I smile because we are family...

...I laugh because there is nothing you can do about it!

Since my parents and sister Kirsten, and my sister Lisa and her familiy were here for Tyler and Quintin's graduations, we took some time to take some family pictures. It's been a little while...4 years for my family. Our awesome niece Pene was so gracious to come and take them for us. We were missing my brothers and their families and were sad that they weren't able to make it. They plan on taking more pictures when they all get together this Summer for my grandma's 90th birthday.

 My Parents and Sisters

(L-R: Julie, Dad, Mom, Lisa, Me and Kirsten in front)

 With our Spouses

(L-R: Bob & Julie, Dad & Mom, Chris & I, Jordan & Lisa, and Kirsten)

All the Grandkids

(L-R: Back Row-Zachary, Lauren, Tyler & Brynnly; Middle Row-McKenna, Grandpa, Grandma, Quintin & Brooklynn; Front Row-Adelaide, Braxton, Ivy, Sinjin, LaRue & Matilda)

 The Whole Gang

 Our Family - May 2016

 Lauren - 16 years old

The one of the left was taken in April 2016. She hates it, but I love it!

 Brooklynn - 10 years old

McKenna - 13 years old & LaRue - 12 years old

(We didn't get one of just McKenna)

And, we didn't take any of Tyler because we had just taken his Senior Pictures. But just so he doesn't feel left out...here is the official yearbook picture.

Pomp & Circumstance

I had to document this day because it was pretty amazing. It is hard to believe that our firstborn son, Tyler, is old enough to graduate from high school! My mama heart is bursting with pride for his accomplishment but being torn into little pieces at the thought of him leaving the nest. Does this mean I will have to rename my blog now?? Crazy to think we are here at this point. So much can be said of his high school years and all the memories that have been made, but I will stick to graduation night. We had the 7:30pm time slot which really stunk! It was dark outside and hard to find everyone and pictures turned out crummy and it was even a bit chilly if you can believe it. All that aside, the ceremony was great and we were happy to cheer on our boy! I had to choke back tears all night long so as not to embarrass him.

Tyler's Graduation Announcements - I wanted a photo card and Tyler wanted the traditional/formal card so we did both!

Front

Back

I'm glad I took a picture before we left - they ended up making him take off the stickers. They were pretty strict. The "O" is for Orem and #33 was his football jersey number.

Inside the UCCU Events Center at UVU

So I guess I have to document the good, the bad and the ugly to be fair. Our school has some pretty strict rules concerning graduation. You can only wear 1 lei, you can NOT decorate your cap, you can NOT do ANYTHING even remotely CRAZY to draw unnecessary attention to yourself and detract from other students. They take this pretty seriously. For the most part, everyone was pretty calm, however, Tyler and a few others brought their own style...which cost him. It was a damper on the evening but in the end, we worked it all out. We didn't think anything that anyone did was that bad and certainly didn't warrant holding back his diploma, but that's what happened. Even after talking to the principal, he admitted that he would not have held his diploma but some of the teachers get a little carried away holding to the letter of the law. Oh well, what are you going to do!

Tyler snapchatting during graduation

Tyler and his cute girlfriend, McKenna. 

Family Support

The parentals

Grandpa, Grandma & Kirsten Guptill came down from Washington

Julie & Lisa and their kiddos givin' Tyler some love!

The Lolohea/Maumau/Anitoni Bunch

I don't think I got one picture with all of them.

We sure loved having our Polynesian roots here with the leis and the love!

The night was so crazy we only managed to get a picture of one of Tyler's friends, Spencer. I love the look of pure happiness on Tyler's face!

Well, it is FINALLY official! About a week after graduation we were able to go pick up his diploma. 

So, now we look forward to the future. Tyler is taking some time to decide what he wants to do. He was accepted to the University of Utah, Southern Utah University, Utah State University and Weber State University. He won't be 18 until August and also is deciding on when to turn in his mission papers. 

He's All Grown Up Now

I can't believe our first born is a Senior and about to graduate! I put together a little collage of pictures from Pre-School to Senior year. 

Here are some of my favorite pictures from his Senior Session in April 2016:

A little about Tyler and his High School years: Tyler LOVED sports! He played Football, Wrestled and did several of the field events in Track & Field for Orem High School. On the side he loved Church Ball and played a little Intramural Basketball. Football was his real passion and he did very well all through high school. We loved watching his football games and he was blessed to remain relatively injury free throughout the years. He played both Defense & Offense over the years and has played Outside & Middle Linebacker, Offensive Tackle, Defensive End, Tight End & Special Teams. He loves to hit hard! He wrestled for 3 years while taking his Sophomore year off for an injury. His Junior year he took 6th in State and his Senior year he took 4th. Wrestling was something he did mainly to keep in shape for Football. He had some really great coaches and did really good. We all learned a lot from Wrestling and it was for sure the toughest sport he did all around. Track & Field was something he did for fun. He loved that it wasn't high stress and enjoyed the friends and road trips probably most of all. Through the years he did Shot Put, Javelin, Discus and occasionally Long Jump. He made it to State in both his Junior & Senior Year for Discus taking 9th and 8th place respectively. Sports was a huge part of his life and it taught him many life lessons. We loved every minute of every game, tournament and meet.

Spring Break 2014!

First Day of School 2013-2014

And just like that, BAM!, summer is over and school has begun! School started on August 20th and because I had already started working, all the first day rituals and photography responsibilities fell to Chris.

Tyler started the 10th grade and is officially at the High School now. Unfortunately, this is also the year they decided to eliminate bus service. We tried to fight it but lost. Bummer.

Lauren is now an 8th grader and is so happy not to be a "Sevy" anymore. Luckily she still gets to ride a bus...which she really hates because everyone is sooo immature now! :0)

McKenna is a 5th grader and has Mr. Crandall. We are super excited because he is one of the best teachers EVER! Side Note - He has been teaching for 34 years and used to teach some of these kids parents!

 

Brooklynn is in the 2nd grade this year with Mrs. Almberg who is an amazing teacher and all of our kids have had her. After this year she can quit if she wants to. I'm out of kids!

And, it wasn't my first day at work but I guess I had to have a picture taken too...thanks a lot KT! This year I am working at the front desk at McKenna and Brooklynn's school. It's perfect and I love working there. I love our school and everyone I get to work with.

One thing I really do miss though now that I am working is my morning walks. I don't get to walk the girls to school and get my daily exercise in. I miss the socializing time with friends too. Roxy doesn't get walked either and she really misses it.

 

Our traditional shot with McKenna and her friends. 

 

(L-R: Morgan, Katelin & McKenna)

 

McKenna and Brooklynn.