Payton Graduates High School, Class of 2016

This past weekend we headed to Billings for Payton’s High School Graduation! We got into town on Friday night about 9:00 and went over to the Smyle’s house for Mckenna’s party and to see my parents because they were there. There were a ton of people that were there and it is always so fun to see them an catch up. We saw Sheri and Justin which is always a treat! We love them!

Saturday morning the boys got up and went golfing at 7 am and I woke up to help my mom get ready for the party but she was up at 3 along with my dad because Graham woke them up, and of course they couldn’t go back to sleep. So there wasn’t much to do except wait for Graham to wake up and when he did, you could say I was pretty dang happy because it had been TWO weeks! So of course, we played hide and go seek in Grandma's closet.

We hung out and got ready and headed over to Jay and Marsha’s for the party. That was at 9:30, the party started at 10 and the boys still were not back yet. In other words they were in trouble with Robbin. Apparently Justin and Jerry were quite entertaining as usual and they had a good time!

The party was from 10-12 and he was doing it with Nick Tranel, Austin Zacher, and Parker. It was consistently busy the whole time and was a lot of fun! It was really good to see a bunch of people! They served brunch that included farmer’s casserole, fruit, parfaits, ham with mustard sauce, and cinnamon rolls.

The older Payton gets the easier it is to get him to take pictures of/with and to get him to smile the first time. It is WAY less painful and I’m loving it! Hence the pictures below and every other picture he is in.

After Payt’s party, Garrett and I went with my parents to a few other graduation parties. First we went to my cousin Rylee’s and let’s talk about how good the Root Beer Float slushies’ were. Holy cow I’m still dreaming about them. They had a really cute set up with really yummy food as well and we practiced our corn hole. After that we went to Logan Nelson’s party and they had a really fun s’more bar and we messed around in the photo booth. It was quite the struggle. When Garrett and I first went in the guy told us to touch the screen and it would start counting down and so we did that and started posing and there weren’t any pictures being taken. Then we realized we had to push the circle on the screen and then it would start. We were dying. Then we find out later that Debbie and Jerry Smyle did the same thing. HAHA. Then we went in with my parents and... it was quite the scene. 

Then we headed to Garrett Woodin’s party across town and it was fun to chat with some of Payt’s friends aka Brendan, John, Gage and Kortney. After that we went home and took a power nap for 20 minutes and then had two more parties to hit. We went over to Lizzy Lovato’s party where we had delicious hot dogs and gluten free cupcakes. Thank you Shelia. We got to hang out with Graham there so that’s always the best. He loved the bubbles and the tree that Garrett had him sit in. And I secretly love it when he cries when we are leaving him or he is leaving us. Sorry Elle and David.

 

After Lizzy’s we went over to John, Brendan, and Gage’s party over at John’s. Their photo booth was the best because we could change the background for every picture that we took. We took over the candy bar and played some more corn hole while I was begging Sophie to come over. We were exhausted by the end of the day. Eating and talking really can get to ya.

Sunday morning we slept in a little bit and then I basically demanded to open my presents because I had been waiting for days. My parents got me some PJ’s, a new dress, sour patches, and a new pair of jeans. Score! Then we ate breakfast together and got ready for church. After church we came back and had a birthday/graduation dinner that was an 13/10. We had shrimp scampi, popcorn shrimp, steak, baked onions, potatoes, and strawberry salad. YUM. Thank you Robbin.

I then gathered everyone for family pictures because we all know that after graduation and sitting for that long period of time, Payton and Graham would not be down for that. Our family has gotten quite good at the assemble, pose, smile, and it’s over. They are understanding that if they just do what I say the first time it is 10x less painful so cheers to them.

How cute is my family? The cutest. I know!

 Proud Momma right here!

Graham was not interested but we worked hard to get those smiles.

 

Inbetween pictures, this is what was happening...

We then headed to the Metra for graduation! We found seats and then once Graham got there, Sophie and I took him for a walk around. He was honestly so good to sit for that long! For the first half of graduation he sat quietly on my lap. He danced to the music when they sang, ate a sucker, drank his bottle and just chilled. I was in heaven. Graduation was only an hour and a half which we were all very happy about! Payt may or may not have checked his phone during the ceremony but he was smiling big and hugged about every teacher. He’s the cutest and we are just so proud.

 

 

Afterwards we met outside and took a few pics and he got some with his friends and then we were out of there.

 

 

Garrett and I volunteered to work at Falcon Finale with my parents which is the all night party up at Skyview. So we headed home, got changed, hung out and talked to Elle for a little bit and then headed up around 9:30.

We worked the wheel of fortune with my parents, ate all the food, I drank 4 Italian sodas (don’t judge), worked the basketball game so the Smyle’s could take a break, and laughed our freaking heads off watching the hypnotist. We didn’t get home until about 3:15 am but it was so worth it because the hypnotist was SO FUNNY. If you haven’t seen one, go right now. It will be totally worth it.

 

On Monday, Garrett and my dad got up at 7 to go golfing. Yes they are crazy, because I know you were wondering. I slept in a little bit, then went to Fuddruckers with Payt, my parents and Sophie and had a very delicious lunch. Then Garrett went home to nap while my mom and Sophie and I went shopping. Garrett was seriously sleeping so hard. It was very difficult to wake him up. His early morning for golf was well worth it though he said. Then we headed back to Rexburg that afternoon!

It was a great weekend seeing family, friends, and celebrating Payton! Congrats dude, onto bigger and better things. We know you will be awesome in all that you do.