First Year of Dance

Kimmie finished her first year of dance. The studio had a little awards ceremony (which I forgot to bring my camera to). Kimmie got a certificate of completion and a trophy. She earned point by being in class and practicing at home. She was able to "buy" treats and prizes with her points. She was so excited to bring this all home.
She had a fantastic time doing dance and wants to take it again next year.

Boise

Boise ~ Part 2
Citizenship

We returned to Boise on Wednesday May 18th. Ches' citizenship ceremony was scheduled for the 19th. We really like the hotel we stayed in last month so decided to go there again. Our original plan was to hang out in the hotel, swim and watch movies. But sometime over the month the hotel changed management and the pool was under renovation,so no swimming :(
So we decided to go shopping instead. We headed to the outlet mall and had a good time at the stores. Everyone found something to buy, but favorite stop was Rockey Mountain Chocolate. We told the kids they could pick out anything they wanted. Rick and Kimmie decided to share a huge caramel and chocolate apple, I got a dark choc. peanut butter cup, Ches got some haystacks, all yummy choices. Lee and Robbie decided to get a plain chocolate bar. I was shocked! Of all the choices they pick plain, crazy boys! After shopping we went to Cracker Barrel for dinner, it was very delicious! Then we watched movies and went to bed.

The next day Ches was super nervous (no surprise) so we just hung out in the rooms till it was time to go to the Immigration office. Good thing the rooms had cable so we weren't too bored.

Kimmie and Rickie playing under the desk in the room.

We arrived at the office about an hour before the ceremony was to begin. It was a good thing we did, the place filled up fast. Participants had to sit in the front rows, so we waited a few rows behind Ches. Many people were there in everyday clothes but we wanted this to be a special day so we dressed up in our church clothes.

Silly girl!

Kimmie went to the front to get a picture of her Daddy.

Looking a bit nervous!

One of the participants was from Scotland and was a member of a bagpipe group. He and his friends played a few songs before the ceremony began. I Love this kind of music!

After taking the oath and watching a movie about being a US Citizen with a welcome message from President Obama it was time for pictures.

It was a beautiful day.

When everyone was tired of taking pictures we went out to eat to celebrate. Everyone voted to go back to Cracker Barrel.

We had already checked out of our hotel, so we needed a place to change. The Boise Temple was just up the street so I thought we could go there and change in the Visitors Center and have some fun pictures. Well, they don't have a visitors center at the Boise Temple. So we took some pictures and changed in the van. It's not a real get away without a few problems, right?

We needed to get back to IF Thursday night because the kids had a bunch of stuff going on at school on Friday. As it was we missed Lee's graduation from 8th grade (it was Thursday evening) So we headed home that evening.
It was a real special day for our family.

Andy and Mycah come to visit


The second weekend in May we had more company. Andy, Mycah and Will came to visit us before they move to Arizona next month :( Saturday morning Andy, Mycah, Ches and I went to the Bodies exhibit at the Museum of Idaho. I thought it was really cool to see all the different parts of the body. Andy really loved it too, which is a good things since he is going to medical school. As we looked at the different bodies Andy would tell me more cool facts about what we were looking at. It was like having a personal guide through the exhibit. Afterwards we went over to Hot Diggity Dog and had the best hot dogs ever! Ches loved their homemade french fries. It was so much fun hanging out with them. Afterwards we took the kids over to Tautphaus Park to play. We didn't stay long because it got stormy soon after we got there.

Kimmie had fun playing with Will

Later that day the kids had a blast playing with Will. They had him laughing real hard.

Kimmie got in the action by attacking Andy.
We loved having them for the weekend.

University of Idaho Graduation
May 3rd 2011

Today's the Day....Graduation!
We are anxiously waiting for the ceremony to begin at the Colonial Theater.

Guest Speaker Sam Shakir

Ches receiving his degree from President Nellis.

At the end of the ceremony a ton of balloons were released,
so of course the kids snatched a bunch up. Made it a fun picture.

Our Master of Adult and Organizational Learning and Leadership

So proud of him!

Ches and Troy Lassle.
Troy is our good friend and neighbor across the street.
It was really neat that they graduated together. Troy got his masters of engineering.

Ches and Roger Scott. Roger is a U of I professor and Ches took a few classes from him.

Ches and Vivek Utgikav. A friend and professor in Idaho Falls.

Ches with Alice Allen. Alice is a great friend and was Ches' academic adviser. She was such a great help and support to Ches throughout his degree.

It has been a long road with lots and lots of study hours and stress over assignments and test. But all of his hard work paid off. Ches graduated with a 4.0! He is such a smart guy. I am so proud of him and all that he accomplished.