Uncle Phil's New Toy

Our trip home last Saturday from Utah included a stop in St. George. We found Phil and Lynette displaying their fun car at a car show. It is a 1931 Chevy Cabriolet, very rare. They were having a great time wearing their matching shirts from St. Martens (from a trip to see Jill and family) and visiting with everyone. The white car behind them belongs to their neighbor.
It has a rumble seat in the back, which they say is a favorite riding spot of their grandchildren.
I love the paint job. We followed them out at the end, and they were getting lots of honks and whistles from other cars. It must feel pretty good to make a statement. They took it to Sedona and Oak Creek for a Chevy Rally a few months back. We had a great visit and realized that they are only getting younger!

Blooms of the Week - From Temple Square

We often find ourselves in Utah for a BYU graduation on our wedding anniversary. It was our 33rd this April 25th. We took off by ourselves Friday afternoon after Andrew's convocation. We drove to SLC and went to Temple Square. We have often made this couple's trip in April to see the beautiful tulips and flowers. It was also at Temple Square in front of the Christus statue that Glen proposed to me in 1974. We parked under the Joseph Smith Building and while passing through, decided to watch the Joseph Smith movie. We had already purchased tickets for the Emma Smith movie later that evening. We highly recommend both movies. We think it is important to see the Joseph Smith movie first. Emma was sponsored by the Joseph Smith Family Historical Society and it uses many of the scenes not used in the Joseph Smith movie which was sponsored by the church. They very much complement each other and there is a special connection which occurs with the same actors playing Joseph and Emma in each movie.

Ranes Family Graduation Pictures

The plan was for the boys to wear their matching Easter outfits. Too cold, so Janae had to pull out their winter sweaters. Andrew was one of the few receiving a bachelor's degree having his picture taken while holding two children. I guess you could say he had some physiology and developmental biology going on at home, too.

Andrew's Commencement Day

As many of you know, and as we learned at Eric's BYU Commencement eight years ago, if you want a decent seat in the Marriott Center you have to go early. I volunteered for seat saving duty as long as I was dropped off at the MOA first. I very much wanted to view the Minerva Teichert exhibit while in town. The Marriott Center opened at 2 pm for commencement at 4 pm. As I walked to the exit of the MOA at 1:50 I was amazed to see snowflakes falling. This was a first, snow falling for April graduation. It was a memorable walk to the ramp and over to the Marriott. I did get the row of seats I wanted, Portal G just above the wheelchair seating. More room for legs.

The processional started at 3:30 pm. The organ music began and Raymond said, "Church hongs?" He then proceeded to direct the organ for the next half hour. Henry just wanted to eat.

Andrew's mom and husband flew in from Florida that day to celebrate with Andrew.

I know, I know, not such a great picture but Andrew is seated down below us in that sea of black and Elder Bednar was speaking. He talked of the importance of continuing to learn and to always include spiritual learning.

After the ceremony, we went out to the southeast lawn for pictures. Notice that now the sun is shining. The grass was wet from melted snow. That little tree on the left by the girl's elbow is usually in bloom this time of year and our preferred background. The trees in front of the condo are usually in bloom in April as well, but not this April. I had purchased tickets for everyone to go to the Hinckley Building for a dinner and dance and fireworks. The fireworks were canceled due to weather and the band and tables and chairs had been moved indoors as well. It made for less than ideal conditions but we enjoyed one another's company and we enjoyed seeing inside the Hinckley Building for the first time.

Thanksgiving Point

Large billboards advertised a "Tulip Festival" at Thanksgiving Point. Glen and I rounded up Janae and boys to visit this new place and see the color. Utah has been unusually cold, so it wasn't their best tulip season, but the "Garden at Thanksgiving Point" was beautiful.While Grandpa Glen purchased our tickets, Raymond and I wandered the gift shop. Raymond fell in love with the big chair. It took some talking to get him back out. Perhaps he was just resting up for his "long walk."
We will definitely have to visit again during our summer visit when this curving arbor/walkway will be covered with climbing roses.
Henry napped in his wrap around stroller. Thank goodness it wrapped around because it was a windy day. Grandpa insisted on a picture of him and Henry Glen.
Raymond takes a rest near some of the more colorful beds.
That's Janae with her camera. She also added many pictures to her blog. The garden was very big covering a large area of rolling hills, streams, and even man made waterfalls.

I'm sure you have been waiting for "Blooms of the Week"

The 2nd iris has finally bloomed. It is lovely.
The 1st iris continues to bloom in the background. Which color do you like best? 2nd iris is named "Orange Flirt." I was expecting something, well, orangish. Maybe it flirts because it is winking at orange from across the color wheel. Your father brought home these lilies, which look much like my day lilies but bigger, earlier this Spring. One finally bloomed. It is small, but beautifully formed. It also lasted just a day, but there are buds promising more to follow.
I planted some of these autumn sunflowers last Fall because of their coloring. This is a left over volunteer trying to break into Spring and looking very out of place.
Last year's hollyhock also "volunteered" everywhere except where I left room for it. It has worked it way up through the climbing roses after sprouting in a crack between the walkway and the brick planter wall.

Hummingbird Hums

While taking a picture for possible inclusion in "Blooms of the Week," I heard a high pitched chirp. Hummingbirds may make a humming sound with their wings, but their voice is a high pitched chirp.
I moved quietly to the left and caught this blurred wing creature at work.
He moved to the right. So did I most guietly.
He moved further to the right and so did I.
Then he obligingly turned so that I could see his profile. Pretty cool!