7,000 Miles and well worth it!

The first of April we flew to California, spent the night with the Rosells and then jumped on the I-15 racetrack for the trip to Idaho.  We were bound for a long anticipated event - Graig's graduation from BYU Idaho.  The trip was smooth enough that the cruise control was nearly always engaged, even through Vegas.  We stopped in Provo, UT to have an early dinner with Jamie and David.  Our stop gave a spring storm sufficient time to build up for a dumping of snow to entertain us for the remainder of our drive through UT.  From just outside Provo to Brigham City we drove through a blizzard where the visibility was often measured in feet.  Welcome to springtime on the Wasatch Front!

Friday we went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse.  One that Graig enjoys, then rushed
to graduation where he received his diploma.  It was a proud day for Mama and Papa Ward!

April 8, 2011, big day for the Ward family.  Nicole's mom and sister and children were able to be there along with my parents and also Graig's friend Josh.  What a great evening!

Saturday morning was the commencement exercise in the new BYU-I conference center.  The new building is beautiful and the speakers were excellent.  I loved how they allowed no yelling or calling out and held the applause to the end.  I always get chills when I hear the graduation song.  Congrats Graig!!!

And it wouldn't be a memorable event if we didn't get the Granddad/Graig pose. 

 We had a fun weekend with family and friends playing games, eating, and seeing the "sights" in Rexburg.  On Monday Janelle, Jamie and I helped Nicole in her first grade classroom.  I walked the track with the children and earned 4 coins.  I then read a story to the class - I absolutely love doing that! - and we also helped at stations.  Nicole is a great teacher and you can tell her students love her. 

We left for Provo/Springville after school was out.  We spent the evening with the Harmers and had a great Cafe Rio style dinner at Bob and Karyns.  Tuesday morning we drove back to Brea and Wednesday afternoon flew back to New Jersey.  Now only 2 weeks until we are out of the NJ house.