Kirsti's BYU graduation

Time to share the back-log of photos and adventures of the past six weeks!  First we go back to the end of April when Kirsti graduated from BYU.  Steve and I flew to Utah to witness this momentous event.







 
The commencement exercises in the Marriott Center were impressive (President Uchtdorf was there and spoke briefly.  He had grandchildren graduating).  Aside from the hour-long exit from the parking lot, it was worth attending.  The next morning was the convocation for the School of Fine Arts.  We had front row balcony seats in the DeJong Concert Hall.  We saw Monte Belknap and Larry Lowe from afar.  Of course, since Kirsti had the last name of Merrill instead of Lambson, neither one had any clue that she was a Lambson and that there might be family out in the audience.  The only former Columbia resident that Steve and I made connections with while we were out in Utah was Moana Burns.  I had a nice but short little visit with her at a hardware store in American Fork while Steve, Kirsti, and Ryan shopped for ceramic pots to plant Kirsti's little succulents.

BYU campus was beautiful, as always.  The flower beds were full of tulips
 
 We were able to attend the Sacred Gifts exhibit at the Museum of Art and see some of the works of 
Carl Bloch, Heinrich Hofmann, and Frans Schwartz.  Magnificent.  And, oh, my, it was wonderful to see those mountains again! 

 

After we took a tour of Forever Green, the company where Kirsti works, we visited the Orem cemetery where Steve's folks are buried.

 
We stopped by the Cougar Stadium parking lot where our life together began 39 years ago

We checked on the progress of the Provo Tabernacle Temple construction.

We had the opportunity to attend the Mt. Timpanogos temple with Steve's sisters and their husbands Friday evening.  Katie Lambson, Steve's niece, was receiving her endowments in preparation for her marriage the following week.  This was the first time that four of the five children of Virgil and Iola were together in the temple for more than just a marriage sealing.

Steve, Maureen, Michelle, Cal, Mike

We spent Friday night and Saturday with Michelle and Mike up at Maureen and Cal's home.  This is a picture of their greenhouse.  They live at such a high altitude that the growing season is really short.  This greenhouse allows them to grow Maureen's beloved cucumbers and tomatoes a little longer



I can see why they love living where they do with views like this!

 















On Sunday, we drove to Grantsville to spend time with Michelle and Mike and their family.  We were able to visit with all three of Michelle's kids and their families.  Dave and Megan came - Dale was home sick.  Kirsti and Ryan drove up.

It was a delightful trip.

Early May had gorgeous weather.   Here is a shot of Steve and the dogs on our morning walk.






















 We finally planted our rose garden out in the front strip between the sidewalk and the street.  We bought nine “knock-out” roses – which is a variety of ever-bloom rose bush – three red, three yellow, and three pink.   



AND, I made a new blueberry bed out of retaining wall blocks and finally planted my three blueberry plants.  It is located on the south side of the house outside the backyard fence so “grand-dogs” won’t dig them up.