Celebrate Good Times, Come On!

Murray Park Pavilion 1 provided the backdrop for Cole's super fab Graduation BBQ last week. Cole and Wes fired up the little pits that the park provided and cooked us up some very tasty grub. We had a good mix of family and friends join us to enjoy the food, cake and the volleyball pit. Thanks to everyone who came, especially those who brought food.

Utah Man Am I

Because of my less-than-stellar blogging efforts lately, this post is a bit of old news. However, I am still very proud of Cole and had to post a few photos from his commencement last week. We opted to just attend the Business School program (lots of "name calling"-very few speakers/musical numbers). As you can see from the photos, Cole's parents flew in from Texas for a few days and we loved hogging every minute of their time here. We were also joined by my parents and Nicole, Scott and baby Jones-to-be. Thanks for all of your support. We are finally legit! Hurray!

Graduation here we come...

Even though Cole official graduated in Dec., I was able to con him into walking in the formal Spring graduation taking place next week. I just think that it is emotionally necessary to do. I mean, if you never walk, did it really happen?!?

Walking next week could mean avoiding long, sleepless nights, waking up in a cold sweat after a dream of your employer firing you for falsifying your education. OR....

It could just be a great excuse to get his family up here to visit and and have a party with all of our friends.

Hopefully, if you read this blog you are our friend and not some crazy person. To all the friends, you are officially invited to our party!

Salt Lake Marathon 5K

Yesterday, Cole and I completed our first 5K with the Salt Lake Marathon. In preparation I followed the Couch to 5K training program and Cole, true to form, simply showed up and had no problem keeping up with my slow, but steady, pace.

Contrary to the lie I told my boss earlier last week, I had never run further than 2.5 miles prior to Saturday. This 5K was a great opportunity for me to prove to myself that I can do anything I put my mind to. Our finishing time was 39:16, so we ran a 12:38 minute mile. For a girl who was laughed off the middle school track team (I learned the hard way that hurdles are a beast) and got a B in a college fitness class (for failing to run a 15 minute mile), I have to admit I am really proud of myself. We are not runners by any stretch of the imagination but we ran the entire race and are looking forward to a possible 10K later this summer.

Note: Please excuse the lack of makeup and the cherry red faces. We forgot that the "before" pictures would be much better looking. Gotta love the thrill of the finish line!

Monuments and Memorials

While we were in DC we were able to see the

• Arlington National Cemetery
• The Jefferson Memorial
• Korean War Veterans Memorial
  
• The Lincoln Memorial
• National WWII Memorial
• National Archives
  
• Vietnam Veterans Memorial and
  
• Washington Monument
  

We loved all the monuments and memorials (it gave us a bug to re-watch the National Treasure(s)) but I think our very favorite was Arlington Cemetery. There was such a peace and reverence everywhere. As we watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and listened to the soldier play TAPS, I couldn't help but feel the calm reassurance that we are all known and not lost to our Heavenly Father.