Lucky Alexa: June 27, 7 lbs. 7 oz., 19 1/2 "

Danielle does a great job bringing Alexa into the world. She arrived one week late but healthy and beautiful. Congratulations Steve and Danielle! She's a keeper.

Touring Portland

We rode the tram from OHSU where Steve attends Dental School down to the water front. Then we rode the Max home. We also visited the beautiful Portland Temple and Lake Oswego. Fun!

Rose Garden in Portland

Dan and the boys drove into Portland on Sunday evening, Father's Day. We ate a yummy Chicken Cordon Bleu dinner that Danielle and I prepared. We had attended their church for the three hour block and Danielle did just great.

After dinner we went up the hill to the Rose Test Garden and enjoyed the beauty and aroma of the beautiful varieties of roses. It was a fun visit with a commanding view of Portland city. We each picked our favorite color of rose and admired the many hues and varieties. We enjoyed the evening noises of staying in the big city.

Portland Trip!

I flew into Portland on Thursday, June 18 to be with Danielle when she has her baby. I has spent Monday-Wednesday in Kaysville staying with my brother, Bryan and his family while I attended the Utah Marketing and Business Education Conferences. I was able to go to her Dr. visit on Thursday afternoon. She is still just dilated to 1 1/2 but she did have some contractions on Wednesday night. The Doctor said that they would start her next Friday, if she hasn't gone yet. Her due date was June 19. I was four days over with her and if fact late with each of my children.

We walked around Portland on Thursday and enjoyed living in the city. Their apt. is right next to Portland State University and most people around here just ride the bus, the Max or the trolley. I love to people watch and this is a great place to do that.

On Saturday morning we went to the Farmer's Market which is held in the park right by their house. Then we rode down town by the river to the Saturday Craft Market. We walked around and resisted buying any of the local wares except for a snow cone and some roasted cashews.

That night we went mini golfing at a cool black light Pirate place and ate dinner at Qdoba, a Cafe Rio wanna be place. We had a great time. Steve hung out with us when he wasn't studying for his upcoming finals. Later we watch Three Men and a Baby on TV. It got us excited to welcome a little one into their home soon.

Video Tribute to Darrell Gardner Flake

Class of 2009

Dawson graduated in the first ever graduating class of Desert Hill High School! He debated back and forth whether to switch to the new high school or finish up with most of his friends at Pine View. He took the road less traveled, and that has made all of the difference!

Dawson was asked to give the opening prayer at the graduation ceremony held in the new school's gymnasium. He also participated in a rap given in a talk by his good friend, Marcus Steed, who was senior class president. Dawson got to sit on the stand and stand in the congratuatory line and shake all of the hands of the graduates with the student body and senior class officers. He received this honor because he was seminary president.

At the awards night held earlier in the month he was awarded the Best Male Athlete of the year for his participation in Cross Country and Track and Field. He was the fastest long distance runner for the school this year. He was also given the award for Top Health Dept. Student of the Year, and Top Social Science Dept. Student of the Year. (He was chosen as Social Science Sterling Scholar this year) He received 3 nice medals to wear around his neck plus the Honor Society collar and the gold cords that hang for high GPA and he got an engraved silver watch for the Athlete award. (He had on more bling than some of those rappers wear!) Actually, he wouldn't wear all of the medals because he was so modest. What a humble boy!

Dawson's Seminary Graduation

Dawson graduated from Seminary on May 17, 2009, a Sunday evening. Since I've been in the Stake Young Women, I've planned these graduations and typed up the program for four years. It was fun to have Dawson graduate and be a part of it. Because he has served as Seminary Council President this year, he was asked by Pres. Davies to conduct. He wore his $15.00 DI suit that we had bought for his Sterling Scholar interview. He looked very handsome, and very much like a missionary (six months to go!) I bought him a Captain Moroni gold tie from Deseret Book for graduation which he wore. That will also work for his mission.

Many of his friends took part in the program sharing testimonies and performing musical numbers. It was a great night. Because I work with the stake youth, I really felt like I knew most of the graduates. What a great class!

Brother Seth King, who has been the Seminary Council advisor, shared some great advice with the graduates and I loved Pres. Marshall Topham's talk in accepting the graduates. He told the students that they will be asked many times in the next week or so "What are you going to be when you grow up?" He said that instead of answering with a noun, such as a nurse, a teacher, a fireman, etc., to answer with an adjective. I am going to be happy, successful, a person of integrity, a life long learner, etc. I loved this advice. Really, that is what counts most. We may be a successful Doctor or a rich lawyer, but what really makes the most difference in our lives is if we are happy! I actually shared this advice with students at Millcreek at the May student awards. Great advice! I hope that whatever we are, we are happy with who we are or are becoming.