SENIOR TRIP '09

My how the times have changed. When I grew up there were no such thing as 'Senior Trips', now it's just one more tradition. Trellany and her 8 bestest friends planned their Senior Trip to Oxnard, California. Well they started out with the criteria that they wanted to go to the Beach. After researching several different areas in California from Mission Beach, Oceanside, Dana Point and Oxnard it came down to the almighty dollar. Then they found out that you had to be '25' to rent any week long vacation rental and so that required a 'Chaperon'. I was so lucky because they asked me to be their 'Chaperon'...it was truly an honor and privilege to spend a week with these beautiful, wonderful young ladies. We found a nice 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo just a few steps from the beach in Oxnard and it was wonderful.

Beach at 'Sunset'

Four of the eight (Courntey, Brianna, Cheyenne & Trellany)

First night arriving we went to 'In and Out Burger'. That was an experience in itself. We walked into this really busy 'In and Out Burger' and I'm not kidding you the restaurant was packed and when these 8 girls opened the doors to enter...the whole room stopped, went silent and looked at my girls. I knew then I was in trouble (especially since we had been travelling all day and totally were scummed out). It wasn't to soon that I looked over and one of the boys Basketball teams from Ventura had them all circled around them talking and inviting them to hang out with all of them. I thought...oh boy...here we go.

Sunday we took a day trip to 'Solvang' a quaint little town about 80 miles North near Santa Barbara. Courtney's parents told us about it. It's a little 'Dutch' town where a family came from the Netherlands in like 1920 or something and settled this beautiful town. It is built like the Netherlands, tons of little shops that feature Dutch and Swiss antiques, artwork and delicious bakeries and Dutch food. It was so much fun.

Overlooking the Santa Barbara area.

'Booty Call' - 8 bathing beauties.

The beach was beautiful, soft sand, great waves cool weather. The weird thing was that there wasn't a sole on the beach the entire week we were there. I think we may have seen 10 people the entire time and 5 of those were on Friday before we left. So the girls had a mile of beach all to themselves. They set up field lines and played 'Football', Frisbee etc.

Trellany, Kylee and Brianna entertaining themselves doing handstands.

Now let's do 'Cartwheels'...

Not sure what it is about 'Jumping' but this seems to be a necessity. I don't think we have a trip without a 'jumping' shot.

This is another 'tradition' that we've gotten into whenever we go on a vacation. 'Tie Dye'. So here the girls are making their 'Tie Dye' T-Shirts so when we go to Magic Mountain I won't loose them.

Seagulls on the beach..the girls had fun feeding them chips and crackers and then watching them fly and fight to get to the food.

Here's all of us in 'Solvang'...Someone offered to take the picture so at least I could be in one and prove that I was there with them...I joked with the person and told them I was the original 'OctoMom'...because these were my 8 - 18 year olds....heheh.

A little store in 'Solvang'. Even 'Edward' had visited.

There was a childrens store in 'Solvang' and when I walked in this adorable 'Little Piggy' was center stage of the store and it just was the cutest thing ever. So I couldn't resist snapping a picture.

Can you imagine walking around with all these beautiful girls...they really did make an entrance wherever we went. It was crazy..

Driving back to Oxnard and the girls thought it was pretty funny that there was actually a 'Santa Clause' Lane.

'RockBand' - these girls are really good.

I was so lucky - I got to go to 'Magic Mountain' with them and I actually got a picture for once with my daughter. It's a miracle.

The gates opened and the girls took off to get to X2 - it was crazy. Sneed one of their friends drove all night to join us at Magic Mountain as this would be his last crazy adventure before he left for his mission. Needless to say...I think a lot of boys were envious that here's this guy with 6 beautiful girls all to himself. It was a lot of fun.

Sneed on the beach one last time before he took off to go home.

Here we go 'Jumping' again.

What I do best...WORK...can you believe it...on vacation and I'm working...somebody HELP me.

Kylee, Diane, Trellany & Whitner - boy am I glad the beach was quiet. They are all too cute.

Now it's 'Long Boarding' time...seriously this could be an AD for 'PACSUN' or something.

There they go..cruising 'Oxnard' - Long Board style.

'Le Freak'...for one fun night they put together a dance routine to 'Le Freak' by Chic...it was absolutely hysterical.

Kylee, Diane, Trellany, Brianna, Cheyenne, Whitney & Courtney

Hall pose...seriously can you get anymore wilder & crazier than this? Such wonderful memories.

The girls at their best...playing in the ocean...it doesn't get any better.

Diane, Cheyenne, Trellany, Brianna, Jessica

Group Hug...they truly are the bestest friends.

Jessica, Trellany, Diane, Cheyenne, Kylee, Whitney, Courtney and Brianna

Photo Time...how fun for me to be able to take a few hours and photo shoot these girls. They are all so photogenic. The beach and landscaping were perfect for a fun photo op.

The girls...

Loving each other...well loving Trellany..

Beautiful girls.

Strike a pose and let's get to it...

and I say 'Jump'..

Someone built this awesome little boat...so of course we had to get a picture before the surf washed it away.

Row Row your boat..

Jessica, Diane, Trellany, Cheyenne, Whitney

Brianna, Courtney and Kylee

This picture truly depicts who they are to each other..I love this and will see where they are all at 10 years from now. I think a 10 year reunion would be fun.

Whitney, Trellany, Cheyenne, Diana, Jessica

Brianna, Courtney & Kylee

Graduation 2009

May 21st, 2009 - Was a very special day. Not only was it my 44th birthday, but it was Trellany's graduation from Gilbert High School. It's hard to imagine that 18 years ago this beautiful little baby girl was brought into this world and now she's grown into this amazing, wonderful 'Angel' of a daughter. Not only did Trellany graduate with a 4.0 GPA but also was awarded the 'Stake President Award' for Seminary. She has become such a wonderful young lady. Although her journey through child hood and teenager years as come to a close her young adult and adult life is just beginning. Trellany has had an incredible 18 years and I know that the next 80+ will be filled with just as much fun, joy and engergy that she has because the one thing Trellany knows how do to, and that is ENJOY LIFE...the sky is truly the limit for her and I know that no matter what direction she chooses she will find "Joy In The Journey", because that is Trellany Joy. We love you so much baby girl and you will forever be our 'Angel'.

Congratulations and this great accomplishment...here's looking to the next phase of your life.


Graduation night, just before she received her diploma.

Even in the rain..you are beautiful.

Receiving the diploma.

Attending 'Baccularette'

Diane, Whitney, Tava and Trellany

Whitney, Trellany, Nathan Smith & Diane

Trell, Whit, Alexa, Diane, Tiffany

We are so proud of all that you've accomplished.

Diane, Trellany, Nanna & Courtney

Senior Dinner Party with all the friends and family that Trellany has grown up with. It was so much fun. Nanna gave each of the girls a blown glass necklace to celebrate their graduation accomplishment.

These are the Best Friends that made it all the way through high school.
Whitney Dunn, Trellany, Kylee Jarigan, Cheyenne Hickle, Diane Tomoschiwozk, Jessica Bowyer, Brianna Carter (not pictured Courtney Sorenson) she had to leave early for her EVIT graduation.

"Rigatony & Cheese" - These guys are amazing and they came and entertained the girls for a few hours at the dinner.

Trellany, Diane & Whitney - getting ready to go to graduation. Celebrating that they are graduating in 2009 with their fingers.

Graduation stage...who would have thought that the end of May we would have to worry about the 'Rain'...well it decided to rain and the question is what do you do with 800+ students. You do your best and hope the 'Rain' might just sprinkle during the ceremony. Well it rained not too hard so we weren't too wet by the time it was over, but it will definetly be a memorable night. Where the sunshines 300+ days a year and the one day we needed it to not rain, it rained. Oh well, it at least kept the weather cool where we could have been sitting in 110+ degress and dying from heat stroke, so I'll take the rain any day.

Nanna sitting in the rain - and of course everything has to color match even down to her umbrella. Oh Nanna...we love you so much.

Trennon and Papa John enjoying the cool weather.

Trellany taking her graduation walk. She's in the first line walking, 1st one on the left (or closest to the photo.

Diane, Trellany & Cheyenne

Coach Grover with his Stat girls from Volleyball - Diane & Trellany. They absolutely love Coach Grover. He's the BEST!!

Brother & Sister - We will be here again in another 2 years for Trennon.

Brother and Sister - we'll be here for Bromley in 6 more years and then we are done.

Trellany & Cheyenne - beautiful girls.

Trellany & Tiffany - Volleyball buddies.

Trellany & Brianna - I love this pic as it truly shows how much they love each other. They will be best friends forever.

Trellany & Kylee - Best Friends.

The 'Boys Varisty Volleyball' team. Even off the court they adore their 'Stat' girls. Congratulations to all of those who graduated.
You are ALL Winners!!