Cache Valley Visit

Mike and I traveled to Cache Valley for my brother Nick's graduation and for some fabulous family time. Mike was there from May 20-26 and I stayed until May 31. Here are some of the highlights.

We attended Preston High School graduation in the PHS gymnasium:


It was pretty hot and stuffy in the gym, but the ceremony was short and sweet. We loved being there, as you can tell from our grins.

We got to celebrate my birthday at home in Fairview with my family and grandparents (and Mom's Boston cream cake):
(Yes, there really are 26 candles on that cake. And I blew them all out in one breath. Whew!)

I finished up the last slice -- right off the platter. And it was delicious.
Cache Valley is one of the most beautiful places in the world -- but the moment captured above was a rare moment of sunshine. During the 10 days that I spent in Cache Valley, there were only two days that it didn't rain -- truly unusual for that climate, but a very welcome rain for the farmers there.

Despite the rain, after Mike went back to work in Champaign, Illinois, Mom and I spent three days camping in Maple Grove up the Oneida Narrows (north of Preston, Idaho).

We had a great time camping out with Mom's friends, Joyce and Jan. We also had visits at camp from my aunt Roxane and cousin Emily and Emily's two little boys, Kaden and Dalton. The boys (ages 2 and 4) had the BEST time throwing rocks into the lake and exploring the "happy houses" (camp trailers). Dad and Nick and Garth (Jan's husband) also joined us for dinner one night. It rained, the wind blew, and it was pretty cool while we were camping, but it was still a fantastic trip. We rode bikes, read, watched movies at night in Joyce's trailer, and talked and talked and talked around the fire.

It was hard for me to leave home to come back to Champaign-Urbana. Hopefully we can visit again soon. Thanks, family, for hosting us and being so kind!