Kate's 6th Grade Graduation

If you were to ask Kate what her favorite part about 6th grade, I'm betting her answer would be her teacher, Mr. Mills. I never heard one complaint about that teacher. She only had good things to say. Mr Mills used to be in the Army, he played professional hockey, his wife was from Hawaii and taught their whole class how to dance "Hawaiian." She even had claim going for a while that he was good friends with Taylor Swift...all others I believe and know to be true, but I still don't believe he was good friends with Taylor Swift. 

Short story, she loved him! When your child gets a teacher that they can really look up to and trust, great things happen. My Kate has always been a good student. She is very bright and works well with others. But, I feel Mr Mills set her up to succeed in junior high. He taught her that "anything worth doing, is worth doing right." Something I had been struggling to get through to her. It's awesome when someone else can back you up as a parent! I really appreciated all he did for her.

Kate's graduation feel on the same day as Ryan's, May 26th. My emotions were on overload that day! I knew I was losing one kid soon , but one of my "little ones" was moving up on the age ladder and it was too much!

Mr Mills

Superintendent's Award for a 4.0 all year long 

good friend and neighbor, Kali 

We ended the celebration with lunch for the two of us at Applebee's.

Ryan's High School Graduation

Well, I have a child who has officially graduated form high school. I can't really describe how that feels. I feel really old, but I also feel accomplished. You spend years teaching your child the importance of working hard and learning and the graduation ceremony makes you feel like, "We did it!" Because, WE did.  A mom, a good mom, worked just as hard as that now teenager! Lots of time teaching letters, numbers, equations, reading word problems over and over because, let's face it, you both struggle with them. There was of course lots of nagging, "Did you do your homework?" "Have you turned that assignment in yet?" "Did you make up your PE days when you forgot to take your clothes?" So many more!

Ryan's ceremony was at the Huntsman Center downtown. Stansbury High is a small high school, so we were able to get great seats. There was still over 600 students graduating though. It only lasted about 45 minutes.

We moved half way through Ryan's high school years. He didn't know very many people, but he has been in the choir the for the past 2 years- which has been a life saver because of the friends he made there. They sang, "Breaking Free" from High School Musical. they did a great job!

Ryan also graduated the Pathway program. It is our school district's ATP (Applied Technology Program). Ryan completed numerous classes in the computer field. He was the only student to graduate from the Computer Programming/Software Development program- most students don't get the 3 years needed to do this, but Ryan was lucky! Ryan worked hard and graduated with an overall GPA of 3.6. Lots of hard work!

I am so proud of him! I am excited to see what the next few years have in store! Everyday, when my boys would walk out the door, I would shout, "Knock 'em dead!" I know Ryan will.

Graduating Class of 2016

receiving diploma

throwing of hats

family (we are missing a few)

Proud parents

Ryan C Merritt

Grandma Lori came to support him

Choir Buds

Heber Creeper

Right before school ended, we finished reading The Book of Mormon as a family. It is our third time to finish together. To celebrate, we took the kids to dinner and bought passes to ride the Heber Valley Railroad. we haven't ridden this train since 2001. Ryan was 3 and Aaron was 1. 

It's a fun little ride that has a train robbery, food, and entertainment. It's called the Heber Creeper because it doesn't go fast at all, but it is a neat experience to ride a steam engine. Britten loves trains and absolutely loved every minute of it!!

Ryan Graduates from Seminary

Part of graduating from high school, is graduating from our church's Seminary program. I grew up in Las Vegas, so this meant 4 years of early rising to start seminary at 6:00 am. My kids are lucky we live in Utah. here, it is offered with their regular school classes, during school hours. Ryan did it today. He graduated from Seminary!

Ryan's Senior Pictures and Graduation Announcement

My sons do not like getting pictures taken. I can usually shoot a couple myself, but I wanted some better posed ones for Ryan's graduation announcement. I knew it would be hard to convince him to play nice, so I needed to find someone who would take them that he would listen to. I was telling my good friend of my dilemma, and lucky me, she offered to do it!! I think they turned out pretty great!

Part if his graduation announcement - I forgot how to spell! I was so mad...

Kate Turns 12

My little Katie-bug is 12 today! I really can't believe how time has flown by! It seems like just a little bit ago we were watching this funny girl toddle around the house.

Kate has always been my most active kid. She loves to be outside. She loves sports, and bikes, and skateboards. You will catch her in tennis shoes, comfy pants, and t-shirts most days. She hates it when I make her dress up and curl her hair. Although, there are rare occasions she asks for it. 

Her attitude is usually a happy mood, but if you do make her mad, WATCH OUT! She isn't afraid to tell you how she feels and if she really thinks what you are requesting is unreasonable, or stupid, she's not afraid to let you know. I admit we butt heads when we don't agree, but if I hold my ground, she will eventually back down and do what she is asked. I have learned to pick my battles with her and  what I can compromise on.

Turning 12 means becoming part of  Young Women's. Kate is a Beehive! Her leaders heart-attacked the front door to welcome her. In one month she will be headed off to girl's camp for a week. I'm excited for her!

Birthday Interview

favorite color: red & black

favorite food: steak

favorite subject in school: math

favorite candy bar: Kit Kat

favorite TV show: Psych

favorite book: My Weird School series

favorite fruit: pineapple & bananas

favorite vegetable: broccoli

favorite chore: dishes (they started hand washing the dishes)

If you had 1 million dollars, what would you do with it?

pay for college, buy a house, and save the rest

What do you want to be when you grow up?

a police officer

If you could do one nice thing for anybody, what would you do?

take my parents on a cruise

Kate, we are so glad to have you! It brings me such joy to watch you learn and grow. I feel like this year you have grown so much! Happy birthday!

Kate Alexandra Merritt

4 years old, smearing sour cream all over her face

2nd grade, best friend Fatima- she was from Iraq

major Harry Potter fan

2nd grade, her favorite year in school

12 years old

Heart attack from YWs

6th grade, beginning of year

6th grade, end of year