Max graduates!

On Sunday, June 4, Max graduated from seminary, and on Friday, June 9, he graduated from high school! 

He gave a great talk at the seminary graduation at our stake center and they had to raise the podium up a fair bit for his height. Here he is with Andy Loosle afterward.

And here are all the graduates from our stake.

Before heading into the Huntsman Center on Friday night, we took some photos outside.

This is with Colin and Andy.

The diploma-awarding moment with the principal

Afterward with Mom and Dad before he went to the school all-night celebration.

The event was quite long, as he had a large graduating class. I got choked up when they called his name and he raised his arms in triumph. I remember his first day of kindergarten so clearly. 

He graduated with the Ram medallion and with honor cords and with a captain's medal. He worked hard every day and took challenging classes each year -- even when others were relaxing their senior year. He just knew he had to find time for homework and assignments and we never had to worry.

He was accepted into every college he applied, including the University of Utah, Utah State University, Southern Utah University, Utah Valley University, and Brigham Young University. He has decided to attend BYU! He will defer til after his mission. 

We love you, Max, so much and are so proud.

Coyote Gulch

 June 2-3, the priests in our ward went on an overnight camping and hiking trip to Coyote Gulch in southern Utah.

This is quite the hike -- first you drop down into a crack.

And they had to squeeze through slots.

Some spots along the way had water.

And places to find shade.

When they camped for the night they were ready to rest and eat.

What a beautiful camping spot!

Day 2 hiking.

Jacob Hamblin Arch.

Coming back up and out.

At the cars again!

I am so grateful for Bishop Harrington and Tim Welsch and JB for going with these young men. They had great conversations as they hiked and they all learned how to do hard things.

Lagoon trips

 We got our Lagoon seasons passes on Saturday, May 20.  

I want to recreate this photo in 10, 20 years or so.

James and Andrew rode Cannibal for the first time. 

Here they are all in line.

Then in their seats in a row.

And Ben behind JB.

They did great! Their hair went all over the place and their tummies jumped, they said.

Millie wanted to ride the Carousel, so these big boys went from a super thriller ride to a round and round on horses ride.

Odysea is a fun one.

Then on Memorial Day, while JB and Max and Ben were hiking, I took Andrew, James and Millie to Lagoon where we met the Richards cousins — including those from Idaho.

I always forget about this ride, it's a flying ships ride.

James and Kate rode together.

These cousins rode on a few rides together and loved it.

James, Andrew and Phin did Colossus and had fun . (I close my eyes on this one when I get the courage to do it.)

I don't think I had ever done Music City. The girls car laughed and laughed.

And these boys slid all to one side and they laughed, too.

James and Andrew did Cannibal again! Look at their hair after they got done. Below that are two photos of us on Rattlesnake Rapids, when the boys were trying to protect Silas from getting wet.

When Andrew and James did Cannibal (I put them in line by themselves and implored them to not fight!), Mille and I went to the bumper cars nearby. She had her mouth open in joy and her gym flew out when we bumped somebody else.

The Richards all piled onto the train together. Jane took a photo from her end...

...and Collette took a photo from her end.

Let's do it again soon!