STEVEN GRADUATES FROM HIGH SCHOOL

It's that time of the year when there is lots of grade promoting going on, and the big one, High School graduation.

Steven has accomplished one of those big milestones in life. Congrats, Steve.

 As I go on my morning walks, I see these signs on several houses showing us they have a graduate living there. 
Aria did the honors.

 With younger brother Nathan.

Oh no! Look who popped in the picture!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOPHIE, 10

She's hit the double digits. Remember that family reunion in Cedar City a few short years ago when Coppelia was so willing to share this new little baby with the long black hair, with anyone who wanted to have a chance to hold her!

Now she is involved in many activities.

 With a team mate by a similar statue.

 In the opening day parade. Note her coach on the right.

Participating in a Father/Daughter pinewood derby race. 

Cute car

Here's the cast of the Incompleat (yes that is the 'right' spelling) Works of Shakespeare, a play her Uncle Dennis wrote and is directing. 

 Look at that cutie in the middle.

ARLINGTON CEMETERY

A friend sent this to me and I found it fascinating. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Love, Mom 

ARLINGTON CEMETERY Jeopardy Question: On Jeopardy awhile back, the final question was "How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns?" All three contestants missed it! This is really an awesome sight to watch if you've never had the chance.  Fascinating. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why? 21 steps:  It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary. 2. How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and why? 21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1.   3. Why are his gloves wet? His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle. 4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time and, if not, why not? He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb.  After his march across the path, he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder. 5. How often are the guards changed? Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.  6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to? For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5' 10' and 6' 2' tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30.  They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform or the tomb in any way. After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin. Eternal Flame The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt. There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror. The first six months of duty a  guard cannot talk to anyone nor watch TV. All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery . A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred. Among the notables are:President Taft, Joe Lewis {the boxer} Medal of Honor winner Audie L. Murphy, the most decorated soldier of WWII and of Hollywood fame. Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM. In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington, DC, our US Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm. On the ABC evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the hurricane, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment. They respectfully declined the offer, "No way,  Sir!" Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a service person. The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930. God Bless and keep them.

ROBERT HIKES MT. HOOD

Every year Robert and two friends do an arduous hike up some mountain or another. It requires a lot of planning, and getting in shape. This year it was Mt. Hood in Oregon.

 Yep! We're gonna climb that!

 I think they start off dressed like this.

And end up like this.

 Mt. Hood in the summer.

 No accidents while on the hike, but approaching the parking lot, tripped and fell!

 Ouch!

Another boo-boo.

MEMORIAL DAY 2015

Memorial Day, especially in Utah is a big thing. Years ago I remember my Mother calling it Decoration Day because that is the day you would decorate the graves of your deceased relatives.

Today I went to my sister Ann's gravesite and placed a few flowers. She is buried in Payson, Utah, a town about 10 miles south of Springville. The whole cemetery was awash with flowers. Beautiful.

An Eagle Scout for his "project" has put all the information in protected notebook sleeves. The first column is for the day she was born (26th) (Chai, Mary Ann Price), the second for the month (March), the 3rd column is for the year (1933), the 4th is for the day she died (13), the 5th is for the month (Nov) and the 6th is for the year she died (1984). The 7th is where you can find the grave site. I had a hard time getting all the info in and it was so bright and sunny, I couldn't tell if I was successful. Well, I got most of it! 

Then you look on the map above and it guides you to the site.

 I placed my little bouquet on the headstone, next to another. I spent some time there reminiscing and then as I was driving away, I saw Beki and Tom placing some flowers. We had a lovely visit.

*******

Many streets in Utah towns are adorned with flags in the front yard. It is usually done by a contribution to the Boy Scouts and they place the flags there on every major holiday. It's a beautiful site.

 You can see 3 flags, but check out those gorgeous mountains!

 Here's a house with a flag in the front yard.

Can you find 6 flags?????? 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVEN

Today Steven turns 18. He is an Eagle Scout and has his driver's license, a graduate of LDS Seminary, has been in several plays and soon to be a high school graduate. Great accomplishments Steven. We're very proud of you!

 Graduating from Seminary.

 Taking his family on a thrill ride.

Performing in Hello Dolly.

THE SATURDAY GET TOGETHER CONTINUES . . .

After breakfast and clean-up we went outside to enjoy the lovely warm weather and watch the little kids, (and big kids) play.

 Jeanine, Melissa, Liz

 The guys playing their version of tennis/baseball?????

 Little Claire mastering the two wheeler.

 Grandma - - can I ? .  .  . 

 Great Grandma having a little rest with London.

 Here's the whole group.

 And the birthday girl.

The Sanders Family 

 Blake playing a piano piece for me. Very impressive.

 Grandpa found some toes to tickle.

 Mark and Liz in front of their new car. Ooooh la-la.

 More tickling.

 Jeanine and Melissa with Faith having a visit.

Robert ready for an 8 mile run in preparation for his big mountain climb. (More about that later.)

BREAKFAST AT THE SANDERS

When it was finally determined that I would go to Northern California and visit the Sanders, January called her boys and told them to figure out a time when they could ALL come to visit Grandma. They got their schedules to agree on Saturday, May 18 from 9a to noon. Not an easy task for 3 busy guys. January planned a wonderful breakfast of bacon & eggs, hash browns, fruit, donuts, milk and juice. We had a wonderful visit and it was so fun to catch up.

 Making sure everything is right.

 A beautifully set table.

 A lovely fruit compote.

 Mark and Liz were the first to arrive.

 An array of lovely pictures.

  Robert with Faith who will be one in June.

Blake, age 11 in June

Grace, age 9 in July

 Two of the sisters-in-law, Melissa and Liz (Derek and Jeanine were soon to arrive).

 Melissa and January

Getting ready to sit down. Mark is showing Claire where to sit.

If Bob's around, plan on a little horse play.

 Jeanine on the left, and Derek next to January.

We also celebrated London's birthday. She's wearing the crown and sitting next to Grandma.

 What could that big present be for London???????

 Now that is one unique gift.

Time to clean up. Bob is always so good to do the dishes.

After a meal like that, the floor needs to be swept.

More about the rest of the day next time. . .