The weekend that was!

It has been a crazy, busy weekend - but a fun one!!

We started out celebrating Noah's 24th birthday with dinner at Haiku Kitchen - good eats if you haven't tried it - and then went to the $3 movie at the Academy - a good deal!! And the movie was funny - I don't think I would have even thought of going to it, but I did find myself laughing a lot!!

Then we came home and packed - and discovered that Blogger was down! So I didn't get to post about celebrating Noah's birthday, or paying tribute to Dawn on her big day. I haven't even gotten the report on it yet - we just got home this afternoon.

And Hannah has a great report on her blog, so check it out, if you haven't already.

After arriving in DC, we went to Eliza's for dinner and conversation - and fashion discussions for the next day, of course!! If you look closely at the above shot, you can see Hannah, marching in to her convocation - she's turned around - apparently looking for us. (We found each other and waved vigorously!!)

It was more efficient to photograph the jumbo-tron than to try to photograph the actual event!!

There was a reception at the Museum Studies offices, and after the convocation, Hannah took us to the Gelman Library where we could admire firsthand the exhibit she had spearheaded.

We were indeed feeling like proud parents!!

Next day was commencement - we spent Saturday night at Hannah and Robbie's - they generously gave up their bed and slept on their blow-up bed in the living room. It was cozy and snug, I will say that!

Commencement was outside on the National Mall - and rain had been predicted - Saturday was rainy, but that program was inside.

Although Sunday dawned gray and cloudy, the sun came out and blue skies prevailed. We sat on park benches under the trees on the side of the main event - there were big screens and some pretty effective loud speakers, so we didn't miss anything - just sitting in the sun!!

The university sent Hannah an email Saturday night telling her to be prepared for rain. And she was!!

And even though we didn't have any rain, the umbrellas kept Theo and Ida happy as could be!!

We hiked to and from commencement - since parking is such an issue - it was about 3 miles total, so I got my exercise!! Hannah and Robbie had planned a picnic, but with the weather forecasts, ended up postponing. Some of their local friends came by and we had cake and other munchies.

Then it was back to VA and getting ready to leave this morning. Our flights were uneventful - just the way you like them. I got one book read, watched several episodes of House, and read three magazines.

All was in good shape at home - I even have the laundry here caught up!!

It's back to work!!

But it was wonderful to spend time with family, celebrate Hannah's achievement, and get away from the routine for a little while!!

And it's going to be a busy summer!!

"We'll remember always, graduation day . . "

For the uninitiated, the title is from a song we old-timers remember from the 50's. If you were here, I'd hum a few bars for you all!!

This was the graduation announcement we sent out for Noah - who chose not to walk - but it does express our feelings about "getting everyone through the system!"

Eliza commented on her blog that she was looking for a graduation photo - which made me wonder if I could come up with a graduation photo of each one of you - and I did!

Bonny Brae - the first grad - as usual she led the way magnificently!!

Harry F. - it was one of those June-gloomy nights - but we were happy to see Harry graduate.

The weather didn't co-operate when Phoebe graduated either - it rained - hard enough to drive the event indoors - an auditorium full of wet folks - many annoyed at being packed into a space too small to hold them all!!

Eliza's graduation was in the evening - but I guess the sunset was pretty bright, and she felt she needed her "shades!"

Hannah's graduation was on June 18, 2003 - exactly 7 years ago tonight.

And though Noah chose not to walk, he did choose to bring home the Josten proofs of him in a cap and gown!!

Bonny's 20th is coming up - Phoebe's 15th - Eliza's 10th - so that would be Harry's 18th, Hannah's 7th and Noah's 5th.

My 48th is next January - and Dad's 48th would be this month.

But hey, who's counting!!

Graduations are interesting events. We got through another Clifton promotion today - with the construction at the high school, we had to have it in the auditorium and each student only got 2 tickets. So the crowd was small, mostly adult, and generally better-behaved than I've seen in a long time. (Except for the guy who shoved his way through and yelled that he was coming in without a ticket and no one was going to stop him. Those manning the doors chose to "let it go" - and maybe he will get his comeuppance - or not. But no one felt like arguing. He was probably outside the Staples Center last night!!)

A district official was commenting that promotions and graduations - which abound in MUSD - kinder, elementary, middle school and high school graduations - seem to really bring out the crowds - people love to celebrate she said.

I thought about how many of those who flock to the "end," are never there in the "during" - never at Open House, Back to School Night, Parent/Teacher Conferences, Parent Education meetings, IEP meetings, PTA meetings.

Just some food for thought from the lady whose favorite event is not a graduation! (Though I'm usually excited to see the people involved!!)

This is the weekend that was!! (again!!)

So, we can wait for me to figure out all the ins and outs on my new computer - or I can just comment on each photo and you can file them chronologically in your brain!!

Hannah got here Wednesday night - just in time for a lovely shower at Dawn and Harry's place - hosted by Sue Cornwall - a wonderful time was had by all!! The food was wonderful - but we knew it would be - great food and Sue Cornwall just go together!

This was the "Clayton" crew that was in attendance - it ws great to see everyone!!

Hannah with Diane, Susie and her friend Sue - Diane made a special trip for the occasion -we were really glad to see her and to meet Susie and her friend.

Theo and Eliza came Thursday a.m. and we had fun getting to know Theo again!!

We enjoyed seeing Pam and Katie at the shower!

Here we start getting out of order - Friday was my birthday, Dawn was working, so those of us who were around went to the Spaghetti Factory for a birthday dinner.

Grandma Terrill made a lovely bride in couture wedding gown of toilet paper!! If my scanner worked, I'd put in the one from years ago at Bonny's shower!

And Ara was a lovely bride too!

Mary joined the wedding dress parade,

as did Katie!

Saturday found us at the temple with Hannah - what a great day - we were especially pleased that Diane and David, Robbie's parents, were able to join us. When we have gone to the temple with each of our daughters, their grooms' parents have joined us - what a nice tradition that has been.

Bruce took this shot, so of course he's not in it!

After dinner Friday night, we came home to enjoy a "Mimi Cake" from Dawn - always a big hit!

Harry was relishing his dinner - Theo was pretty tired - but a good sport about it all!

Dad and Noah enjoying their dinner.

This should be the last shot - Hannah and Robbie with a trunk load of shower gifts - departing Monday a.m.

And the next-to-last shot would be Eliza and Theo at Burbank Airport getting ready to return home.

Another birthday celebration at Bonny and Bruce's on Sunday - 8 of the 11 grandkids were there - I've noticed that we seem to always have 8 there! Hopefully we can get a shot of all 11 of them at the wedding - a shot that will be "current" for about 3 months and then be outdated once more!

We tried for a "group shot" here, but everyone didn't co-operate. The Barbie Jeep was a big hit Sunday afternoon.

A couple of interested drivers!!

After everyone left on Monday, my cleaning gal was there - when she left, it felt a bit melancholy - didn't seem as if anyone had even been there!

So I went to the Mall, of all places!! What was I thinking?? It was crazy - I was ready to pay for valet parking - but that was even full!!

But I did find a spot, and did find a pair of shoes for the wedding - and they are pink!

And that night I babysat for Harry and Dawn so they could celebrate their anniversary - and so ended a long, happy, fun, busy, jam-packed-full weekend!!

(How am I ever going to finish the Anniversary Posts???)

August Adventures or Hannah Graduates and Has a Birthday too!

I'm not sure why this posts so tiny - but it's Robbie and Hannah in their matching tee shirts - didn't want to miss showing it to all of you - since we made a special trip to get them made - it's a lion and a tiger meeting each other!

This looks like an "eternal" post - there are a lot of pictures! (32 if you are keeping track!) You will have to be really interested to plow through all of them! (And at the moment, I'm not inclined to put them all in order either - after all, we do have a plane to catch to Portland tomorrow at 6:30 a.m.!)

We appreciated Phil and Lynnette's hospitality - Chez Selander is the best place in town!

On the day we left, Saturday, Robbie and Hannah fixed us breakfast - crepes and all! A little farewell to the Meringue House!

When we got to Cedar City, Dad hooked up his computer and started making plans for the Hood to Coast!

And we caught the Green Show prior to King Lear - pretty good play - but depressing! Fodder for conversation on the way home however!

The following photos are from the Grad Party at Provo Bicentennial Park on Friday after convocation - a happening affair - there were lots of Hannah's friends there - but I mostly posted pics of those the majority of our readership might recognize! The above is Felipe, Harry, Richard and Harry, enjoying "guy talk!"

In the midst of the party we had a little downpour - seemed to cool things off! Nothing like Utah summer rain to take you back!

Tom and LeeAnn Powell came - what fun to see them!

The Jason Millers brought Hannah a Candy Gram - ah, those were the days - I remember making lots of candy grams at one point in time - like the 4 years I was YW President!

Fun to see Joey, Mercy and Maddy!

Richard, Erika and Julie mug for the camera!

It was great to see Jason, Becky and kids - Hannah has seen a lot of them this year - they will miss her and she will miss them!

Hootie takes bocce ball to a whole new level!

Dawn and Erika with the "girls" and Harry William lets his opinion of the affair be known!

Hannah leaving BYU on Graduation day!

A little private alumni meeting!

You have to look hard to see the Y on the mountain - I was feeling sort of "farewellish!"

We loved seeing the Faulconers at the Grad Party!!

And the Cornwalls came too! At least the current Provo contingent!!

Mandy, Robbie, Melanie and Laura came to convocation to cheer Hannah on!

A big hug from Dr. Webb as she strides across the platform at convocation!

Harry, Dawn and Family came for graduation too - and Eve got a bee sting while we were taking pictures - but she was brave - and Eliza told her about her bee sting when she was 5 years old!

The girls of Monrovia!

What Theo thought of all of it!

We paid a call to Dr. Thayer.

Eliza and Mandy hooked up for some catching up - and Mandy got to meet Theo!

Theo was often a very tired boy - but he wins the Best Baby Award for graduation - he was a trooper!

And could be counted on for a smile!.

Harry William slept through most of the proceedings - something I felt like doing too!

Another smile from the trooper!

"Ah, this is more like it - I'm tired of strollers, car seats and people's arms!"

Dinner at Thai Ruby's on Thursday after commencement.

Thursday morning we met up with Trudy, Frances, Doug and LaDenea at Chuck-A-Rama - a quick visit but fun!

"Excuse me, I'll have peas and applesauce please!"

Ran into Harry and fam in the parking lot of the Marriott Center - they had just arrived after a day of travel, so they skipped commencement and opted for convocation the next day.

A family shot after graduation (commencement).

Robbie and Hannah.

Stopping in Fillmore on the way up to Utah - windy I guess!

Got to Provo on Tuesday and had dinner at Bajio with Robbie and Hannah.

A rainbow to greet us!

Theo and I were backseat buddies.

This is a really random end shot - at Chuck-A-Rama! As you can see, this is somewhat backwards - but I'm afraid to wait until after we get back from Portland!

It's been a crazy busy summer - and not quite over yet!