Class of 2011 - Hilary's Graduation

This is the first of many “catch up” posts. Since I have my blog printed up in book form each year, I want to document certain things even if I’m late posting about them.

Hilary and Ethan graduated with honors from Shasta College on May 27th. It was such a wonderful evening! My Mom graciously treated us (yes, all 15) to dinner at Cattlemen’s before graduation. What a great time of fellowship we had around the table – Grandma, Uncle Wes, Bob, me, Hilary, Lyle, Ethan, Ted, John and Peggy (Ethan’s parents), Hannah (Ethan’s sister) Aaron and Christy (Ethan’s brother and girlfriend), and Larry and Melissa (good friends/neighbors of Ethan’s family). After the ceremony, everyone came to our house for cheesecake and fellowship.

The graduation was LONG but nice! It was soooo cold. I had a new outfit to wear, but ended up wearing winter clothes. Hilary had on her big winter coat under her graduation gown. Hilary graduated with three AA degrees – Engineering, Mathematics, and Quantitative Reasoning (don’t ask me what that means).

Gramz, Hilary, and Uncle Wes

Our Family

Hilary and Ethan with Ethan's parents

Hilary, I can't begin to tell you how proud I am of you. I've been given the opportunity to watch you grow form an incredibly cute little baby into a beautiful young woman. You have achieved so much in such a short time that it’s hard for me to keep track of it all. Only yesterday you were just a short chubby-cheeked little girl and now you have graduated from Shasta College and will be heading to Humboldt State University. Though it may seem to you that it’s taken forever to reach this point, it has happened all too quickly for me. I’ll admit here that it saddens me to see you start the rest of your life, however it cannot compare to how happy and proud I am that you are so well prepared and dedicated to your dreams. Never lose sight of those dreams and never compromise anything to reach them. No matter what has happened in the past or what will happen in the future, always know that I love you and will always be here for you. You have made us so proud, and I know that you will continue to do so during your time at Humboldt. Congratulations Hilary!

And, just for fun, here's a picture of me graduating from Shasta College in June of 1979. (Notice the long gunny sack dress.)