With All Our Love

We received a letter from the Dean's office, College of Engineering and Technology, inviting you to a math refresher course to "assist you on your return to BYU." I assume, even though it is free, you're not registering for this event?

Dear Tanner,

What a week! One for the record books! the Bachs arrived in town, Hunter graduated from high school, we placed 850 flags on graves of veterans, Porter held his Eagle Court of Honor...those are some of the activities. Lots of red, white and blue with a sprinkling of green ;-) Let's start with Friday. The German friends arrived at lunch time, and we scooped the brothers skipping school (Porter and Cooper) to drive straight to Hillbilly Hotdogs. We figured one more time there would be fun! Hunter met us there after a mow job.

We also picked up Porter's scout awards, and our new double paned window newly repaired for $100 after Miller put a baseball through your bedroom winter. After a quick trip to a summer league basketball game by Sawyer, where he scored 9 out of the 19 points, we ran to graduation. It wasn't as good as yours, as the speaker wasn't you or your brother ;-) But, Hunter graduated second in his class, and represented the family well. They also handed out the sum cum laude awards. Your sister wanted to wear her party dress, and promptly fell asleep, after deciding Hunter was too far away to see (we were on the upper deck - nosebleed section!).

Saturday, due to the Bachs generosity and forethought to pack 850 flags in their car trunk, we got to put a lot of flags out on the graves of veteran soldiers. The boys had a great time finding the stones, and we actually ran out of flags before we finished! We handed out a lot of flags to other scouts there, and even went to Bro. Overby's family cemetery to do his as well. That's a fun tradition I'd like to continue to do on future Memorial Days. We also visited the Museum of Radio and Technology, a Huntington treasure ;-) It has SO much stuff! you could get lost there for days - look forward to those pictures in your email!

We visited Fat Patty's for a really late lunch, always a culinary delight. At 6:30 p.m. we had a few folks over to celebrate Hunter's graduation - Sis. Parrish, the Mazons, and Larry and Sandy. It was a delightful group, love for us and them was very palpable. Everyone has been very generous to Hunter because of his graduation. He is very loved as well. I couldn't be prouder of you two boys.

Sunday morning we took two very loaded cars to church - patriotic flowers, balloons, programs, flags, decorations, table cloths, paper products, cake, cupcakes, potato salad, Boston baked beans, chips, veggies, BBQ pork, macaroni and cheese, homemade rolls, watermelon, lemonade with strawberries...miss me? It was very good. Took us about 20 minutes to get the tables and chairs set up in both rooms, decorate, and get the food ready - record time because of all those willing to help. Hopefully it was well worth their efforts. There were close to forty that stayed after church to support Porter. He desperately wanted to wait until you were home, but you're not here long enough for us to wait. Dad did a nice job talking about scouting, its history with the Church, and its importance as the activity arm of the Priesthood.

Monday morning we went to Gallipolis for their Memorial Day parade, our stopping was actually spontaneous ;-). It was short and sweet, and perfect. 

There was also a vain attempt at a famous local hot dog eatery. With their burlesque theme, dancer named hot dogs, vintage strip tease posters, and "weenies that wiggle," we couldn't run fast enough out the door!).

We moved onto our 100 minute train ride in Nelsonville, OH. The trains were great, the vistas beautiful, the history very interesting, and the company the best!

We finished with buffalo burgers, and a visit to mothman and the museum. The day couldn't be beat! Filled with enough Ohio oddities to scare any sane person from returning to visit! We topped off our most excellent Brown Sign day by celebrating an early birthday cake for Cooper.

 

The Bachs left early this morning, and are just about home while I'm typing your letter. We're off the holiday schedule, and are back to orthodontic appointments, lawn mowing, wash, trash, dishes...the stuff of which make summer vacations.

We're getting a little trunky over here. Today Breyer spoke with your grandparents, and then wanted to call you. And she didn't want to take no for an answer! Miller wanted to know if you'd be back in time to see him play baseball. Cooper doesn't want me to put away his Legos because he has play dates planned with you. Feel the love! We love you! We're ready!

Love,

Mom and Dad