Ryker's Graduation was supposed to be Saturday June 12 at Meridian High School with the senior class divided into two group one going at one time the other going a different time. Because of Covid restrictions this is what they came up with. But this was not good enough for the seniors who wanted to graduate all together. After trying to come up with different scenarios to make everyone happy they ultimately decided on using the Idaho Center which meant everyone could graduate together, no masks and no limit to how many people could attend. It also meant they had to change the day to Friday June 11 which was fine. Those of my family who were attending would be here and they all could go which was awesome. the ones who came were...Mom, Heather, Jaylynn, Joshua, Emily and Isabelle.From the Peterson side Alison came to the Graduation.
I bought 2021 balloons for decoration and put them up in the living room. Kefford helped me by picking them up and tying the strings and Rylee helped by posing with the 1!
It was fun to have some of my family with us at Graduation, we were able to get pretty good seats and had a good view of Ryker and the stage. Ryker was sitting on the opposite side but when the graduates were lining up to walk across and get their diploma they lined up in front of us so we got to see Ryker up close.
Ryker was graduating with a 4.10 GPA but because he only had a 4.8 at the time they pulled grades for the cords back in May he did not receive the highest Honor Cords which were blue and gold. They gave him two gold. We were not happy about this but because they pulled the grades when they did and pre-ordered the cords Ryker was stuck with the two gold. Kefford and I felt he deserved to be recognized for the GPA he was graduating with so Kefford found Kenedy's cords which were both blue and borrowed one so the Ryker could have the Blue and Gold he should have been given in the first place. Ryker was also a part of the Honor Society so he had a white collar to wear with his Graduation Robes as well as the MHS Gold collar and the blue and gold highest honor cords.
When Ryker lined up to walk across he was mouthing something to me and making motions that looked like taking a picture. I was confused until right after he got his diploma when he suddenly stopped, turned towards me and smiled. I quickly realized he was telling me to take his picture when he posed on stage and so I did. :)
I sent the link to my family members who could not make it and Erin and Ashleigh both tuned in to watch and sent screenshots of Ryker. I am grateful that they were able to watch even though they could not be here.
After the ceremony we went outside to meet up with Ryker for some picture taking. Before he found us he got a picture with his friends with the Leis that Abby Eaton made for the four of them which had money and candy!
Ryker, Grace, Echo and Matthew
Once we found Ryker we put the Leis that Ashleigh made for him and sent up with heather on him. I had Heather and Jaylynn put them on him. Hers were also made of money and candy!
Rylee and Avynlea both wanted to pose with his Diploma Cover, dreaming of the not too distant future I guess :)
Ryker was a good sport and let us take lots of pictures with him. He is more like Kefford and not thrilled with all of the pictures and attention but he humored us and suffered through them all.
Rylee, Ryker and Avynlea
Family Picture: Rylee, Kefford, Ryker, Elizabeth and Avynlea
Kenedy was sad about not being able to be at Ryker's Graduation so she had us take a family picture with space on the end so she could add herself to it later.
Ryker and his proud parents
WE also had him pose like this so Kenedy could photoshop him lifting her but she never got behind that one.
Grandma Alison, Ryker and Grandma Bonnie
Rylee and Ryker
The entire Graduation gang:
Alison, Elizabeth, Kefford, Avynlea, Rylee, Jaylynn, Heather, Ryker, Emily, Joshua, Bonnie and Isabelle
Alison had to take off so she got a hug and said goodbye
Ryker and Heather
Ryker and Isabelle
Emily, Ryker and Isabelle
Ryker and Avynlea
Jaylynn and Ryker
There was a graduate with her family by us and I could not believe the amount of Leis she had on her. The poor thing looked so awkward and uncomfortable. It was such a crazy sight I had Ryker pose nearby so I could get a picture of her with all of her neck gear. The poor thing
Matthew and Ryker
Avynlea spent her Freshman year and part of her Sophomore year riding to and from school between Matthew and Ryker and wanted a picture with her in between them. I didn't understand what she was wanting until it was too late and so I told her we would try again the next time Matthew came over.
After we were done taking pictures we were all very hungry and so we headed down the road a bit to Fiesta Guadalajara for dinner. They put our group in a banquet room which was nice so we could be apart from the rest of the crowd. Ryker was a gentleman and helped his Grandma into the restaurant.
Out Entire Family:
Kenedy, Avynlea, Elizabeth, Ryker, Kefford and Rylee
We wanted to get Ryker set apart an Elder and given the Melchezidek Priesthood and planned it for right before the party. We wanted to not make it difficult for family and so we had it right before his party which they all were coming to any way. It was nice to have so many there, Joshua had already left for the airport so he missed being in the circle but Heather, Emily and Mom were able to be there which was special. Those in the circle were...
Kefford, Bob, Jeremy, Kelsey, Steve, Dustin M, Trevor and Andrew
The next day was party day! I made a banner with all of Rykers school pictures from Kindergarten to High School which I didn't get a picture of...fail. I didn't get but one picture of the decorations, I was jut not thinking about it. I did get a picture of the food table which was the most important part. I wanted to do a cookie theme and then Kefford suggested nachos because he had the nacho cheese dispenser and so I combined the two and the theme was "He is NACHO average Graduate, He is one smart COOKIE":)
Matthew stopped by the party and we were able to fulfill Avynlea's picture wish, Ryker didn't want to comply but he came around.
I had spent the previous couple of weeks baking all different kids of cookies and we ended up with about 12 different kinds. The cookies and the nachos were a big hit!
I ordered Ryker a graduation cake per tradition and had it for Sunday.
Congratulations Ryker! We are sure proud of you and excited for your future!!!
