April 23-27-Trip to Utah for BYU/UVU Graduation

James and I flew to Utah on April 23rd early in the morning. (Our good friend Scott picked us up at 0530 to take us to the airport--He would have to be a good friend to do that!) Aaron was there to pick us up. Wednesday we drove to Bountiful to have Chinese Food with Mary and pick up Grandma Conger. James and I stayed with Matt and Katherine and Grandma stayed with Aaron and Lauren.

April 24-dawned cold and snow was falling. We all met together at 1130 for lunch at Matt and Katherine's. Aaron and Lauren could not attend Commencement because they were working in the Tipanogos Temple. We arrived early at the Marriott Center and saved seats for good friends Denny, Lisa and Ethan Anderson. They were up from Jackson California to see Miranda and Cody graduate. We also were able to talk with our other good friends Larry and Linda Critchfield, also from Jackson who were up to see Matt graduate. Elder Bednar spoke on 'Learn to Love Learning'. It was very enjoyable.

This is Lisa and me. We are and always will be kindred spirits. Last year we got to sit together for Katherine's graduation and I am so glad we could do the same this year. Her friendship means the world to me. Lisa, you look great!

After graduation we went back to Matt and Katherine's and they fixed us dinner of Salmon with Basil Sauce. It was very good!






After dinner we drove to the Tipanogos Temple.
James and I were witness couple while Aaron officiated and Lauren was assisted at the session. It was so nice to be there as a family with Matt, Katherine and Grandma Conger.










April 24th--Happy Anniversary Honey! We have had 28 years of learning and growing. I feel so blessed to be married to a wonderful man who loves me and treats me like a Queen. What better place to spend your anniversary than at the temple with your family. I love you James!












Here is James, myself and Grandma Conger after the session.









April 25-The day came much too early; but we didn't have snow. We had to be at Matt's graduation at 0800. We saved seats for Aaron, Lauren and Grandma who arrived with 2 minutes to spare! There were so many grads in Matt's area that Aaron and Lauren had to leave by 0900 so that they could get to Aaron's Commencement; they were not able to see Matt get his diploma. Katherine called Matt and told him that after he received his diploma, he had to exit stage left. He walked across the stage and made his escape through the throngs of parents taking pictures.

We drove across town to Orem and caught up with Lauren who was saving seats for us. I was very excited to hear Governor Huntsman speak and very disappointed when I learned he had shoulder surgery and the speaker was the Lieutenant Governor.

After commencement we drove back to Aaron's and Lauren's where they fixed us a nice lunch and then hurried to Aaron's graduation. I don't know what we would do without cell phones. We were able to find both Matt and Aaron even though they were in a sea of black capes and graduation hats.



Lauren and Aaron at Utah Valley University at Commencement. Below is Aaron with his aviation wings after graduation.












Here we are: James, Matt, Aaron and Kathleen after graduation at UVU. We were glad Matt had his cap and gown in the trunk so we could have pictures afterward.

















Matt and Aaron

Grandma Conger, Katherine, Lauren and Kathleen after graduation at UVU.



After everyone was graduated, we headed to Tucanos where Aaron and Matt decided they wanted to celebrate. We feasted on Brazilian food. Our favorite was the BBQ pineapple, the garlic sirloin and the fruit drinks.




After eating we went back to Aaron and Lauren's place and watched a video that Aaron had on the Van Nuys Airport in California and small airports in general that are being replaced by subdivisions and shopping malls. We also played a hearty game of 'Bang' in which Kathleen was finally able to be 'Sheriff'.








Saturday we met at Aaron and Lauren's for breakfast and then headed south to Manti Utah and the temple there. The drive through the canyone was scenic. Manti is such a beautiful temple. The stonework is a amazing as is the inside of the temple. We went through a session and then Aaron asked someone to show us the staircases. We were told there were only a handful of this kind of staircase in the US and two of them were in the Manti Temple. One wound clockwise and the other counterclockwise. We stood at the base looking up 6 complete circles and with no center support. It was magnificent.

Here we are at the end of our session. The temple is out in the middle of nowhere. On our way home we stopped at the 'Snow Dragon' for Chinese Food.

That evening we went to Ted and Debbie Conger's in Salt Lake for a Graduation BBQ. We had a wonderful visit with them. Then James and I headed north in the BMW, dropping Grandma off in Ogden (Where she would stay until May 2nd when she reports for her mission.) and we drove on. We planned on making it to Twin Falls but found we were too tired and stayed in Burley. After a much needed rest, we drove home the rest of the way arriving Sunday evening. We are so grateful for our family--they are all wonderful. We love you!