MDGWeddings: And then she grew up...

Last time I was actually present at her Birthday Party she was turning 12... And just like that almost 5 years have gone by and my little sister was graduating High School this last Saturday, June 20, 2009. I can't believe how fast she grew up and how she turned from my little sister into this really beautiful young lady. Almost like in a fairy tale....

My little princess :)

Alina and her boyfriend Sergey - so happy together :)

And of course her best friend - beautiful Angelica!

My sister with our grandparents on dad's side

As the grads were waiting by the school I took a few shots of young and happy faces in the crowd

Caught them! Not like they were hiding though... :)

It is a tradition for graduates of most schools in our city to have an official walk somewhere not far from school with a small orchestra leading the way. It's a lot of fun and makes the kids feel special, since sometimes they even close the streets for such event, depending on how big the graduating class is, which theirs wasn't, only 51 students, so they could walk along the road on a walkway rather than on the road. But cars were still slowing down and looking and honking and yelling "Congratulations!" out of their windows.

It was a very bright and colorful "parade"!

All the students, teachers and guests walked to the Memorial Park with this "eternal fire" which was built in memory of those who fought in World War II. Everyone honored the heroes with a minute of silence and students also brought flowers to put by the fire. In the end everybody let their balloons up in the air to show their gratitude for the bright future that they have thanks to those who fought and lost their lives for them many years ago...