Alicia's a JD!

It was a long walk across the green to get in line for the graduation ceremony.

She had her mortar board and her hood! Ready for rain and for doin' a little brick work!

One last dance with the chorus line!


Inside, she couldn't help do a little shaka with the poly bro!

Ok here is a little clip!





That's right my little girl is a Doctor (of Juriprudence). It really is an amazing thing, and she deserves a great deal of credit for hanging in there through some very tough times. I am told by her colleagues and the faculty at the J Rueben Clark Law School that she finishes as one of the most well rounded and balanced students they have seen in a long time there. (Well they actually used words like, "she does a million things at once", and "what isn't she into?") I know she will be great at whatever she decides to do with her life now, and I am glad she is coming to the firm to do it.

The video clip shows the traditional "hooding" ceremony. The hood is a big deal since it has certain colors and depending on it's length show which cool academic department you belong to. The doctoral hood is the longest. (I have actually never seen anyone wear it with the hood on, and it is kinda small.)

Here is a bit from Wikipedia about the hood:

"The hood was originally a functional garment, worn to shield the head from the elements. In the English tradition, it has developed to an often bright and decorative garment worn only on special occasions. It is also worn by clergy and lay readers of the Anglican Communion in choir dress, over the surplice, and it is common in cathedrals, churches, and chapels for the choirmaster and/or members of the choir to wear an academic hood to which they are entitled during services, over their cassock and surplice, although only for the choir offices (Morning and Evening Prayer) and not for the Eucharist.

The colour and lining of hoods in academic dress represents the rank and faculty of the wearer.^[20] In many Commonwealth universities bachelors wear hoods edged or lined with white rabbit fur, while masters wear hoods lined with coloured silk (originally ermine or other expensive fur). Doctors' hoods are normally made of scarlet cloth and lined with coloured silk.^[21]"

She honestly couldn't wipe the smile off her face!


She had gotten the piece of paper!


Mom and I are pretty happy too.


Truly a couple of babes.


So can I retire now?


Grandma may have been the proudest of all!


So now we have the lawyer and the photographer!

It was really nice that Tuckers family made the effort to come as well. His mom and dad drove over from Madras, Oregon, and his sister and her little boy came down from Ogden.


Grandma is really the classiest, and was a champ to sit through the long ceremony.


So in a couple of weeks the next chapter will be written.


Wedding May 16. Whew!

Elder Kevin is Home!

Last week we went to Utah to pick up Kevin who just finished his mission in the Utah Ogden mission. We went to Grandma Wright's house first, and woke up on April 16th to this!


We had Kevin's Honda Passport, which Alicia had been driving for a bit at law school, and it was nuts to see what I had to clean up before we could go.


We go up to Ogden about 9:30 and had a fun time meeting some companions and the mission president and his wife.


On the far right is Elder Millett, who we had actually met before Kevin went into the MTC while shopping for suits in Provo a little more than 2 years ago. They were good friends throughout their missions.


His mission president if from England and has a fun Cockney accent. She is a kick and was great for Kevin.


He has kept us continually spell bound with his stories.


Hoa enjoyed the story about the bike wreck at Utah State, Hoa's alma mater that left Kevin's companion in a heap on the pavement.


Nate is a bit dubious about Kevin's description of a mission as being fun!


Grandma is just amazed at the heritage that she and Grandpa have fostered!


Older brother Nic can't believe how big the guy is!


Mom is just happy to have him home!


He seems to be adjusting well!


Meanwhile the weather in Oregon is a bit different that in Utah. Try 80 degrees!

(Thanks to Hailey for the close up shots of family members. She was using my camera, but practicing as she is getting an SLR in the next few days)

More Cute Kids

I am leading off this post with a picture of Bree (of Nic and Hailey twin origin) and her classic dirty face. I used to say a face only a mother could love, but really, who can't?


With a daddy who maybe also has a face that spells trouble!


Here is Michelle with Eddie in her left arm, and Sam (Moose) Vial in her right. Moose is the son of my little brother Mike and his wife Christine. So what you are looking at is cousins and ?.


Are these two cousins also or second cousins or just what do we call them. I suspect they will try and pass themselves off as brothers over the years! Just like Nic and Mike always have done.


Grandma with Eddie. Both clearly are happy souls!


A very contemplative Mia. She is definitely the queen wherever she is.


Moose was fascinated by everything going on around him. Here he is following the rotation of the fans above.


A couple of clearly smart guys who looked at the camera when instructed, even though the adult was not paying attention.


Can't you just imagine them with suits on 30 years from now intimidating the heck out of someone!


Of course Moose will need to get over the little drooling problem if he is going to impress anyone!


Bree and Ava were in the meantime out filling their shoes with sand?


While Sierra (CC) was jumping in front of the camera at every opportunity.


She of course has another of those faces!


And why is Mia still packing around this bottle at 2.5 years of age. Even mom can't answer that one!


I think it is worth noting that these children have genes in common with two people who are so busy laughing at themselves that they virtually never have time to be sad! Now that is the good life!

Backyard Visitors

It is certainly spring and we are getting a lot of visitors to the backyard feeders as well as just hanging out generally. Above is a red-breasted nuthatch identified by the black eye stripe.

A pine siskin with a black oil sunflower seed in its beak.


A spotted towhee, one of my favorites, with a worm in it's mouth. Formerly called a rufous sided towhee.

A male wild turkey, a common visitor can be pretty intimidating as he stands about 4 feet tall when he puts his head up.


The common and very friendly black-capped chickadee. Will literally eat out of your hand.


The chickadee can have some really interesting coloring, as seen in the brown on the back of this individual.


A rare visitor to the area was this Northern Goshawk seen a few days ago.


This individual is probably a juvenile. The numerous bars on its tail and wings make it a very distinct bird. A powerful hunter, it's wingspan is between 3 and 4 feet!



Here is a red-breasted sapsucker. There is a pair nesting nearby. Almost as good as a rooster in the mornings!


Among the many ducks are the beautiful wood ducks which visit on the river in the slow sheltered areas. We have also seen Hooded Merganser in the last couple of days but I didn't get the shot.


Another shot of a spotted towhee.


Here is a song sparrow. One of the most beautiful songs you will ever hear!


Also plentiful are the golden crowned and as shown here the white crowned sparrow.


Of course we see many of the American Robin's on the lawn. This one obviously just ate!


Of course there are the common house finch. One of the most beautiful of all birds to see in the spring!


Another shot of a pine siskin.


The very noisy and big Stellar Jay. Notice the skid marks on the forehead often overlooked when we are not looking close.


Fun to see them with the thistle seed in the mouth.


We have a bunch of the downy woodpeckers that are becoming very friendly.


Usually shy, they are getting to the point that they don't even fly off when we go outside.


Lots more finches, ducks, hawks, etc. are being seen every day. Unless someone tells me to stop, I will add more later.