Three Grandchildren Graduate

Yesterday saw the close to Brock's high school years.  There were over 950 students that graduated in his class of 2025.  That is a huge graduating class.  We all met at Chili's for lunch and from there back to UVU for pictures and then the graduation ceremonies started at 6:00.  

Of course Neal runs into someone he knows.  I think he was a distant relative or something like that.

 

Brock with his grandmother, Sylvia

Time to head home.

It was a fun afternoon and evening.  Long, but really nice and fun.  Glad it was in an air conditioned hall at UVU instead of a football field.  Made the event much more pleasant.  

Neal and I drove into Salt Lake about 9:30 and decided that we needed to treat ourselves to an ice cream.  So we stopped in Fort Union at Handel's.  There was quite a line of people but it was, and always is, well worth the wait.

Peyton Jean also graduated from Kingsburg High School on the same evening as Brock.  Neal and I will be going to California next weekend for the dance recital and will be able to celebrate with them at that time.

Jordyn Lyn graduates from Fresno State in Graphic Design.  

Very proud of all three of our graduates.  You have a bright future to look forward to and Pa and I wish you a happy journey with fun adventures ahead.  Love you all so much and so proud of your accomplishments!!

Memories for Susan

Annie and I wanted to do something special for Susan for Mother's Day and as a memory of her son David.  We decided on a some kind of planter with a red rose bush in the center.  David had written Susan a poem for Mother's Day and had referred to Roses are Red etc.  It was a funny poem and we thought would certainly bring back happy memories for Susan.  Lynda Ann ordered a planter box on legs.  Neal and Tucker put it together.  Tucker figuring out how it all goes together.

Working with Neal can be a challenge but Tucker does it perfectly!!!

After it was all done, we took it outside and Neal did his part by planting it.  His favorite thing to do.

It turned out beautiful and now Lynda Ann needs to make the plaque to go with it and then we will take it up to Midway and put it on Susan's front porch.  We are excited to give it to her and hope that it will bring many fond memories as she looks at it, waters it and thinks of David.

 

Utah's Aquarium

 Not sure whose idea it was to go to the Aquarium but it was a good one.  We go past it all the time but have never taken the time to stop and go in and see what it is all about.  Annie and Andrew had posted the Ford on KSL the night before and had a girl who wanted to look at it so they weren't able to come.  And I will add in here that they were able to sell it that day for $2,000.  Annie had posted it at $2200 and let the girl buy it for $2000.  Great to sell a car that fast.  

Neal and I met Jeff, Mallory and Emmi at the aquarium and spent a couple hours there.  There was one spot where they had some replicas of Orca's that little people could climb on.  Well, I being a little people decided to climb on one of them.  They are life size so they are very, very wide across.  You almost have to do a side split to straddle it.  Which I did.  Well, Neal decided that he wanted to get on with me and the pictures will tell the rest of the story.

Neal tried to get on and fell of the back of the whale!  Emmi got the whole thing recorded!

Neal just kept trying and couldn't get on and I just kept smiling while Emmi is taking one picture after another.  She also has a movie!!

The final blow.  The whale was just too much for him and off he went rolling across the floor.  It was a sight be behold.  

And yes, he was okay except for his pride!  

We all met at the house for dinner and games.  Had a wonderful evening together and then came the time for goodbyes.  Never a good time.  Emmi and I had a hard time saying goodbye.  I assured her that I've got many years left ahead of me for many more fun gatherings and adventures.  

Tibble Fork

 I was invited to tag along with Lynda, Mallory, Emmi and Brinkley to have lunch up at Tibble Fork Reservoir.  We stopped on the way up and bought Jimmy John's for lunch.  The canyon was gorgeous and it was fun to sit, eat and enjoy the sounds and feelings of our beautiful mountains.

After lunch, we headed back down the canyon and went to the Traverse Mountain Outlets.  We all spent money that we didn't have but what is the fun of going shopping if you don't buy something?  

Almost all the stores are dog friendly so Brinkley was able to go in every store that we went in.  I had to take a picture of him carrying the hanger that Mallory told him to pick up and carry and carrying a shopping bag.  What a good and very smart Brinkley.

Is that not the cutest thing ever!!  It is fun to watch people's reactions!

Provo City Temple Excursion

 Emmi wanted to do some sealings for her dad's side of the family.  Mallory made arrangements for Neal and I, Jeff, Lynda, Mallory and Emmi to do those at the Provo City Temple.  It was a beautiful experience.  It is so hard to put into words the spiritual feelings that come with temple ordinances.  They really can't be explained - one has to experience them for themselves.  There was a moment during the sealings that Lynda Ann was kneeling at the alter in proxy for a child being sealed to her parents.  The officiator stopped for a moment and couldn't go on because the spirit in the room was so strong.  He then interjected some comments about the importance of the children being sealed to their parents and that when children are sealed to the parents it is all about the child.  He had no idea that Lynda Ann was adopted and how meaningful his words were.  As he was talking, I went back in time to that little girl of mine, who was just a year old, sitting on the alter in her little white dress and being sealed to me.  She would be mind for eternity.  What an incredible blessing.  What a beautiful gift from our Savior.  We did later share with the officiator that Lynda Ann was adopted and how meaningful this ordinance is.  Thanks to Emmi and Mallory for arranging this beautiful time to be together as a family.