Graduation ... the real deal

We didn't know if this day would ever happen. This has been the longest graduation season, but I am thrilled that this Poudre Class of 2020 finally got to walk across that stage.  We also didn't know the we would be able to attend until a few weeks before when the district was given a variance on COVID restrictions that allowed two guests per graduate. The graduation was held at one of the high school football fields at 1:00. We had assigned times to be there to help with crowd control.

Waiting in line before getting in their seating arrangement.

We waited in the bleachers in our assigned seat ... front row baby!!

The ceremony began at 1:00. We were really worried about melting in the midday July heat, but it was overcast nearly the entire time.  During the hour and a half we had a variety of sun, heat, wind, sprinkles and a little thunder in the distance. It was such a nice ceremony. 

I really enjoyed listening to her principal. ...really well spoken and inspiring. 

Karsyn guessed that about 75-80% of the roughly 350 in her class participated in the ceremony. 

Crossing the stage. Poudre tradition allows the graduates to choose a staff member to give them their diploma. This had to be modified a little to reduce contact, but Mrs. Holly did read Karsyn's name. Prior to knowing whether an in person graduation was even possible, she had written this sweet message to Kars on the back of the Impala poster they made of the seniors. 

I am incredibly proud of this girl and how well she did academically in high school. She was recognized for several top honors and has maintained a 4.0 GPA through all of high school.

 

These three have been super tight for most of their years at Poudre. Kars and Kennedy became friends in middle school and Taeson joined the trio their Sophomore year. They have been so good for each other and although they will all be going in different directions, I truly hope they keep in touch and remain friends.

We picked up a few things in FoCo and headed home to get ready for a little celebrating with even more family than we had hoped [that's a good thing].

We kept it simple and versatile with pizzas and salad for dinner. I had also ordered a variety of cupcakes from our local spot The Cakery. 

We ate, chatted and played some games. 

Ashlee was the winner on "How Well Do You Know Karsyn?"

And she and Jill tied on guessing the grade for each First Day of School photo.

Lots of pictures with everyone outside. 

I don't know what these three will do without each other next fall.

It was a unique graduation to say the least. One that will bond the entire class of 2020 forever. 

I am so excited for Kars and her future. I know that she is capable of so much. I really do hope that she is fearless in the pursuit of what sets her soul on fire💙

Ashlee and Ashley and a HUGE surprise!

Ashlee and Ashley came to visit us for a long weekend the end of July. It was an extra long wait that Thursday for the two of us who weren't busy at work;)

Knowing they wanted to see RMNP, we had made a reservation for Friday morning.

Waiting for the shuttle. Bailee and Karsyn had their last day at the BGC so unfortunately they weren't able to join us.

It was a bit of a cloudy day and threatening rain as we did the loop around Bear Lake.

We drove up Trail Ridge Road and walked to an overlook at roughly 12,000 feet. 

Not an easy climb even without the elevation gain.

We all made it just as it started to sprinkle.

Quick group photo before heading back down.

We grabbed some lunch in Estes at one of our favorite burger joints.

And found a beautiful spot to eat. Sorry folks. Hard to get a flattering pic when everyone has a mouthful;)

We had to spend some time exploring the Stanley. Emmrey has an awesome video on her YouTube channel [Cousin and Cousin Company;)].

We got back home right about the time that the girls were returning from work. We were sitting around chatting about our day when the doorbell rang. I was hesitant to open it, because ... well.. I'm a little weird about that. In retrospect, the fact that I was being urged to get it and Ashley got up from the couch and followed me;) should have given me a clue that something was going on. I opened the door to THIS!! I am a little embarrassed that my reaction may have been confusing. Because I was confused. I was having such a hard time figuring out what was going on that I'm afraid I forgot my manners. I was truly "blown away" and will be forever grateful that they came out in support of Karsyn [even though they couldn't even attend her graduation]. BEST surprise and BEST family ever!!

We went to a food truck at one of our local breweries to get some dinner. It is always risky taking guests to a place you haven't been before. We had heard only positive things and I think they all liked it? While we were eating at the park, a car pulls up and four nice looking people get out and start walking toward us. It took me a bit to register that it was Jill and her family. I was so disoriented all night😂

in the alley at Leave it to Cleaver

Sunlight Basin & Yellowstone 2020

Our one big trip this summer was our week in the Yellowstone area. We started with a few days at the cabin in the Sunlight Basin.

The Dremel tool [used to help Dottie with her teeth] came along with us and proved to be a source of entertainment [mainly for Mark]. A great deal of time was spent finding rocks and choosing designs. 

Mark made me this one. I am in LOVE

Unfortunately, we didn't have the best weather while at the cabin. It was cooler and rained at some point during the day. When it did clear off, we went for a hike to Upper Sunlight Falls. 

It was incredible and incredibly freaky [very steep drop off]. We had an encounter with a moose which we initially thought was a bear in the vegetation. 

Beautiful views all around.

Emmrey forgot her jacket so my blanket was a suitable alternative.

It wasn't warm enough to float the creek like we usually do, but there was still some exploring and rock hunting. 

Prepping pizzas for the fire

We took advantage of what time we were able to enjoy outside

Some things never change ... thank goodness!

One evening we went for a wildlife drive. We didn't see much wildlife but enjoyed this beautiful rainbow and got some great pictures of our beautiful girls. 

We spent more time inside than we typically do, lots of card games and photo organizing [for me].

We ventured to "The Top of the World" to fish Bear Creek

When I wasn't trying to stay warm and out of the wind, I moved in between the girls who were all spread out fishing. 

The fish aren't big, but you can catch 20+ in a few hours making it a fun spot to fish.

Emm earned the title of highest number of Brookies this year.

Taking in the scenic Beartooth Highway on our way back to the cabin. 

One last fire before leaving

We did our traditional photo in front of the cabin from the back this year.

In the end I was really wishing we had planned to stay a couple more days. 

It felt extra rejuvenating this year. 

We leisurely made our way to West Yellowstone via the Cooke City route. 

We stopped for a brief walk to see Sheep Creek Falls.

Once in the park, Mark indulged me with a pit stop to watch the Bison herds. The most abundant and frequent wildlife seen in the park, but they don't always get the attention they deserve from us. 

One of two Black Bears we saw in one day. That certainly doesn't happen every trip!

Had dinner at one of our favorite Taco Trucks. 

Mark and Bailee went for an evening walk along the Riverside Trail.

The next morning we headed to the northwest corner of the park to hike Specimen Creek.

We did about 2.5 miles and saw some cool pieces of fossilized wood. 

The bugs were pretty obnoxious, making it hard to enjoy this prime spot for a lunch break. 

My thoughtful little girl gave me a flower .... so Karsyn;)

The hike was buggy, but beautiful.

Always a nice way to spend the morning celebrating America.

 The after hike ice-cream stop

We walked around town for a while before showering and trying a new place for dinner. 

Really yummy .... and outdoor seating for the win. 

I had some reservations about keeping our tickets to the Playmill with the Pandemic and all. We decided to go for it with safety precautions in place and enjoyed an evening of Footloose. 

It was a different experience for sure. 

Also their last season at this facility so we were part of a little history too. 

No parade this year or music festival at the park. We did walk to the park to view the fireworks. It was crazy how empty it was. It also started to rain during the show so that cleared out even more people. 

We stayed to the end of what I believe was a shortened display. 

I think once the rain started, they just jumped to the finale. 

We stretched out the drive home, stopping to see Grand Prismatic Spring from the overlook. 

Another great and much needed trip to YNP in the books.