Patch

Today our family dog died.

He was a wonderful dog. And if there are people who say dogs aren't important are wrong. It is like one of my family members has died, and it is hard to imagine my family without him.

The first time I met Patch was when I was mowing my neighbor's lawn. He was not our dog at the time. He was owned by our neighbor's tenant. A few weeks later my mom accepted Patch into our home because his previous owners didn't want him anymore. Who wouldn't want a wonderful dog like Patch?

Patch was playful and mischeivious, and just what our older dog Scooter needed to keep him on his toes and lively. When Scooter passed away Patch was heartbroken, and though we too were sad we were glad that we still had Patch to keep our house exciting.

Patch ran a few races with me, and always kept my mom company on her morning walks. He got lost with me in the woods when I decided to go snowshoeing in the woods, and he went swimming in the lake with all the rest of our family. He was a great friend and fantastic watch dog!

Today he passed away, with my mom close by. We will miss him.

Up on West Mountain

I am still awake and will be until 5:00am. Yes, I am observing in the mountains of Utah! I am becoming a real live astronomer by making a rite of passage into no-sleep land. And, even better, it looks like some of my research may be observed tonight, while I am here.

So if I talk a little slurred and make some non-nonsensical comments when I see you next, it is because I am working on my astronomy night habits!

IT"S OVER!!!

I did it! I passed my thesis defense. I felt good about the questions, I didn't blush too much, and most importantly, I AM DONE!!! But I don't have pictures of that.

However I do have pictures of Peder's graduation. I have heard he has a new haircut, but let us reminense about his old haircut and his graduation.

Congratulations PEDER!!!

Frazzled....

My defense is on Wednesday...enough said!

Thanks Jimmy, for keeping me sane! Isn't he cute?!

Youth Conference

Have you ever spent 2 nights and 3 days with a bunch of youth? Oh I have, and it was great! Not only that, but we spent this delightful little conference in Aspen Grove, a family camp owned by BYU. It was beautiful and well stocked with entertainment. The second day we went hiking, the youth on a short hike, and then some of us leader on a second longer hike. At the end of the hike there was a very large waterfall. Jimmy tested out his coat. Here are some pictures.