Tyli's Blessing and Jacob's Graduation

Wow, it seems like since Russ has retired we're gone half the time. His executive secretary told me Sunday we should rent our house out, because we're never home. 

On March 22nd we drove to Coeur d' Alene, Idaho to meet with our Financial Planner. We both drove a car as we were selling our VW GTI to Jared. After meeting with our planner longer than we had expected we didn't leave Coeur d' Alene until 5:30 Utah time. By the time we got to Butte, Montana my eyes were killing me. I knew it'd be after midnight before we got to Lindsey's so we spent the night there and left early the next morning. We had a really nice weekend with Lindsey, Jared and Jacob's family. We missed having Kristy's family with us! We went bowling, out to eat, played games and just enjoyed visiting together. On Sunday our little Tyli Kay was blessed. What a sweet girl she is and we love her so much already. 

Tyli & Zayne

 Tyli was blessed on March 25th in the same dress Kristy, Lindsey and Jazlyn were blessed in.

 She looked SO cute!

It was nice to have 3 of Tyrel's brothers there. The last two were married this year so we were able to meet their sweet wives.

Jared & Maren with Tyli

 From Lindsey's we headed down to Ivins to spend a few days and took a hike in Snow Canyon.

 We headed back up to Ogden, Utah where Justin Kolilis was married. We've know him since he was 4 years old when we moved to Washington. He grew up with our kids and his parents have been dear friends over the years. It was our first time in the Ogden temple and its beautiful.

Jared was one of Justin's groomsmen and Justin was one of Jared's for his wedding.

 We decided since it was General Conference weekend and Russ didn't have to get back for anything we'd stay for Easter also. We stayed with Lindsey and went for a 3 mile walk with the boys. They were troopers, but Halter was really tired after that. He has one of those bikes that you don't peddle, but use your feet and his little 3 year old legs did great!

 Got to attend one of Tytyn's soccer games.

 Helped with the Easter eggs.

 These 3 were attending their Uncles wedding reception so we couldn't turn down a picture with them all looking this cute!!

 Little Princess

Hanging out after Easter dinner. So fun to see them and smooch with these adorable cheeks.

9 days after we returned from Utah and Idaho we flew back down for Jacob's graduation.

We arrived early on Wednesday so decided to see some historical sites in Salt Lake.

First, we stopped in City Creek to have breakfast at Kneaders. When we went to prepay our parking ticket Russ couldn't find it. He emptied out all of his pockets, but still nothing. We drove around and found some men working on one of the exits and he let us out free. (Normally he said they charge you $20 to get out). 

After making another stop, I was looking around when Russ left and returned a few minutes later looking quite frantic....he couldn't find his cell phone. The last place he remembered seeing it was when he cleaned out his pockets to find our parking ticket. It had been about 30 minutes. He was a little distraught because of all the info he had on there. He had made a lot of notes for our upcoming Stake Conference in 3 days. I began praying and felt at peace that it would all work out. He was convinced it would be gone. I told him to have FAITH! As we hurried into the garage, keeping close tabs on our parking ticket, he spotted the prepay machine he'd tried to use. Right on top of it lay his cell phone!! What a tender mercy:) 

On our walk to the McCune Mansion I saw these tulips growing out of the cracks of the sidewalk. It reminded me of the quote: 

BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED

 McCune Mansion was built around 1900, costing $1,000,000.00 to build.

The husband was an entrepreneur and railroad tycoon and spent 2 years in Europe gathering things for this house. When the owners moved, the wife wanted to give the house to John Taylors wife, but she thought it was to ostentacious. They donated it to the church who sold it in 1999 to the McCarthey Family.

 This marble was brought from Africa.

We walked around temple square and enjoyed all the beautiful flowers.

 Thursday we headed to Rexburg and went out to Big Jed's with Jacob's family for dinner. It was snowing!! We ordered this 2 lb. hamburger and cut it into fourths. It was hopping with so many families there for graduation.

 Big day for Jacob! He graduated in Human Biology. It was a beautiful day, but cold and windy.

 Happy family:)

 Janette's mom, Gloria came and Kyle & Kathy (Janette's sister & husband). It was such a nice weekend and Janette made it a special day for Jacob. Little Zayne is SO cute and has such a fun personality. He gets so excited about things and his expressions are so cute. He was so good during both of the ceremonies we attended. 

I feel so blessed that we live in a country where we can receive an education. I know most of us don't think twice about it.

 I came across some pictures of my graduation from Utah State 35 years ago. Where did that time go? I reminded Jacob he has so much life ahead of him so take advantage of it.

He has a lot of potential and a great supportive wife! So happy we were able to go.

We had to leave shortly after, to drive back to SLC to catch a 5:50 am flight. 

Russ said to me one time, "you just love to buy airline tickets, don't you?" I replied," No, I love to see my kids & it takes airline tickets to see them!"

I love all my family SO much!! They are my greatest treasure!!