This weekend, our family went to Davis to celebrate Erin's graduation. It was Patrick's weekend, so all but Kelly drove up with him. Kelly traveled with me. Just before we left, my dryer went kaput. It started making a horrible noise and we had to unload all the wet laundry and string it up around the house while we were gone. We said goodbye to our little Mu kitty and Abby and hit the road later than we expected.
I love traveling solo with Kelly on longer drives because we have interesting conversations. This time around, we discussed some weighty things like living together before marriage, how fear keeps some scientists from revealing their faith in God, how inconceivable it is to us that there are people who have NO belief in a higher power because to us the world testifies of a creator. We also discussed golden oldies, voice lessons, driver's education and our various pets. I took the opportunity to teach Kelly how to pump gas.
In Davis, we took Nick and Erin out for dinner on Friday night. Patrick dropped the kids off at Erin's and we settled in for the night. Saturday morning, there was a mad rush of 7 people showering, eating honey nut cheerios and chatting and eating and playing, together with three dogs playing and begging for attention. Then Erin's dad and his wife, and Erin's mom and her friend John, (Erin's mother-in-law and sister- in-law met them at the event), dropped by. Many, many photos were taken, tickets were passed out (there's a limited supply!) and everyone left except for the kids and I. (Since Erin had a limited number of tickets, and since attending the actual graduation would have required standing for an hour in the sun in 100+ degree weather followed by three hours in the arena, we opted to just be there to celebrate afterward.) Kelly and I arranged for Erin's gifts and Patrick's father's day gifts and we watched over FOUR dogs (Patrick brought Indy up). Patrick and Johnny were learning to play go on Erin's bed. Joe commented to me, "I just love how Erin & Nick moved into a junky college apartment and made it look all beautiful and mormony and stuff." (That made me laugh, but it's true!) When everyone returned, we took MORE photos and went to a restaurant in Davis called "Little Prague," Patrick's treat. I had lamb (yum).
We then went back to Erin's apartment and the kids went swimming with Nick while the rest of us served up ice cream sundaes. Erin, Kelly and I watched "Martian Child" and Nick and Joe started watching one of the Lord of the Rings movies. Joe ended up getting really sleepy because he had taken Benadryl for a rash he got on his tummy, so he came and fell asleep leaning on me. (It's been a long time since that happened!) We got everyone settled for the night.
The next morning was Sunday and we were even more crazy as we tried to get all of us ready in just a little over an hour since we had all slept a bit later than expected. I made french toast and encouraged the children to dress while Erin and Nick got ready. We went to church at 9:00 and spent the entire block there enjoying the spirit and being edified. While there, I was listening to Erin share her testimony and thoughts during various classes and I realized that she has become such a strength to me and her siblings in regards to her testimony! When we returned home, we cleaned up the apartment and packed everything up. Patrick and Laurie arrived, and Erin and I made lunch for everyone in honor of Father's Day. (Pasta with meat sauce) We ate MORE ice cream. Then Patrick, Laurie and the three youngest children left. I took a bit of a nap and departed with Kelly an hour or so later.
On the way home, more interesting conversations took place. A malfunction light came on on my dashboard about 60 miles from Fresno. Fortunately we were able to make it home safely and tomorrow I will arrange to have it looked at.
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