Tying Up '21-'22

Everybody knows that December is busy, but personally I think the end of May/beginning of June is even crazier.  Here are some photos of our family's end of the year wrap-up.  First up, A'Capella.  Brooklyn and Talia both sang with West's highest auditioned choir this year, and both of them enjoyed it so much that they are planning to sing again next year.

A'Capella's musicality has grown tremendously this year as these young musicians learned to really listen and blend.  Also, I don't have a photo, but both girls performed "You Will Be Found" in an octet.  Brooklyn had a small solo, and as her Mom, I naturally cried.  As long as I'm bragging, I might as well mention how Brooklyn lettered and Talia medaled in A'Cappella as well.  I'm so proud of these gals and how hard they work!

Speaking of music, Brooklyn has been playing lots of cello as she prepares to tour France and Spain with sVs--Sotto Voce Strings. They sound amazing!  Here they are performing at their Farewell Concert, led by the fabulous Asheley Watabe.  How I wish I could be a fly on the wall in July as they perform at La Sagrada Familia!

A close-up of our focused Brooklyn.

Moving on to Eli, this handsome young man graduated from Emerson Elementary School!  Here he is receiving his diploma from his teachers Ms. Jensen and Sra. Borrell.  A precocious little soul, he's planning on  jumping straight from sixth grade into West High's ELP (Extended Learning Program).

As much as it pains me to see him move on, I know he's ready.  I suspect his inquisitive brain will thrive under the academic rigor, especially with the extra opportunities to delve into engineering and math.  Here he is proudly displaying the Sir Isaac Newton award that he was awarded for mathematical excellence in his class.

A smiling photo with his classmates.  This group has persevered together  all the way since first grade.  What an accomplishment!  If I have the names correct, there's Sofia, Sita, Evie, Ollie, James, Eli, and Hazel.

It seems appropriate to celebrate seven years of dual immersion education with some really great Mexican food.

Here's Eli celebrating again at a year-end ELP picnic, held at Fairmont Park.  Only pickle juice for these drinking games!

As for Annika, she bridged from Brownies to Juniors.  I think we need to work a little bit on our uniform, though.  The buttons are mismatched and her skort is on backwards.

That's better!

The 27th and 27th East Ward Youth celebrated the end of the year by taking a trip to the Bountiful Temple.  What a stunning evening!

Continuing the celebration with Nielsen's Frozen Custard.  I love Berkeley's smile here.

Graduating Seniors, Lydia and Paige.

Sisters.

I don't know what was said, but CC found it hilarious.  Love all these gals!

Now Annie for her last day of third grade, Too Cool for School pose.  Personally, I think she killed it.

  "We will, we will ROCK you."

In case singing Queen for the whole school wasn't fun enough, Annika LOVED the face paint at the Wasatch carnival.  It takes a lot to one-up snow cones and cotton candy, but I think this did the trick.

Our own black panther.

Last but not least, Lagoon!  Talia used some of her hard-earned crochet money to purchase a season pass.  Then, she and her great friend Danyn were kind enough to take Annika one day. 

Hurrah for summer!