Kelsey recognizes the gifts she has been given and she easily expresses both gratitude and accomplishment. She decorated her hat and added the initials SSJ. S for Shaniel and Steven, and J for James (grandpa Bates). They were her inspiration, and no doubt biggest cheerleaders from the other side, in pursuing this path.
Kelsey and I made pom poms for her graduation party. They will be attached to strings among big paper ribbons across the back of the pergola for a photo shoot backdrop.
Baby Kittens
Baby kittens arrived a few weeks ago. They are all snuggled together in a wash tub on a bed of straw. They are so cute.
May 3 - Levi
May 5 - Graduation Day!
A big, big day! Kelsey received honors and was hooded at her graduation today. She is now a University of Utah Alumni. And she is now a doctor! That is a doctor of nurse practitioner in family practice. She has a job offer in place with Dr. Scott Walker in Garland, Utah. I am so proud of her.
The best part of today was watching Kelsey among the graduates, beaming from ear to ear and looking up and all around prior to the ceremony. The feeling of "awe, gratitude and accomplishment" was written all over her face. She has worked hard for this day. Tears of joy overflowed from not only her, but her family and fellow classmates, as well.
Chad, Makaela and Brayden, Dave and I, her in-laws, her dad (Greg), and Jeff Bates (her cousin) attended the ceremony. It was fun to have Jeff there as he is a professor in Engineering at the University.
April 6 - Graduation Party
Kelsey really wanted to go to the Kentucky Derby for her graduation, but it didn't work out since the race started first thing this morning. So she improvised and brought the Derby here. The party has been in the making for a year now, and it showed. The set up, decorations, and food were beautiful and delicious. She rented tables and chairs from a wedding business. Shelby took pictures that captured the day beautifully.
You might be surprised to learn why Kelsey wanted a Kentucky Derby graduation party. It's not about going to the race, but it's what it represents. Several years ago she watched the movie "Secretariat", which was about a horse that was not expected to win the Kentucky Derby. She was the underdog. But she beat all odds and came out on top as the winner. It was the training, the desire, the dedication, the perseverance that won her the prize. That sunk deep into Kelsey's heart and she never forgot the meaning of it. It wasn't about the win itself.... but the journey. And so it was with Kelsey! Bold. Determined. Faithful. A Winner! That's my daughter!
Hat fit for the Derby
Beautiful Kelsey in her Derby hat
See more on Kelsey's Kentucky Derby party here. Wow! What a celebration it was!
May 10 - Planting new trees
May 13 - Garden
Dave planted the eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, and squash today. His lines are never straight but his garden is always beautiful! He knows how to grow crops. I wonder why it's so easy to take this good man for granted? He is such a hard worker. Smarter than any many I have ever known. I really do love him.
I can see blossoms on the blackberries today.
Mother's Day Book
I found a book at Desert Book for the kids to make their mother. So they spent the afternoon with grandma making a lovely book to give her for Mother's Day. They mostly had to answer questions and fill in blanks about their mother. It was fun to listen to their responses and perspectives on motherhood. They worked on it until they got tired. I think it will have to carry over throughout the year and maybe even next year. I think someones mother is really going to like this gift!
May 14 - Mother's Day Dinner
This year Audrey made the most delicious lemon dessert. It was so refreshing and yummy. I think I might have to request this every year.
My favorite part is sitting around the campfire after dinner, visiting, and watching the kids play. The evening air is cool enough so that we can enjoy the fire for awhile.
May 16 - Smarty Pants End of School Year Program
Emilee's end of school year program was held at Weber High's auditorium. I am amazed how many seats fill up. The Smarty Pants Preschool is well attended. After the singing program, Emilee received a certificate for completing the year as a Smarty Pants. Emilee is an adorable grand daughter. She is a joy in my life. I sure do love her!
May 17 - Yard
I love my yard! The peony's are about to bloom. When they bloom, they burst open to reveal the biggest pink and yellow flowers I have ever seen. And their fragrance is yummy and delightful to the senses!
The purple iris's that Amie gave me are big, beautiful and vibrant. Their petals look and feel like soft velvet. They make me happy, and they are happy in Steve's garden. Purple iris's remind me of grandma Bentley, too.
May 23 - Ben's Kindergarten Graduation
Ben participated very well in his end of school year program. He sang and did hand actions (for the most part), and even did a speaking part. It was so fun watching him. Congratulations Beno for a job well done! I love you!
May 27 - Cowboy Poetry Festival
Cowboy Poetry is not my favorite thing to listen to, but once in a great while it's ok. It sounds like a song and dance when recited, but the story can be quite lengthy... often making it difficult to stick with.
May 28 - Visiting family, Visiting Graves
I love my family! Dave and I met Bill and Alisa, and Kelly and Kerry at the Wellington Cemetery today. We decorated mom and dad's grave for Memorial Day and had a wonderful visit with each other.
My parents grave - Jim and Ellen Bates
Our next stop was in Emery County to visit Amie and Clint and get flowers ready for Steve and Shaniel's graves. I enjoy Amie's yard. She works hard in it and has created beautiful memorial gardens for her brother Steve, and sister Shaniel.
For my son Steve. I miss you! I love you!
Purple lilacs for my daughter, Shaniel. I miss you! I love you!
We went to Heber City to visit the graves of Dave's parents, Paul and Joyce Daniels, and brother Mark Daniels on Sunday. The headstones are all flat on the ground. I can see the reasoning behind it, but I sure do love the cemeteries in Carbon and Emery County where you can customize the headstone. It also makes it easier to find. We always have a hard time finding the headstones in Heber.
May 29 - Memorial Day Breakfast
We have learned to visit graves before Memorial Day. You do not want to be on Hwy 6 inbetween Price and Spanish Fork on that day. You are stopped in the canyon for hours from all the traffic!
We can relax on Memorial Day, so we invited Audrey's family up for breakfast. We had the works! Everything you would expect camping. Pancakes, eggs, bacon, orange juice, chocolate milk. The kids had fun playing in the waterfall afterwards.
Tye Dye T-Shirts
Audrey and I decided to do some fun summer activities with the kids this year. We planned on every week. We'll see how that goes. This morning, we made tye dyed t-shirts. Oh... fun! Really. The kids put on some of dad's old shirts, some gloves, and went to dyeing. It was a very fun activity for grandma to watch! And for the kids and mommy to do!
May 30 - Wiggle Cars
Audrey and Mike bought a trampoline and some wiggle cars for the kids to play on. What a great fun way to start the summer Mecham family!
Library Day
Summer is the start of the Summer Reading Program. The North Ogden Library is undergoing construction so we had to go to the library in Roy. I was amazed when we walked in. It was large, open, and very sophisticated! So many books to look at and discover. Play areas. Specialty areas. Computers. You name it, they had it!
Library's are a lot different from when I was a child. We had to look up books from the card catalog, find it on long, narrow shelves, and check it out. The clerk stamped the library card and placed it in the pocket at the end of the book.
When my kids were little we lived in Logan. I loved that library. I thought it was innovative and modern. A lot more choices of books. Movie check-outs. Book titles and authors had just come on computers at that time so they were easier to look up and check out.
With all the changes and technology upgrades, one thing has remained constant over the decades. Books are books! They open the door to places and things we never dreamed of before. We conjure up images of distant lands. Learn about people. Get lost in a romantic settings.
Picture books open up a new world of wonder and learning for children that tantalize their young minds.
I learned rather quickly that Alia is a reader! I mean she will read a 100-300 page book in a day! She needs no external reward for reading. She just loves to read! Oh... happy heart!
Cherries
The cherries are starting to turn. Can't wait to eat some!
After coming home from church I noticed a couple of waterfalls coming out of the canyons above our house. Beautiful! Funny that I never noticed them before. Maybe it's because they are visible only for a short time.
Peonies and Petunias
By the end of the month, the peonies were in full bloom and the purple petunias I planted in Shaniel's pots were blooming, too. This is my favorite time of Spring. When the flowers all start to bloom.
Kelsey's Farm
Kelsey's kitties are so cute!
The horses look healthy and their coats are so shiny.
Dave's Cooler
Dave likes his cooler. His smile says it all! Hopefully it will be completed and running by the time peaches start coming on.
Levi
Babies never stop growing! I call Levi.... handsome. "Handsome is his name!" He is so good. He is so precious. He is a gift from heaven. Funny how your heart expands every time a new baby is born. Levi has a special place in grandma's heart!
1 comment:
Love reading your post. Such a good way to keep up with what is going on in your family.
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