Introducing . . .

the newest BYU graduate!!!!  Emily graduated on Friday, April 24, 2010 with a B.A. in English and Minors in Editing and Music.  What a fabulous accomplishment!  And . . . she did the whole thing in 4 years.  It seems like that doesn't happen very often anymore.  It has been a goal for her ever since she was a little girl.

Some of us were lucky enough to go up and celebrate with her.  Brad and I and Danny and Ryan arrived in time on Thursday to attend the huge graduation.  I think they said there were 5 to 6,000 graduates.  Elder Christopherson was the main speaker and it was really nice.  Afterwards, Emily chose to celebrate with Indian food.  We were a little skeptical to take the younger boys there, but decided to try it out.  Everyone loved it!  The only things that were missing were Taylor and Alex.  Taylor is in the DR on his mission and Alex had to stay home for Volleyball and school.

Emily kept the boys with her that night and partied and had a sleepover while Brad and I went on up to Park City to Andy's condo.  We are so thankful that we have such a generous brother and sister-in-law.  They have let us use the place a lot over the years.  Thanks guys!

The next morning it was raining, but it was still really nice.  We picked up Emily and she and I ran into the Hinckley Building so she could meet the Pres. of BYU.  Then we dropped her off and went on over to the Marriott Center.  We got great seats.  For the convocation, I think there were around 600 graduates in the School of Humanities.  It was really nice too and this was the one where they actually call their name and give them the diploma.  Then we got to go in building where Emily spent most of her time and meet one of her professors.

  President Samuelson and wife

It was such a great weekend and we are so proud of her!  I think she is a little sad that it is all over with, but she has a great future ahead of her too.  She just found out last week that she was chosen for an internship in the Fall with the Liahona magazine!  It is really prestigious and hard to get - plus they will pay her $13 an hour while she is doing it!  I can't believe our little girl is all grown up :)

She might have been crying a little :)

The happy family minus 2

This is the cute little house that Emily will live in next year.  She will live in Provo and commute to Salt Lake to the church office building.  She is really excited about it.

Graduation Continued (a month late)

Taylor Bradley McBride - Highland High School Class of 2009

The graduating class of 2009 and Taylor is in the group up front singing. It is the Advanced Vocal Ensemble.

Graduation day - Thursday, May 21, 2009 was a gorgeous day. It was cloudy and cool and we were so excited that we wouldn't have to sit in the blistering sun. After Taylor's party, we took off to the high school with a couple of umbrellas and a couple of ponchos between the six of us - just in case. Well, almost right after we got there it started sprinkling, then started raining steadily. It rained that way for the whole entire time! Poor Ryan was freezing to death before it was over! They said that they were showing it in the gym, but we were afraid that if we left, that there wouldn't be any seats in the gym. So we stayed put and it was something we will always remember! We are proud of you Taylor. I can't believe two of our kids have already graduated!

Post Graduation Day - May 21, 2009

Alex, Taylor Emily, Danny, Ryan

Danielle Short, Taylor and

Travis Hatch and Taylor

Tauvaga Kelemete (from our old Highland Ward) and Taylor

Jacob and Taylor

Lauren Plowman and Taylor

Rachel, Taylor, Ashley and Bethany

Ashley and Taylor

Taylor and Bethany

Brad, Rachel, Taylor and Bethany

End of School Whirlwind!

We had a get-together before graduation with family and friends. I was really happy with how many people came. Emily drove all the way down from Provo and got here just in time!

JoAnn, Don, Leslie & Jeanne

Julie and Mom

Jordan, Taylor and Greg

The Sunday before graduation was Baccalaureate. It was fantastic - as Brother Butler would say! No, seriously, the program was beautiful. The best part was when the concert choir sang "Come Thou Fount". It makes me cry almost every time I here it. Afterwards, we took a few pics and Taylor was being a goof wearing his hat on the back of his head and his tie on the outside of his gown!

Brad Walker and Taylor

Taylor and Jessica Keeling

Trace Bodine?, Greg Montgomery and Taylor

Greg Montgomery, Taylor and

Alex got his driver's license and you can tell he was really excited for me to take this picture!