The new lawyer

My brother, Carl, has been working on his dream. He has always wanted to be a lawyer, but he got married and got down to the hard  business of providing for a family. A few years back he went back to school and got his Bachelors. Then he applied and was accepted to Law School. Three hard years later and he has acheived his dream.

I went down to SLC for his swearing in. We met at Little America Hotel for a special session of the Utah Supreme Court. We all stood as the justices filed in and then the program.

All  the canidates stood as their names were read.

We were very lucky to be sitting right behind him.

His name on the back of the program.

Our view of the proceedings.

They all stood and raised their right hand and were sworn in as new lawyers. Pretty awesome.

I dashed down after I got the boys to school and then I dashed back to be home when the boys got home from school. A very quick trip, but worth it. I got to sit by my brother's son who is a senior in high school. A good example to never give up on your dreams.

They new lawyer. Silly man wasn't looking at me. He was laughing at what Pete or Willa was saying. But a happy day with family support. I'm so proud of him.

Memorial Day

Deb and Raven came to visit last weekend. Deb and I worked on binding a quilt while Raven discovered that Josh was just one year younger than her. Not only that, he was funny and fun to hang out with.

Deb said that she had never been to Yellowstone, and it was on her bucket list. Maybe if we worked hard on the quilt and got it done enough, we could go to Yellowstone on Monday.

I had been thinking about Yellowstone, but had never been without Craig. I wasn't sure, but when Deb said it, we decided to go.

We had to leave early to get there to see anything. I thought Old Faithful and Mammoth Hot Springs. And the North Gate is really cool with the Roosevelt Arch - or at least that is what I call it.

I was anxious to leave. I got up just after 6 and we ended up leaving around 7. Not too bad. I had made chicken salad the night before and I packed all the snackies we had. We loaded up the new, red car and got on the road. I was a bit onery until we were actually going. But I settled down on the road.

We got to the West Entrance just before 10 am and stopped to potty. The gas station guy was nice and we chatted a bit and then he said that the day before the line had been all the way around the corner. With that knowledge, I gathered everybody up and got back in the car and we were off.

We headed South to Old Faithful first. We stopped at the Celestine Pools, the bacteria pools that are clear blue. Boaz hates the smell, but they were pretty. Deb and Raven were impressed.

We had an hour to wait until Old Faithful was due to blow, so we played in the gift shop.

Here is Raven in the old lodge looking up at the huge clock.

We saw buffalo first.

The cinnamon colored babies were out and frolicking.

A  rather large herd grazing by the road.

The trees of Yellowstone. I remember when the fires were so bad, back when my Dad was alive. He was so mad that they let it burn, but the Park has recovered nicely.

We love to watch water. Yellowstone has lovely rivers. I think this is Firehole river.

Very rugged country.

A geyser basin just north of Old Faithful.

Boiling mud pots.

Old Faithful an hour before he was to blow the benches are empty and whispy steam blows from the mouth of the geyser.

Josh rocking the new sunglasses he talked me into. They are running glasses, that makes me happy. He is a runner after all.

Deb and Raven on the bench waiting for the show. I didn't get a picture of all the people. Crazy thing, I saw somebody I knew.

Every other time I have been, I took a video of the eruprion. I wanted to actually see it this time, so I just took a snapshot. The day was cool and the steam was billowing. It obscured the hight of the water a lot. I didn't really get a good picture of the water. Old Faithful is not the biggest geyser, Steamboat is bigger, but not predictable. Old Faithful is still very impressive.

Ticking off a bucket list item.

Hiding behind the sign.

I didn't ask somebody to take a picture of all of us. Deb asked several times, and I let the moment pass. Shame on me.

I was disappointed at Mammoth Hot Springs. It was almost dry. Not very impressive. I didn't take any pictures. I thought I took a picture of the North Entrance, but I don't have one on my phone. 

An odd note. I have never been in Yellowstone without Craig before. He has always driven and I have  been able to just look out the window. It was a bit of a different experience this time. 

Oh good. Deb got a picture and just sent it to me. "For the benefit and enjoyment of the people." I call this the Roosevelt Arch - no idea if that is really the name. Teddy Roosevelt designated this the first National Park because it is in more than one state. This road leads to Helena, MT. We took this route the first time I visited and headed north and back to Oregon.

I will miss being so close to the Park. It is a beautiful place.

 

Cub Scout last hurrah

Boaz is officially graduated from Cub Scouts. He  has been going to 11 year old scouts since his birthday, but Thursday he had his Arrow of Light ceremony and he crossed the bridge.

The ceremony is part of Pack Meeting, and for pack meeting we had a bike rodeo. The suburban came out of the shop just in time to transport Boaz's bike. I didn't want it in my new car.

Boaz came home from school and found a package. I didn't know it had been there. It was the arrow that I ordered on line. The next door reservation didn't sell arrows anymore at their gift shop.

So I hurried and started the quilted Arrow of Light. I had made on for Josh, and wanted to make one for Boaz too.

I got it done enough to present it to him. I had to unpick it twice because I was in too much of a hurry to think about the correct way to do it. I squeaked it in just before we had to go.

My last Cub Scout pin.

I forgot about pictures and look haggard. No make up at all.

I love this boy.

The arrow. Seven rays - one for each day. The arrow always pointing in the right or correct direction.

I'm holding the fabric so it doesn't blow away. But you can see my hair is whipped by the wind. I need a haircut.

A big thank you to Angie for taking the pictures for me.

He had to ride over the planks to symbolize crossing from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts.

I talked to him about looking ahead of him and riding to a point instead of looking at the planks and trying to stay on them. He was nervous, but we got to practise a bit. He did a good job and stayed on all the way across.

Greeted by his new leader and member of the troop. He was presented with a new neckerchief.

Now it's just me in Cub Scouts. He is growing up and getting so big.

 

Band Concert

Josh's band concert was last night. It was Cinema Magic. Three bands performed. I was worried that I would have to miss some of it because Boaz's Arrow of Light for Cub Scouts was scheduled during the same time. But last minute sanity took over and the Arrow of Light was changed to tonight.

Josh was pretty excited about it, but was trying to be understanding about it. He was happy when I told him that we could go to the whole thing.

He said there was a surprise at first.

Some people were coming to look at the house, so Boaz and I left early. We sat and were working on his scout assignments. Thenn Craig called. Craig and I chatted for a bit. I was watching people file in and the band director up at the front.

I jumped when the trumpet player blared out a clear, beautiful note. The house lights were still up. People were still talking. I was still on the phone. I said, "It's starting. I have to go." And the jazz band played 2nd line down the aisle. Josh passed right by me. I took a few pictures.

They were all wearing the hats and had skinny ties. I told him to smile at me and then I missed the picture.

At least he is looking at me.

And off he went. I knew I didn't have enough room on my phone for all the songs. So Boaz and I sat back to enjoy the show.

Josh loves the Jazz Band. They started off the night. They were wearing sun glasses and ended with the Blues Brothers Revue. So of course they were the Blues Brothers - except the mascot is the Broncos - so they were the Bronco Brothers.

Members of the Concert Band were dressed up as police officers and wandered the audience. At the end of the set, they stormed the stage and the Jazz Band scattered - instruments and all - and ran out of the auditorium. 

District 13 is of course a reference to the Hunger Games. I have refused to read the books. I've had people tell me I should. The books are really good. I just can't stand the whole premise. Adults put kids in a killing field and watch them slaughter each other for their amusement. I've watched part of the first movie, but I missed the "Hanging Tree" reference. It was cool though because they had a girl sing part of the song. At the end, members of the Symphonic Band stood up and answered her - in song of course. I might have to watch the movies to get the reference.

Boaz and I had fun identifying the Disney tunes and movies in the first number.

Josh was in the next band, the Symphonic Band. I knew they were playing songs from Star Wars because he played Darth Vader's theme for his trombone lesson last week. With all the movie music out there, Star Wars is still the most recognizable for me. They did a great job, and Darth Vader made an apperance. He used the force to choke the conductor. The mike didn't pick up everything he said, but apparently he wanted the Imperial March - his theme. I loved the trombone part.

The next number was a medley from The Lone Ranger, Zorro, Phantom of the Opera, Batman - the old TV version - and the Incredibles. The conductor came out in a Zorro mask and made the Z mark. For each slash the band played a chord. The Phantom made an apperance. All the girls in the band screamed - Boaz and I jumped - a drummer fainted. Dillan - a boy in our ward and a senior - took off his black jacket and went and wooed a girl in a white dress. The Phantom came and Dillan and he dueled. Dillan lost and was killed. The Phantam won the girl - who was surprisingly complient and they walked off the stage together. Josh told me afterwards that the Phantom was also named Dillon.

Two flute solos for Schindler's List. They were amazing.

The tall flag girls dressed up as pirates for Pirates of the Caribbean. Two of them had a cutlass fight right in front of me, and I actually got wounded in the fight. Pretty funny. 

Captian Jack Sparrow - herself. Another cute girl in our ward. I stole the picture from Facebook.

All the bands came back together for the last song. There is really good music from Guardians of the Galazy, but Josh said they all hated it. Just little snitches of the songs. However for Hooked on A Feeling the band did the ooga chuckas and a french horn came and sang the lyrics. He was amazing.

The back cover.

Boaz laughed when he saw "That was totally wicked!!!!" Seriously one of  our favorite movies ever.

This was the funnest band concert I have ever been too. They didn't take themselves seriously and just had a good time. Even Elvis made an appearance. The director had sparkly socks and the famous glove. He turned around and hit the pose.

My friend sent me some pictures she took. I'm so glad she did.

Good friends.

I'll have to ask who the cop is. Cute picture.

In character.

Great shot. I'm grateful to her and her much better camera. I love this one.

Comparing lunches

This past week Craig went to Maryland. He wasn't quite in Baltimore. Basically he flew in and out of the airport there. I can't remember the town where he actually was. He met with nice people and got a better idea of the new job. 

Wednesday, when I was minding my own business at the DARE Day with Boaz I got an obnoxious text. He showed me what he was having for lunch. For DARE Day I was going to be served a hot dog. I haven't eaten hot dogs since 5th grade. I have choked down a few bites here and there when I have been really hungry, but as a rule I have gone hungry when faced with the hot dog.

Here is what Craig ate.

Batimore crab cake. It looks delicious! I love crab. My very favorite thing to eat.

This is the text I sent to him.

I choked down three bites because I was really hungry. I don't really think Craig felt bad at all.

Prom report

I asked him if we was anxious for when he could go with a date. He said, "Of course. But it looked a bit boring too."

Apparently there was a lot of awkward standing around and the kids didn't know how to dance to the band. They played songs that they didn't know. Some kids got into it and danced to the unfamiliar music. Josh was impressed by those kids.

I guess it still comes down to your attitude and willingness to have fun, regardless of everybody else.

He still had fun playing the music. It was their longest gig. There was a a few hiccups, one noteable one by the director. But still he had fun.

First Prom

He is only 14. Still three months until he turns 15. Way too young to go to prom. But going to prom he is.

The Jazz Band is playing. He is there now. He doesn't have a date, except with his trombone.

But he is still cute, and I still took a picture.

His Jazz tux. He didn't really want me take a picture.

Josh with his date. He wanted to get on the road, he didn't want to be late.

Craig's adventure

So Craig is in Southern California.

He stopped in St. George to drop off some clothes to Joe's kids. I had two kitchen bags full of clothes from Boaz's closet. Some of them were from Debbie's boys. It is nice to be able to pass along clothes to the cousins.

Here is a picture of Ben wearing one of Josh's favorite shirts from 4th grade. It says, "Homework kills trees. It must be stopped." Ben remembers Boaz wearing it the last time he saw him. How cute it that? Craig is on the couch in the background.

He knows I love this temple, so he took a picture and sent it to me.

Seriously, one of my very favorite temples. It reminds me of the night I cried and felt the comfort of Heaven around me. Special memories.

Yesterday he got the keys to his little apartment. It has a workout room, a pool, and a business center. He feels set, except that we are here. We are texting and calling a lot. We send random pictures throughout the day.

He thought I might like this one.

Gorgeous tree.

He is walking distance from the A's stadium. So I got these.

He was early enough to watch batting practise. I hope the stadium filled up for the game.

Something to look forward to when we all get there. Josh might have to bring a book. He wasn't too impressed last summer. The game went into extra innings and they left before somebody won. It was around midnight.

He is about 15 minutes away from the Newport Beach Temple. That is closer than we are to the Idaho Falls Temple. That blows my mind. He did a session on Saturday morning. I'm so glad he went, I just wish I had gone with him. 

Tomorrow he will go to church and meet people. Although he told me he is already meeting some of his neighbors. I love that. 

He is worried about how we will transition, but he is loving it there. I'm sure we will all be just fine.

More updates to come.

Track Meet

The first day I didn't get any pictures. He ran the 400 and the two mile (3600). Aunt Sandy and Grandma came to sit with us and cheer Josh on. I guess I was too busy talking to take pictures.

Boaz and I barely got there in time to watch him race the 400. I had planned to get some shopping done while we were in Idaho Falls and Rigby. But there was no time. After the race, I hurried to get him some food. Chicken, chips, fruit snacks and protein drinks at Mark's store. He liked the chicken and took some protien drinks. I have found that I love fruit snacks. I probably eat them more than the kids.

He was very happy with his 400 race. Racing with the big boys is a bit hard on me. He runs his race, but there is a senior who is state champion and competes nationally. He is incredibly fast. Blows my mind.

The 3600 is a grueling race. He was lapped and was the last one to finish, but he put in a good time for him. He and Craig are planning on training all summer to get ready for the new season. They have plans.

The next day I took Boaz out of school early so I could get my shopping done. I am going to do an eagle quilt for Josh for getting his Eagle. It is a bit of an incentive for him to not drop the project, I hope anyway. It was a shop hop, so I took the packet and tracked down stores I had never been too. The  navigation system in our new car was awesome. (Side note, the old truck and Suburban would never pass emissions in CA, so we got a new, smaller car. I love it.)

I dragged Boaz into five quilt shops. He was good natured about it, but it ranks down among his least favorite things to do -- going to a quilt shop with him mom.

It was a colder day. I took a few pictures for Craig.

A picture of Boaz and I huddled in our blankets.

Boaz trying to stay warm and read his book.

Josh ended up not running in the mile, but he did run the 800. I thought he did great, but he wasn't very happy. He was 8 seconds slower that he personal record. However the wind was blowing and it was a cold day. Not really optimal for running.

I offered to take him out to dinner, but he put a kabosh on that. We just drove home and I made spagetti.

I am still impressed that he made it to districts and a freshman. He's not too impressed. He said they had a spot open. He was just filling in the numbers.

Track is officially over. A whole bunch of time just opened up for my Josh.