Eric graduates from Cottonwood High School

Congrats Eric!  Our First Graduate!

June 1st, 2012

 

Well, he did it!  Eric graduated from Cottonwood!  It's been a long 12 years of school....actually, I'm wondering where the time has gone...how has he been in school for 12 years?  Seriously, how is this possible? 

 

Here are some cool pics to mark the special occasion...

 

I put this stuff on Eric's bed for him to find on the last day of school.  So cute, huh?  A little graduation bear, and look at that cute card.  Yes, I made it.  :)  The other stuff?  Random dollar store items, but hey, they still count! 

 

 

Here is a picture of Eric before graduation.  He was still getting ready at this point, but I couldn't wait!  (He was a little annoyed with me, but I figure that's my job, right?)  :)

 

And one more before heading out the door....see all those cool cords hanging around his neck?  They represent some honors he earned, but I can't remember what they all are....one was for 3.7 GPA or higher, I think one was for lettering in Music and the last one?  Not sure....darn!  But we are so proud!  :)  (No, we really are).  He worked really hard for those!

 

 

Before the ceremony....looking all grown up and cute.  UGH!  Am I ready for this?

 

Waiting for the ceremony to start....

 

But first....a musical number!  Eric is on the front, right-hand side, second man in.  Cute little singer!

And one more, except I think this one was at the end of the ceremony....one last time in this choir...

 



The proud Mama!  I get to be the first with him to take a picture.  Period.  End of discussion.  :)

 



 

Now, all the friends....I don't know all of their names, but I'm going to try my best...Here goes...

 

Eric and Jayme Loveland

 



 Jayde Ford, Eric, and Kacee Greeff

 



 

Kevin Ponce and Eric

 



Eric and ?  (have no idea, sorry)...

 

 

Ashleigh Hand and Eric

 

 

Kevin Ponce, Adam Wilkinsen (drama teacher) and Eric

 



John Duffy and Taylor Szemerey

 



Rachel Colby, Taylor Szemerey, James Steur (played Charlie Brown in the play), Haley Merrill (played Peppermint Patty in the play), John Duffy, Eric, and Kevin Ponce

 

John Duffy, Eric, and James Steur

 

 

Eric and Haley Merrill

Eric and ? (have no idea again)...

 



 

 

Eric and Mr. Sullivan ( aka "Sully"--choir teacher)

 

 



After graduation was over, and all the hugs were hugged, and all the tears were shed, Todd and I took Eric out to Olive Garden for a late dinner.  It was really nice to be there with him.  Afterwards Eric went back to Cottonwood and "partied" until 4 am, when the party ended.  What an awesome way to to go out....

 

Eric has had an amazing Senior year!  Really, it doesn't get much better than what he experienced.  I think he loved it and I'm so glad he will have great memories of his Cottonwood years...We are so proud of you Eric!  You are destined for great things!  Keep up the good work!

 

 







And one last picture of the graduate himself!  What a crazy dude!  But we love him!

 



Last Day of School June 2012

(Okay, yeah, I'm really behind on blogging...I'm aware, I'm aware, but I'm just going to dig in as if it just happened, so here goes)...

 

School is OUT!  Holy cow!  Can you believe it is summer?  I'm ready for a break from school, and we are doing some fun things this summer, so bring it on, I say!  Here are some pictures of the kids on the last day of school....

Jacob came home with his shirt totally "signed" by all of his classmates.  He thought that was so clever and cool.  I can still remember when Eric came home that first year with his shirt "autographed" and I thought, "What did you do to your shirt?"  I've come a long way since then....now I say, "Here, use this one, or this one....oh heck, take two!"  :)

Jacob was on the honor roll the entire year, so here he is holding his last certificate for 3rd trimester.  What a little cutie, smartie pants!  :)

Beware of the bragging.....speaking of smart, Dallin got 19 out of 25 questions correct for Math Olympiads.  It's a math competition that kids all around the world compete in.  Math Olympiad tests are given several times throughout the year.....there are 25 questions.  Because Dallin got 19 correct, he got a pin, trophy, and certificate, and was among the top 8% of all those kids involved.  I've seen these questions and they are HARD!  Way to go, Dallin!  You are so awesome!  (And of course he got on the honor roll too, but for some reason I didn't put that picture in....ugh!)

And more bragging....Brandon got 4 awards this year in the 9th grade awards assembly.

 

Here they are close up....but they're still a little hard to read, so I'll tell you what they are:

1.  Certificate of Excellence for band

2.  Citizenship award for 3.9 or above CPA

3.  Certificate of Excellence for biology

4.  Scholarship award for 3.8 or above cummulative GPA

So awesome!  Congrats Brandon.  Those are great achievements!

Kyle got on the honor roll all year also, but he wouldn't let me take his picture....so here is the first attempt. 

Top part of the face.....getting closer....

Whole face, no smile.....we'll take it! :)  Good job Kyle! We are so proud of you!

And here's Eric on his last day of school....chillin' on his guitar!

Here he is right before graduation, all dressed up. He received a couple of "cords" too.  One for 3.7 or above GPA and he lettered in music also.  (I think there was one more, too, but for the life of me, I can't remember what it was---so sad).  Great job, Eric.  Great way to leave your high school experience...

The proud parents of our first graduate!  (more to come)...



We are so proud of all of our children!  They are all unique and talented.  How awesome it is to be their parents!

"You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown"

Eric was in another play in May.  He played Snoopy in "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown."  He was totally AWESOME!  And I'm not making that up either, or just saying it because I'm his mother.....He really was GREAT!

Eric had 3 solos, and before the play, I kept wondering how he would do.  He wouldn't sing in front of me, so I wasn't sure how he would sound.  The opening night, I sat on the edge of my seat.....until he opened his mouth to sing the first few words of his first song.  My mouth dropped open and I just sat there in shock.  I looked to my right to Todd, then to my left, to my Mom, and we all had dumbfounded looks on our faces.  I had no idea he could sing.....I mean, really sing! I knew he could sing on key, but I didn't realize that he was GOOD!  I mean, really GOOD!  I'm talking vibrato and everything, baby!  The works!  And from that moment on, I couldn't take my eyes off of that amazing boy!  And actually, I've got to say, that the entire cast was the BEST!  Everyone sang so well, and played their parts perfectly.  It was one of the best musicals I've seen and I couldn't stay away from any of the 3 performances.

Here are a few pics to show you how cute they were..... (and sadly, the pics aren't great, not real clear, but trust me, it was wonderful)....

Eric was either on top of the doghouse, or inside of it, about 90% of the play.  He had a little portable fan in his house, some water, and a few snacks.  It was SO hot in the theater room.....I can't imagine what it was like in the doghouse....

I kept missing the end poses of each song before the lights went out too quickly....that's why it's so dark.

Eric is howling right here....and I gotta say, he sounded just like a dog!

Random pictures...

Eric had an amazing scene called "The Red Baron."  It was sooo funny and he was so good (I know I keep saying that, but it's true)...

That is Sally and Snoopy....staring at each other.  Eric turns to the audience after a minute and says, "They hate it when you stare at them like this."

These next couple of pictures were taken during the "Suppertime" song.  Oh man, did he ever steal the show with this one.....I'm still in shock when I think about it....crazy!

The end, when everyone comes out and bows. 

I wish I had a video of this play.  I could watch it everyday.  But I guess, I'll have to live with the memories and the SHOCK of my talented son!  Way to go, Eric!  You were the best Snoopy ever!

Brandon's Spring Concert

Brandon had his final band concert in April.  Every year this concert is supposed to be outside in the courtyard, but sadly, every year it has rained, so they've had to move it inside.  This year, however, it didn't rain and it was such an amazing concert.  The weather was perfect for the evening and they did such a great job!

Here's Brandon in the Jazz Band, playing his alto saxophone....

Here's another one....

And here he is in the concert band, playing his flute (except that he appears to be taking a break right now)....What a talented young man!  Brandon was awesome and it was one of my favorite concerts ever!  The band teacher, Mr. Mansfield, is such a great teacher.  Brandon has really enjoyed him the last three years, and I am sad that he is graduating from Bonneville now.....but I guess Brandon will have other adventures at Cottonwood, right?  (But we will miss you, Mr. Mansfield)....Keep up the GREAT work!!  (Oh, and Brandon will visit for sure).

On a side note, we just started Brandon in private flute lessons last week.  He is very excited.  We have tried to find a teacher who teaches both the flute and the alto sax, but we didn't have much luck.  So, we'll try the flute for now and see how it goes....Brandon will be playing both instruments in high school, of course.  Crazy kid!  (I can't even get a sound out of either one)...Good job, Brandon!  You are awesome!

Sweethearts Dance--March 2012

Eric went to Sweethearts with Jayde.  I think she is so cute!  :)  The pre-dance activity was spent at Fashion Place Mall playing a game of scavenger hunt....fun stuff, eh?  (And cheap too). I think they had lots of fun trying to find everything on the list....

They also got a treat at the pretzel place....

....and attempted to eat a life-sized sucker!  :)

....and acted a little silly in the Hallmark store....

...and pretty much everywhere else, also.

Here are some cute pictures of Eric and Jayde before the dance....

Look at her cute shoes....

I love this picture too....so sweet!

Okay, and this one.....

They went to Spaghetti Factory for dinner and then went to the dance.

It was a fun night, of course.  And as I recall, Eric was home before midnight, which was a bonus for his tired parents.  Good job son!