Saturday, May 14, 2016

Graduation/Rehearsal BBQ

We topped off our spectacular Saturday with a Graduation/Rehearsal BBQ out at Lake Nasworthy.  I had brainstormed options with Deja "earlier." I asked if she'd be willing to help me so that I could be at the rehearsal and still pull this off. Not only, Deja, but all of Team A jumped in to help. The plan was for us to go shopping early in the week and then spend a day pre-cooking......when we broke down, Doug and Deja took over. We lost four days. They pulled this together. We are so thankful! 
Deja & De'Etta

Alex & Everson 

Coach Armstrong and Jamin

Rousing conversation


Doug and the guys

It was a blast to have Michel and Steven here!

Yes, you. 

Tiffany and Warren give Jared a graduation gift

Warren (Larissa's Dad) and Jared

The Tassel was worth the hassle



Josiah

Steve

Who invited him? 

Jerome - Earl and Mary's son - Cousin from CO

Last photo together as singles - the next time Jared sees Larissa she'll be coming down the aisle. 

After all left the groomsmen played basketball, Earl, Mary, Michael and I visited. It was a great day.  

JaRissa's Wedding Rehearsal

We had one hour between graduation and Jared and Larissa's Wedding Rehearsal!  We actually arrived a bit early so Michael could meet with the couple and the Wedding Planner. 
Ditch the gown and add a bouquet

It was fun to find out Annie Z was their wedding planner. We've made some fun memories with the Z Team when we live here....and look at these kids adulting all over the place. Penny, the wedding photographer, was another one of the "kids" from our Goodfellow days.

Some of the groomsmen make an entrance


Getting organized....Steven and Michel H are adopted brothers


Tiffany and Warren - Larissa's Stepmom and Dad

Larissa with her parents
 




This was the smoothest wedding rehearsal I've attended - we were out of there in 45 minutes and heading to the Graduation/Rehearsal dinner at the Lake.

Jared's Graduation

A day Jared worked for long and hard - GRADUATION - Magna Cum Laude! We're proud of all that Jared accomplished in the past four years. It's not easy to work your way through college, and to do that while leading an active social life AND serving on Student Government (as rep, senator and then President) is especially awe-inspiring.

We were an excited crowd when we met at Junell Auditorium for Jared's graduation from ASU.
Jamin and Michel

Nolan & Arielle

The man of the hour

Jared- in profile




Congrat from Dean of Poli Sci department


Spot our graduate - hint blue Student Government sash





Jared and the brothers

Jared and the Sisters (Larissa is the girl's sister not his)

Jared and Veronica - Larissa's mother

Me, Earl (Michael's brother) Jared, Mary (Earl's wife) Michael 

 Nearly all of us - BreZaak and Bella weren't able to travel
F - Stacia, Krista, Me, Larissa
B - Arielle, Nolan, Alex, Jared,Josiah, Michael, Jamin 




You done good!


*Text from the write up in the paper, ASU website and program: 
Jared G was nominated by the Department of Political Science and Philosophy. A political science major with communication minor, he received the B.T. Taylor Memorial Scholarship. His academic performance merited him induction into the Alpha Chi and Phi Kappa Phi national honor societies, as well as the Pi Sigma Alpha political science honor society and Lambda Pi Eta communication honor society. He also presented research at the National Alpha Chi Convention. His extensive involvement in the ASU Student Government Association (SGA) earned him selection as Student Senator of the Year for 2012-13 and election as ASU student body president for 2014-15.  
As SGA president, Jared G led efforts to launch the Ram Tram public transportation system, worked to strengthen ties between the university and the community, and represented the student body on the search committee for ASU’s new provost and vice president for academic affairs. He also completed a semester-long internship at Congressman Michael Conaway’s office in Washington, D.C., and worked as a regional field manager for Governor Mike Pence’s re-election campaign in Indiana during his senior year. Following graduation, Jared G plans to begin a career in business and hopes to pursue a career in public office. 

Shamelessly taken from Riss' Facebook Wall

I just have to say - "Not bad for a socially awkward, can't compete in the real world with a mommy diploma, homeschooler!" Beware of sterotypes y'all!  And to all my fellow-homeschool moms in the trenches....hang in there, it's worth it.

Note - from here we moved on to rehearsal and rehearsal/grad dinner - more posts to follow. LOL