was helping with grad night so I didn't get a lot of time to visit with anyone.  I'm pretty sure Austin had a great graduation, he enjoyed his gifts and the people who came to support him in this step of this life.  Congratulations Austin!!!