Our Trip to Clearfield: Part II

While we were in Clearfield, we stayed at Karl and Lesle's house. Uncle Karl was gone on a business trip, so we got to spend a lot of time with Aunt Lesle. She let Jared help her with chores, like vacuuming and helping watch baby Boe (Justin and Courtney's baby boy). I think he mostly just wanted to pretend he was a little baby again like Boe. He loved playing with his toys anyway.

Boe almost four months old

We spent each day making a few more visits to people we wanted to see again before we'd be gone for a long time. We made sure to visit the grandparents on Ryan's side of the family. Ryan's dad's dad, Rodney and his wife Clara took good care of us when we went to see them and Grandpa Rod even gave Jared one of his derby cars that he'd made recently, since Jared was having so much fun with it.

Grandpa Rod and Step-grandma Clara

We also got to see Ryan's dad's mom, Grandma Reatha. She also took very good care of us, as grandmothers do and made sure Jared got some good snacks. We had a nice visit catching up when Ryan's Aunt Jody arrived with her daughter Sarah. Jared really liked Sarah and loved having a little friend to play with.

Grandma Reatha

Aunt Jody and Cousin Sarah

Before heading back to Provo, I was also able to see some of my best friends and my hometown ward again. We got to spend a night having dinner and playing games with my parent's family and also going to dinner with Ryan's brother's family. We had a great time and it was great to see everyone again and feel all the love and support of all our family and friends! It made this time all the more exciting for us! We love you all!! Thanks for everything!!

Our Trip to Clearfield: Part I

Last week we made a farewell trip up to Clearfield to visit with all our family and friends before we leave for Texas and don't see them again for a while.

First, we stopped at my Grandma Virgina's (my dad's mom) house. She always taught her kids and grand-kids how important getting an education was and she was so excited about Ryan graduating.

After that, we sent to my sisters, Jacque's, house for our niece's birthday party. Rachel was turning three-years-old! We got to see my parents and sister and all of Jacque's in-laws, who have been good friends to our family.

The Jacobs Family.

Rachel opening her presents.

 Rachel got a bit scared when Ryan gave her one of his big hugs.

 One of her favorite presents was a bow that her dad gave her.

Mom, Roni, and 11-month-old Kaydee.

Ryan and Jared hanging out at the Beaman's.

 Jacque made and decorated Rachel's cake herself. It turned out really good!

 One of Justin's relatives brought their dog. Jared loved playing with it.

That evening, we went back to Karl and Lesle's (Ryan's aunt and uncle) to celebrate their son, Bryson's, homecoming from his mission to Santa Rosa, California. There, we were also able to see more family and friends.

 Sunday morning, Ryan gave Jared a really nice hair cut, that I guess made his eyes a little ichty...

 ...and his pants. But he looked really good after.=)

Ryan the Alumnus!

Ryan officially graduated from BYU during commencement yesterday, but today we enjoyed the convocation ceremony where he walked with his fellow engineer graduates. I was so so proud of him; I found myself holding back tears every now and again throughout the events of the past two days. This is an exciting time for Ryan! It's really begun to sink in for Ryan that he's actually done it and he's graduating!

Yesterday, we went to the Commencement ceremony, with all the graduates from the university. It was amazing to see how many graduates there were. Elder Perry spoke and gave a great talk about values the graduates should keep close to them as they move forward in their lives.

Today was the Convocation ceremony with the other engineering graduates. That was a little more exciting, getting to see Ryan walk and get his name called. I know there were family and friends who wanted to be there, but couldn't, so I took a recording, so you could see his big moment.

Ryan with his friend Paul, graduating with the same degree.

Jared was excited to see his daddy again after the long ceremony.

 Ryan plans to take some time off before starting work, to visit family, and then will start work in Houston at the end of June. =)

Our Weekend with Two Lovely Ladies

 

 For General Conference weekend, we got to have two lovely ladies, my mom, Mary, and little sister, Roni, come visit us, and we had so much fun with them! The first thing they did when they arrived is give Jared his Easter basket. He loved it. He had to open each and every egg and and dump out the candy; it made Mom and Roni laugh every time, so he thought it was a lot of fun. Roni just started working in the wheel in her ceramics class at school, she was impressed to see all of Ryan's great work.

 

 Friday evening we went in to the ceramic studio on campus to see Ryan make his final two ceramic projects, so Roni could see his technique. He let Roni and my mom pick what they wanted him to make for them.

Saturday morning, we had some fluffy, big, orange rolls with orange frosting. They were really good! We enjoyed conference, and as seems to be the tradition, we took naps in between or after sessions.

 Jared took advantage of Roni holding really still by playing on her with is crocodile. It seemed the whole weekend they were there he was laughing and giggling and playing every minute he was awake. Grandma Mary was one pretty energetic and playful grandma; what a lucky boy Jared is. She was running around playing shooting games and tickling him and hiding with him. He always had to know where she was. When she went to take a shower one morning, he spent the whole time banging on the door and waiting for her to come out and play with him again. He even came and got me and asked me please to open the door for him. 

 

 One morning he had to get in bed and cuddle with Roni, when he woke up and found her still in bed. He loves cuddling! Later, during conference, while she was trying to take notes, he decided to help, by drawing pictures in her note book. She didn't mind. =)

 

He then went to help Grandma, who was sketching a picture of the Salt Lake Temple. She gave him a blank paper to draw on. He had to stop and turn around and give her a hug several times though. She loved that!

 

On Sunday, before they left, we made sure to play some games, because playing games is always a hoot when you're with family. We've made such fond memories while playing cards and other games and this time wasn't any different. At one point Mom was having a hard time winning, so for one game, Roni and I made it our goal to help her win. We were successful, and then all of a sudden she kept winning whether we were helping or not.  

 We had a great time and were so so glad they could come! Jared especially had a great time having two more play mates who just wanted to play with him and hug him all day! This boy definitely knows he's loved!

Ryan's Graduation!!!

Ryan only has a few more days left of classes and a couple finals to take and then he is done with school!! We're so excited!! He's worked many long hard years for this and I'm so proud of him. It's a funny feeling when something that's looked so far away for so long comes to you. It's very exciting though! Here's Ryan's graduation announcement; even though we'll be sending them out, I thought I'd post it to share the exciting news.

Yay!!! For Ryan!!!!