some firsts

First time: prom dress shopping with our daughter. Wow.

The prom was postponned a few months, but Hannah had already been shopping in Reno with a friend and had found a dress she really liked. Glen, Hannah, and I went and saw the dress. It was black and had some nice sparklies on it. I really liked it. Wish I had had my camera, but we didn't buy it. It would need to be altered and she would need a jacket for it, and even though the dress was on sale, it would be too expensive in the end.

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Steve the kitten:  I heard the story of Steve's miraculous life from her original family the other day. When Steve was born, they thought she wasn't going to make it...she wasn't breathing well at all (2 breaths a minute) and was growing cold. Becky was told that the kitten probably wouldn't make it. The fact that my feet get attacked by a playful kitten is a miracle. She's growing fat and doing fine.

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First time: Eric will be going to the temple to receive his endowment on Saturday September 29th. Wow.

In 2 months he will be 21, so he can go through the temple before receiving his mission call (usually one a young man receives his mission call before setting up an appointment with the temple), but we are working on him being called to serve a family history mission in Salt Lake.

We're not sure of the time line, but don't think it will take too long for the paper work to be turned in. This would be a 2 year, living as a missionary (no TV, computers, etc) but not proselyting mission. We aren't sure of specifics, but some work might include filming records in Salt Lake's granite mountain and doing some work on computers. What work on computers, I don't rightly know. But we are very excited. So is Eric.

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Ryan bought a nerf gun. Four of his 5 roommates bought nerf guns. Every college student needs a nerf gun. I think he's getting some homework done, too.

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I've gone to my first couple of my mosaic/stained glass class and last time we started cutting glass tiles to practice for our projects. Glass chips were flying everywhere and our shapes were a bit funky, but I think I got the hang of it and I'm looking forward to getting started on my project.

and now for your viewing pleasure

It was quite a week for me. Ryan and I went up to Rexburg, Idaho (spending a night in Idaho Falls on the way there) where I got him settled in his dorm, ready for his first semester of college. Then I headed down to Provo to meet up with Andrew and his girlfriend, Heather.

There are 6 guys in Ryan's dorm. His cousin, Michael, and their friend, Jason, share a room. Landen from Orange county CA and Scott from the Sacramento area share another room. They both seem very nice. Since Ryan's roommate wasn't a freshman (we thought he was a sophomore, but it turns out he's a senior), he didn't go to freshman orientation, so I didn't get to meet him. But I guess he got in today and his name is Alec and he's from Arkansas.

Classes start for them on Monday. Ryan has communication essentials, writing and reasoning foundations, general psychology (online), a class on the culture of China, and a mission prep class.

outside the Idaho Falls Temple

Jason, Ryan, and Michael outside their dorm heading off to freshman orientation

Landen and Ryan heading off to meet with their assigned group

the Rexburg Temple is just a 1/2 mile from Ryan's dorm

After leaving Ryan, I drove down to Utah and spent the night at Teresa and Matt's house before heading down to Provo Friday morning. While Andrew was in class, I visited the MOA (BYU's Museum of Art). Later, Andrew, Heather, and I went back to the MOA and Sarah met up with us there.

a cow for Hannah (in a display about Islamic art)

stained glass for me

this was part of the Andy Warhol exhibit, though this piece wasn't done by Andy but by Takashi Murakami in the Think Flat exhibit (for Alex?)

Andrew and Heather in the Think Flat exhibit

a hands-on Warhol exhibit

Heather

After the MOA, we picked up cousin Amanda, too, and drove to Brandon and Calista's where we had a birthday party for Alicia--she just turned 21 so we drank non-alcoholic fancy drinks. Mormons really know how to live. Before the drinks, though, we played volleyball on a handball court. As always, it was a blast.

Brandon, Calista, Dallin, Alicia, Jacob, Sarah, and Quinten

Brandon and Calista teaching the art of using a blender to make a drink

After the drinks came some game playing. Reverse Charades is where everyone acts out the same thing to one member of their team. I'm terrible at it, but it was fun.


Susan, Brandon, Calista, Amanda

We took a little break to watch the Utah St Aggies beat the Utah Utes in overtime. It was sweet.

Heather, Andrew, Alicia, Jacob (and 1/2 of Sarah)

Andrew, Quinten, and Sarah playing charades

Andrew, Quinten, Alicia, and Sarah acting out "Dumbo"

Still working on Dumbo

I don't remember what they were acting out here, but it looks funny

Amanda,  Calista, and Susan having a great time

So, it was a tiring, but great, trip. Can't believe Ryan is in college now. What an exciting time for him.