My Baby Turns 18 and is Almost a High School Graduate!

We celebrated Brianna turning 18 and her upcoming graduation this past Saturday, May 30th (actual bday is the 31st). Had a BBQ, games and fun at our home (for a stark comparison to the lush green you see in our current yard - scroll down to December posts for the many feet of snow we had):

Lots of great kids having a good time:
Brianna and Alyssa - friends since before kindergarten - now graduating and going on to BYU:

Michelle, Brianna, Hannah and Taylor playing badmitten:

Ethan showing off his hula hooping while skateboarding skills:

"Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you..."

"Happy Birthday dear Brianna. Happy Birthday to you!" (you can't beat a good Costco cake!)

Allen and Leslie - neighbors from the beginning and friends forever!:

Jeff and Jillian - so glad they moved into our ward!:

Ky and Aly - a picture says enough!:

Hannah, Michelle and Brianna - a parent is sure grateful when their kid chooses great friends!

Kenzie and Taylor:

Brianna, Parker, Hannah and Michelle enjoying their cake: (mostly wanted to get a pic of Parker when he wasn't looking - he'd been dodging me all evening! Check out my pretty fuschias too!):

Paul and Amy - not too shabby for happy parents of a high school graduate! -- Wait a second - didn't I just graduate?

One last pic of Brianna at her party with Jarred and Jenna:

I am truly grateful that Brianna entered our family 18 years ago and made me a MOM! She paved the way for her 3 siblings superbly and continues to shine a VERY BRIGHT LIGHT for them and others to follow (including her mom!)

And that, my friends, CATCHES this blog up! Now, I've got a week and a half to get this place ship shape, before graduation on June 11th!