25 years!

I arrived in Boston, sight unseen, on May 19, 1988.  I posted about My Big Adventure five years ago.

I left LA and never really looked back (though I've been back a few times--last year after a 20 year hiatus).  I love living in New England.  I've had great jobs, fantastic friends, a full and busy life, and I can honestly say moving here was one of the best decisions of my life.

Instead of writing about all the wonderful things I've done in these 25 years, I'm going to list 25 things that I have yet to do/or visit in New England (some of these are embarrassing...how have I not climbed to the top of the Bunker Hill Monument?).  Here's the list:

I'll start with: walk to the top of the Bunker Hill Monument
Eat at the Top of the Hub
John Adams house
Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
Canoeing on the Concord River
Sturbridge Village
Maparium
Harvard football game
Glass flowers at the Harvard Museum
Buy a glass pumpkin from the MIT Glass Lab
Cranberry bog
Harbor Islands
Drive to the top of Mt. Washington
Paul Revere House
Tour of Fenway Park
Lilac Sunday at the Arnold Arboretum
Cheers
Duck Tour
Boston Tea Party Museum
Cliff Walk in Newport
Pawtucket Red Sox game
Boston Globe tour
New England Patriots game
Ride all subway lines end-to-end
Peaks Island, Maine mailboat run

I love Boston!!!

High School graduation day!

I finally met the awesome Bernise (Adrie's friend)!

The answer is NO -- I didn't drive this time

Brain Tumor Ride

This Sunday is the ride for the National Brain Tumor Society.  I've been involved with the Ride since 1998 as a volunteer, committee member, cheering bystander (when I couldn't ride) and rider.  It's been a fantastic experience and I'm guessing that our team, PATTON'S ARMY, has raised close to $75,000 over those years.

My niece Adrienne is graduating from high school this weekend and I'm traveling to be there to celebrate with her so we are missing the Ride this year.  PATTON'S ARMY will still have a presence; my friend Brian Sweeney is going to be the sole rider in Boston this year.  He and three firefighter friends actually did the 50 mile ride that very first year (and I volunteered -- and as soon as the riders left I realized that I wanted to ride, so I have almost every year since then) so we will be well represented.  We always have a prayer before we start and Brian said this year he'll have the prayer for Robes by himself.

Adrienne did the ride the first time when she was almost 10.  Her story is inspiring.  She actually talked about us flying back after her graduation to do the Ride the next day but I told her we were going to celebrate her graduation this year instead (FYI -- she's heading to BYU-Hawaii in the Fall!).  I'll never forget her first ride:

That was a BIG day for a little girl.  To quote Brian, "Adrienne miraculously finished the 25 miles.  She gained not only unseen pride from her dad, but she also tapped into an inner strength that is now hers forever."  And to quote Tadd, "Your determination to finish on your own, reminded me of the great marathoners of the world collapsing as they finished their own races.  The difference between you and them, is not only your age, but in your reasons for riding and your vision for doing so.  I imagine really great things will come from you."

Click here if you are interested in making a donation to PATTON'S ARMY (donations can be made until July).  THANK YOU!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

He's still in the oven

I visited my friend Emily after work today.  She was in good spirits and is patiently waiting for her little boy to get bigger and older.

Rare in New England

Ian the Deacon

Ian turned 12 this week and today was ordained a deacon by his uncle Brandon.  I was able to be there to hear Brandon's beautiful prayer and also take some photos (guys don't think of that).  Ian is a great young man and will be a fantastic addition to our young men's program.  By the way, I think this kid is going to be about 7 feet tall!

Treats for the women

All the women in my ward received a Lakota Bakery cookie with this nice Elaine Dalton quote as a little gift.

Arlington Ward moms

Nan with her brood

There are very few photos of the four of us with Nan which makes me love this photo that I found recently.  It was taken on a vacation--possibly in the California Redwoods.  We are blessed to have a smart, loving mom who enjoyed taking her kids to see and do everything imaginable (Robes used to say "we did everything there was to do in LA twice") -- beaches, museums, sporting events, parades, amusement parks, restaurants, cultural activities, and more!  Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Homemade card

Paper calendars

I love writing what I do and who I call each day in my calendar.  I've used a paper calendar for years and always will.  The other night I was sorting things in my crawl space and found some of my old calendars.  I need to find all of them and put them together in a box.