Father/Daughter Hike

Brad and Kylie planned a "last hurrah" backpacking trip, thirty miles over four days, up near Staircase.  They ended up doing 20 miles in less than 24 hours!  Kylie got an eye infection the first night and they had to turn around and come home.

 

Here they are, blissfully unaware of what's to come! 

Crossing the bridge at Staircase.

 

Made it to the first night's camp site!

Next morning, ready to head back.

Brad's favorite spot!

They said there were all kinds of berries everywhere.

Notice Kylie is now wearing sunglasses, the light really hurt her eye.

They met up with another hiker and enjoyed his stories for a while on the way down.

Back to the river, almost there!

They made it!  Exhausted, for sure!  They were pretty disappointed not to be able to do the whole trip.  Maybe next year. 

Tri-Athlete!

Kylie competed in her first Olympic length Triathlon in Ocean Shores this weekend!

We camped overnight Friday and went to cheer her on Saturday morning.  I loved the small town atmosphere of the race.  It was easy to get to each back and forth from each event so we could cheer her on.  

First she swam 1 mile in Duck Lake

 

She was one of the few without a wetsuit!

Then she biked 25 miles.

 

The she ran 6.2 miles!

When she finished, she was tired, but said she will definitely do another one!

Kylie and "Coach Sal," her good friend Sallie, who was her inspiration and mentor. 

Sallie did a 1/2 Ironman, which Kylie aspires to do someday.

 

 

 

Way to go, Kylie!  We love you!

Presenting the Class of 2014!

My second high school graduate!  I'm telling you, once they start high school, it's all over!  The time goes so fast you hardly know what day it is. 

 

I'm so proud of Kylie's accomplishments in high school.  She maintained a 3.9 GPA, was in the National Honors Society all four years,  took three AP classes and scored well on each test, rowed crew all four years and was team captain her senior year, graduated from Seminary, performed over 200 hours of community service her senior year.  And she's a kind, thoughtful, inspiring, hardworking, determined, loyal young woman. I'm not worried one bit about her being successful in college. 

 

Nat, Katie & Kylie, waiting for the ceremony to start.

We sat right by the entrance where the graduates filed in and Ben jumped up to give Kylie a hug when she walked by.

Kylie's cap decoration

After the ceremony, it's picture time! Kylie had lots of family there to support her!

Kylie and Grandpa Tom.  He's so proud of her!

Grandma Susan, Kylie and Grandpa Tom

Ashley, Caleb, Kylie, Jane, and Grandma Vikki

Jill, me, Kylie, Brad and Ben

Sisters!  These two have become best friends over the past year. 

I'm so glad they had a year together in high school. 

The whole family!

Brad's showing Kylie he's still stronger than she is!

Audrey & Claire Marcum, Kylie & Jillian.  It's fun to see the resemblance in siblings!

Nathan Oliver & Kylie

Kylie, Katie, Sallie and Nat

Abby Leigh, Justeen Komok, Kylie & Carly Millard

Baccalaureate and Seminary Graduation

Two big rites-of-passage in one day:  Baccalaureate and Seminary Graduation!

 

Baccalaureate was first, and it was a beautiful ceremony.  I said this before when Nathan graduated, but I like this service better than the actual graduation ceremony.  There is more depth and meaning,  more focus on being a good person, one who contributes not only mentally, but spiritually to the community. 

?, Anthony McMillan, Elisabeth Chun and Kylie

 

 Katie Muir, Sallie Marx, Kylie, and Nat Godfrey

 

Then in the evening was Seminary Graduation.  I'm so proud of Kylie for finishing all four years.  It's definitely not easy getting up early every morning.  Their graduating class is an awesome group of kids who have been a great support to each other throughout their high school years.  They're all on to college or missions and will be a wonderful asset where ever they are going.  (Except John Church, he's staying here and we're glad!  He was the "senior-senior," a great example of wanting to know more about the Book of Mormon and really putting in the effort to learn.)

Rachael Bell, Noah Clark, Mike Hepworth, Jared Russell, Jacob Nowjack, Matthew Close, Kylie, Harrison Amelang, John Church

Teachers:  Tom Bell and Mike Amelang

Kylie's Prom

Our beautiful girl!

 She went from climbing and chain-sawing trees one weekend to dressing up like a princess the next! 

 

Pinning the corsage on her date, Tor Eimon.  Tor is good friends with Nathan Oliver, her longtime childhood friend.  He asked her to Prom by bringing flowers to her car and waiting for her after crew practice. She was very excited and said he's kind and respectful. 

 

Kylie and Tor

 

 

Kylie and Nathan. They've come a long way since 1st grade!

Brad was particularly happy to hear Kylie say Tor is respectful!

 

 

Grandpa bursting with pride!

The girls:  Sarah (Nathan's girlfriend), Justeen (Kylie's best friend) and Kylie

 

Nathan, Alex, Tor,

Sarah, Justeen, and Kylie

 

Isn't she stunning?

 

 

I wanted pictures of all angles of her hair.  Justeen's mom did a beautiful job!

 

 

 

They didn't quite have a limo, but Nathan decorated the family van with white lights!