Kaylene Has Graduated!

We (Paul & Shirleen, Michael & LeAnn, Amy & Bryce and Esther, Karsten, Maylee, and Melody) travelled to New Mexico to see Kaylene graduate with a  business degree in accounting from the University of New Mexico.  We left Mesa on Friday, December 15th.

 

We stayed in Albuquerque, here, at the Staybridge Suites:

That first night we (Paul & Shirleen, Bryce & Amy and E, K, M, and M) ate nearby, here:

We were joined by Kaylene and her friend from high school, JJ Gray:

Food was not the only attraction at Burger King, as demonstrated:

 

The Staybridge has a nice breakfast buffet, so that's where we had breakfast Saturday morning:

 

After lunch we all got together and travelled here: 

 

We went over to the graduation site, and joined Johnny & Judy Watkins, JJ, Kaylene's Aunt Mary Jane (Johnny's sister) & Uncle Jim (from Arkansas), and Aunt Gina (and Andrew, one of her sons).  Here are some representative photographs:

 

And down below the graduates gathered. (yes, Kaylene is down there, dressed in a red cap & gown).

 

The moment finally came when it was Kaylene's turn to cross the podium.  Paul and JJ had positioned themselves in the area to the left of the seated graduates, and near the podium, to the right of those seated there.  And from there they got some photographs.

Kaylene is Next (front of the line)

The Graduate (with a degree in Accounting)!

We are so proud of her and grateful we could share this milestone with her!  It was announced during graduation that the Anderson School of Business at University of New Mexico is in the top 5% in the country.  When the ceremonies had ended, there was a reception next door (in the same building).  Here's an idea of what that looked like:

 

We then went back to the graduation area for some special photographs:

 

Paul, Shirleen, Kaylene, Judy, Johnny

Mary Jane, Kaylene, Jim 



Bryce, Melody, Amelia, Kaylene
Maylee, Esther, Karsten



Michael, Kaylene, and LeAnn



Kaylene and Gina

Kaylene and JJ

Then, we went outside for more photographs.  Here's one:

University of  New Mexico Lobos!

What happened next?  Well, we (temporarily) went our separate ways, and gathered later, for dinner, here:

Once inside, we were seated together for food and more festivities, which included a special cake Gina had created (remember, Kaylene graduated in Accounting):

 

And what was it like around the dinner table?  Well, there were 21 in our party altogether, so take a look! 

 

Gina also made these table decorations

 

 

After dinner the Arizona folks went back to the Staybridge.  The kids wanted to swim, but the pool was closed because of a pump failure!  What to do?  Well, the Jacuzzi was open, so the thing to do was to get in and have some fun!

 

 

 The next day we had breakfast at the Staybridge.

 

We went to church north of Albuquerque, here (the Enchanted Hills Ward, in Bernalillo, NM):

We had lunch back at the Staybridge.  We then went to the Watkins' home to visit.  Later, Johnny & Judy and Mary Jane & Jim went to dinner at Gina & Jeremy's (and to hopefully see an owl that frequents a neighbor's yard).  Amy & Bryce and family and Stephen joined Kaylene & us for dinner (Amy brought a lasagna & some raw vegetables, and Kaylene baked cookies).

What a fun time, and we played a new (to us) game called Time's UP! Title Recall.   We finally said our goodbyes, and went back to the Staybridge.

Monday morning we had breakfast at the Staybridge, and then were on our way home to Arizona.  The Griners had their own adventures that day (ask them about it!).  We went to Snowflake on our way home and visited with Judy Foshee.  We waited for Killian to get off work, but he was delayed, so Judy showed us the way to the Snowflake Temple.  It's on top of a hill, and we were able to get up close and walk around it.  Here are some photos:

Yes, that's snow by the waterfall!



Shirleen by a Nativity



Judy returned to her home, and the two of us headed for Payson.  But, wait!  A text came from Judy, announcing that Killian was now off work.  So, we headed back to Snowflake.  And here we are back at Judy's home:

Paul, Shirleen, Killian, Sabrina

We had a nice visit, and then headed out for home.  But we decided to stop in Payson.  We checked into a Quality Inn, then had dinner here:

On Tuesday morning the following pictures were taken, and we had breakfast at the Quality Inn.

Then, we headed home to Mesa.

What a wonderful trip!  Seeing Kaylene graduate is a highlight of our life!  The hospitality shown to us by the Watkins and Judy Foshee is much appreciated.  Being able to see & visit with Kaylene, Stephen, and Killian was also rewarding.  We were happy to see Gina and Jeremy again.  And, it had been years since we last saw Mary Jane & Jim.   Also, JJ not only made photographs available to us (he has a photography business, among other activities), but he also provided some interesting entertainment for a couple of the Griner children with his iPhone X (yes, an iPhone 10).