Regan got his mission call. He will be serving English speaking in the Canada Montréal Mission. Apparently, it’s the second largest mission in the world. He is to report to the MTC in Provo at the end of April
Regan’s high school graduation
We drove to Edmonton yesterday for Regan’s high school graduation. We stayed at a hotel in Nisku, near the airport. My parents and Sinéad came up as well. Actually, Regan and Sinéad drove with them.
Today, after I met with some clients of mine in nearby Beaumont, we drove to Vermillion, where the graduation was. Only one other grade 12 student, other than Regan, showed up for grad. It ended up being a pretty short ceremony, but it was nice. Mary escorted Regan during the procession, and I narrated a slideshow I had created of several photos of Regan.
My parents treated us to supper at White Spot in Edmonton afterward. We’ll be driving back home tomorrow.
Photos
Procession
Slideshow
Mary’s undergrad convocation
Mary convocated today. Six years after starting her undergrad, she finally finished. She graduated with great distinction and with a combined major in English and women and gender studies.
My parents, her mum, Naomi, and Sinéad were there. All of our other children were there, too.
It was so nice to see here walk across the stage. We switched places today.
Molasses cake with brown sugar icing
I made a “sugar-free” cake yesterday for dessert. It’s not technically sugar free, but the only sweetener is molasses. The icing is definitely not sugar free, but you could use freshly whipped cream instead of icing, which I did on the extra mini loaf I made.
Here’s the recipe:
2017 Road Trip
For Regan’s 16th birthday present this year, we promised him a road trip to Ottawa. Mary and I covered half the common costs (hotel, gas, etc).
Here’s the route we took: Continue reading “2017 Road Trip”
2016 Siever family road trip
For Sinéad’s 17th birthday present this year, we promised her a road trip to Sierra Vista, Arizona, where her boyfriend lives. Mary and I covered half the common costs (hotel, gas, etc).
Here’s the route we took: Continue reading “2016 Siever family road trip”
We purchased a new vehicle
A couple of months ago, I brought our van in for an oil change, and one of the salesperson noticed that we were coming up on the end of our financing. He asked me if I was interested in a new vehicle; they had a 2013 Chrysler Town and Country Touring edition that had just come in. I told him I’d be happy to take a look.
He took the time to show it to me, and I was quite impressed. Whoever bought it had made sure to include several extras (it was the same scenario when we had bought our 2002 Ford Windstar, too), so there was quite a bit appealing about the vehicle.
When I sat down with a financial advisor, I explained to him that we were waiting for a mortgage to clear, and we didn’t want to jeopardize that by putting several inquiries and a new entry into our credit history.
So, we put it aside and received approval this week on the mortgage. Luckily, it was still on the lot. I guess there aren’t too many people interested in minivans anymore. For an 8-person family, however, we don’t have a lot of choices. 🙂
Well, we picked it up today, and here it is.
Just in time for Sinéad and my road trip to Arizona next week.
What do you think? Anyone out there own a Town and Country before?
Siobhán can crawl up the stairs
Siobhán crawled up the stairs for the first time today. She made it up 8 or 9 steps before tiring out.
Quillan’s 4th birthday
Quillan’s 4th birthday. He invited his friends Jerram and Ryan
I made a bed frame
I spent 7.5 hours making this queen size bed frame. I used mostly reclaimed wood, except for the 1×4 spruce trim along the outside. It cost me under $20 in materials. Also, it was my first time using double rabbet joints. Let’s hope this one lasts longer than our previous metal frame did.
