Samantha's High School Graduation Festivities

PROM

Watching my sister go to prom was surreal; I still remember holding her in my arms at the hospital the day she was born, and now she is going to college! My wonderful friend Kaylene did her hair and makeup for prom, and I must say she did an amazing job. It was a 2-for-1 bonus in that I also got to play with Quincy while she was getting her ready :) Once she was ready we headed over to Stanford so she could take professional photos with her friends and her boyfriend Sunny. Together they were a ravishing couple! I still just can't get over how beautiful and grown up my sister is. 

HONORS NIGHT

My sister worked her butt off throughout her high school career and was 1 of 5 valedictorians in her 2016 graduating class (can you sense how beyond proud I am of her?) I've never seen someone so intent on achieving something and then literally going out and making it happen. One of the top qualities I admire most about my sister is that she's a total go-getter. Nothing and no one can stop her from getting what she wants, which is why I was so excited to watch her be able to live her dream of being class valedictorian and get into the school of her dreams.

GRADUATION

My sister's big day finally arrived: Graduation Day! As usual my sister looked gorgeous and you could tell she was so relieved and just genuinely happy to be done with high school. We made sure to make it in time to hear her amazing valedictorian speech and to see her walk across the stage. It was also a very special day because Uncle Ben traveled all the way from Malaysia to come to her ceremony. Her and Sunny took some adorable pictures - such an exciting moment to be a part of!

GRAD PARTY

To say that my mom and I were obsessed with throwing the perfect grad party for my sister may be an understatement. My mom and I carefully planned the invitations, decorations, menu, and games. We wanted it to be colorful and bright, but with a hint of a UCLA theme too! My mom, the chef extraordinaire, whipped up a menu full of fresh roasted veggies, fruit salad, and corn salad to compliment Matt's chicken skewers. Everything was so fresh and delicious. The weeks prior I made a photo timeline of my sister's life and displayed it above a candy table at the party. We also made a fabulous sign-in table with a Words of Wisdom jar, a place for cards, a set of her trophies and awards, and string of photos. I loved seeing everyone come together in one place to celebrate my sister's achievements. I also loved playing with my niece Mercy the entire time - she may have had the most fun of everyone! She's also just the cutest little doll :-) All in all it was such a great party (if I don't say so myself) - and the very next morning my sister and I went on a road trip to Oregon to continue the celebration...

Congratulations to my beautiful little sister - I love you so much!