Graduation Season, parts 1 and 2

(Biola Bell Tower)

Part, the First

The day started for us with a mad dash to California. The high school kids were supposed to be at school taking their finals, but we scrambled around and got them excused for the day (no small feat) so we could make it to graduation on time. Well, we just barely made it! We changed into nicer clothes in the car, then high tailed it over to the auditorium just in time to be seated. I'm not kidding you when I tell you we sat in the back row. And let me just add that taking pictures indoors with a zoom does not lead to the most quality photos. Or at least that's my excuse....

Here are some shots inside Sutherland Hall, where the Torrey Honors Institute graduation took place.

Part of the ceremony included what we affectionately called "The Bible Bonking."


Signing the book of membership


Geoff and Drew, just a couple of Torrey grads


Geoff, Johnny, Greg, and Drew

Part, the Second

The next day was the graduation ceremony for the general population of Biola.

Biola has a tradition of honoring graduates on the 50th anniversary of graduation. Guess which old geezer graduated from Biola in 1959? Yuppers, good old Gramps. Not only was he honored at the ceremony, but the university also reserved fantastic seats for the entire family!



Here are the two grads--old and new.


We didn't know who all of Dad's graduating class would show up, but it turned out to be a special day because we got to share it with Dad's long time friend, Buck Buchanan. Get this--they went to school together from 6th grade all the way through college and theological seminary.


Finally the big kid gets his moment with the president!


And, of course, after it is all over, little brothers have to try on the gear and dream of their own day in the sun.



Here is a video Dad put together chronicling the special day:

Angie, My Craft Hope Baby

You may have noticed the Crafthope button I have on my sidebar. (If you're reading in google reader, you'll just have to click over and take a look!) I'm really excited about this organization and the opportunities they are providing for crafters to create for a cause.

I missed out on their first project, which was providing handmade dresses and shorts for kids in an orphanage, but I was able to participate in their doll drive which just wrapped up earlier in June. These dolls will be heading off to Nicaragua today, so you might just want to say a little prayer for their safe journey as well as for Eren, their human escort.

You can read all about the project here.

This is the doll I made for the project. I tried to find her in the mass of dolls on Eren's blog, but I just can't see her! I dunno, maybe one of the boys is sitting on her.

Here she is pre-hair. Don't you just love her sweet little ears?

Naked baby alert! I can't remember why I took the picture before I stuffed all the limbs, but there you have it--a bald baby with one gimpy leg.

Look, she just aged about 2 years! Her hair was quite a learning experience. I had serious doubts about the first yarn I chose, but it was so soft and curly. I sewed up a wig, then attached the wig to her head. About that time, my reservations were confirmed, as the yarn was literally falling apart in my hands as I finger combed her hair. I figured that would never do, as she is probably going to have to withstand rougher play than that! So I unattached all the hair and seriously contemplated leaving her bald, because....well, scroll up...those little ears are so darn cute!


In the end, I chose a really basic utility yarn that I already had in my craft cupboard from some Native American weaving project Brian had to do for school last year. I made another wig, but this time I cut it too short, so I had to make two more to completely cover her head. Let's just say Angie has a very full head of hair!

Here she is in her top and unders.

And with a little skirt.


I have to say, she is a huggable little thing!

The next Crafthope project is baby booties, caps, and blankies for three children's homes in India. Won't you consider participating?

Swimming in the Rio

Okay, we're actually swimming in the pool. But it's the Rio Salado meet. (That's Salt River, and yes there is such a river nearby, and no it is not salty, and no we will not swim in it, although you can tube down it, but it helps to be a college student and requires a certain quantity of beer to entice you into that cold water.)

Back to the meet....

And by the way, we're still playing catch up. Because even though we are, in fact, at this very moment, at a swim meet, I wouldn't want you to confuse the Rio Salado meet in Arizona from last April with the meet we are swimming today in San Diego. I'm not really sure why I you need to differentiate between the two, because, quite frankly, they are all pretty much the same.

There's swimming...


And of course, swimming...


Followed by a little bit of swimming...

With a little extra swimming thrown into the mix.

Yes, swimming in the dark. Not recommended, but I do have to admit it is cooler once the sun goes down, even in Arizona. I actually got in trouble after this shot for using a flash because it interferes with the starting mechanism.

One other note (okay, two): the kid in the dark is not Brian, but his friend Cameron. You can tell it's not Brian because Cameron knows where his swim cap is while Brian has absolutely no clue as to the location of his. Also, take note of the location of Brian's goggles in all of the above pictures. Out of the water, on his eyeballs, where they belong. In the water, around his neck, where they are useless, although they do make a rather fetching necklace.

Don't You Wish Your Coffee was Hot Like Mine?

You've seen the tea wallets.

And you know how I feel about tea.

That's why I'm pleased to present one of my latest discoveries: the coffee cozy!

You can find a tutorial by Erin Harris of House on Hill Road here.

And here's another tutorial by pink milk and fairycakes.

Geoffo's Birthday Bash

Fast forward to May 9. Okay, I mean, we're going back in time again. If you're starting from yesterday's post, we're fast forwarding. If you're starting from today, we're skipping back through the pages of time. Oy, this time-space continuum thing is bending my poor brain!

The big bub turned 22, and thus officially ends birthday season.

The next birthday doesn't come until July 9, which is a whole 2 months away, or 2 weeks depending on how you view that whole space time thingamajig.

Every 22-year-old's dream--cashola!

Birthday Bubs

Every once in a while this happens. Birthday season burns me out. I want you to know that this birthday party happened in a timely fashion. I just haven't posted about it until now. In fact, there's a lot of stuff happening around here that I haven't posted about. Been a tad bit busy and a lot bit unmotivated. I think I've been slightly in denial about this whole move. Well, no denying it now--the sign went up today!

So, I thought about it long and hard (okay, about 1 minute) and I have decided to spend the next few days catching you up (and by "you" I primarily mean the grandmas and anybody else who wanders in) but I'm not going to go into a lot of detail.

Let us wander back in time to March 25, the day the boy turned 12. . . .

His big bro was in DC at the time and so was enjoying the party telephonically. (Did I just make up a new word?)

Twelve-year-olds can be extremely intense when it comes to birthday wishes!

I think the intensity paid off--here he is opening his dream come true--his very own ipod.

The Anatomy of a Taco Salad

Number 1 ingredient: Tortilla chips. Mission brand is the best. Store brand just like Mission brand is second best. Tostitos are okay, but a little on the flimsy side. Under no circumstance should you use Fritos. That is a different dish altogether. (We call it Frito Pie, and while it is scrum-dilly-icious, it is not taco salad.)


Number 2 ingredient: lettuce. I like bagged salad mix because I am about as lazy as they come.


Number 3 ingredient: the meat and bean mix. Ground beef and Lawry's taco seasoning. Pretty dang easy. Stir in a can of drained pinto beans, but be forewarned that Tait will pick out all the beans.


The toppings: a nice handful of shredded cheese, a healthy dollop of sour cream, and a generous drizzle of hot sauce. Pico Pica is the best, but Tapatio will work in a pinch.


Mix it all together and enjoy.

Taco salad at our house means one of two things. Grandma and Grandpa are here, or Geoff is home. This time it's Geoffo. The big guy has returned from Politician Land, and at least one little brother was happy to have his big brother back safe and sound!

And just for fun, we ended the evening with Strawberry Shortcake. Served properly upon a shortcake biscuit of course, just as strawberry shortcake is intended to be served.