Graduate, Graduate...Great! Great! Great!

So, the day I have been working for for the past 17 years or so has finally come and gone. I graduated from college! It sounds exciting...and it is! As many of you know, I started my college experience down at the U of U (which is still where my heart is, just so you know). Only after blowing my tuition money on my senior trip in Hawaii with my best girls in the world, Jackie and Ceara. I had a ball at the U ~ I made lots of friends and had so much fun making some of my very best memories, but I really didn't do that great with the whole "school" part of it all. Then I met Richard, and he likes to think he straightened me out...hahaha... So after we got married, I transfered to Weber, which I was never too thrilled about, but it ended up being the best thing ever! I found the program of my dreams, and I ended up graduating Summa Cum Laude. I had three awesome internship opportunities working in the nutrition department on campus, at the health department, and with the Women In Motion program. I came to love and respect many of my professors, and I made a lot of friends! I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Performance Management and Nutrition Education. I was lucky and blessed enough to find an awesome part-time job in my field as a Wellness Specialist that I started the week of graduation, and I love it so far! I know that my education will benefit me and my family for the rest of our lives. It was definitely all worth it! ....blah, blah, blah...I'm done. I really am so excited about being graduated, but I could go on and on forever! Thanks to my family for your support throughout all of my years of school. Thanks to all of my teachers and professors and coaches, you really have taught me so much! And of course, thanks to Richard ~ you've put up with my crazy during school and life, and for that I'll love you forever!
I know this is so so so many pictures, but it was one of the biggest days of my life, so I didn't want to leave out any of my favorites...

My last class ever!

My fave girls, Jamie and Jen, that got me through

the hardest class ever...Measurements!

My best friend at school ~ Rachel Philpott ~

we had almost every class together! She had

a gorgeous baby right before finals...she's

pretty much a ROCKSTAR!

Amy and I after my very last final exam...

I don't know if she ever saw me with makeup on!

hahaha

Katherine, Natalie, and I after the longest

commencement ceremony ever. I love these

girls to death! Natalie and I mostly bonded

over the foods of the world in Mutlicultural Nutrition

This is me smiling, even though I am at the

world's worst luncheon. Rach was one of my

biggest cheerleaders!

I love this guy! He was so good to me all day, and

totally treated me like a QUEEN! Thanks, babe!

Just showing off my graduation BLING

Dad got the first family hug. I love this guy, too!

My awesome aunt Dayna...in her card she told me

to "change the world." I'm sure going to try!

I can't take my eyes off of him for a minute when

my Great Grandma B. is around! hahaha

It meant so much to have my Grandma Porter

there! I love you, Grandma!

I just love this picture of my mom.

Best husband ever...and he's all mine!

Mom and Dad with their favorite child.

I gave Sarah my "stole" because I'm so

proud of her for working so hard in school

~ she's graduating this year, too!

Grandma and Grandpa Porter...love them!

Grandma and Grandpa Shepherd...love them, too!

My favorite...circus roses

Same hair cut...so hot!

Katherine and I with flowers from our hunka-hunka

husbands.

We made it, Jen! And with just a little bit of

hat-head.

The whole fam at Roosters to celebrate...this after

I saved Grandpa from choking...don't ask!