We've reached another milestone in our lives. Yesterday was Janet's last sporting event in high school. Her soccer team lost to Wausau East 3-1 in the sectional playoffs. I think she started soccer and basketball in 2nd grade, so it's been ten years of following her sports. This year, especially, has been fun, but I don't think we'll miss it much. We might actually have some free time in our schedule next winter.

The game was also on her 18th birthday. We made some signs to hold up and had fun with that. Now that sports are over, she'll have time to look for a job and do some chores!

Yesterday was Janet's last day of seminary; thus, OUR last day of seminary, EVER! You all know that I am a big proponent of early morning seminary. But, for some reason, this has been a tough year. Janet has been ill more and has had other conflicts with seminary more this year than anyone in our family has ever had. And I guess that I'm just tired of getting up at 5 am. Other people say, well, why do you get up? I am not a good sleeper when I can hear other noises going on, so I figure I might as well get up. I don't think I could ever sleep through it.

I think Joseph started seminary in the 1993-94 school year. So that has been 14 years of seminary that our own kids attended. I taught most of those years, with the exception of two years when Joanna and Sarah were in seminary. But I think my first year teaching seminary in Mount Vernon was 1987-88. And I taught all that time, except for two years around the time Janet was born. I also taught one year of home study seminary when we lived in Columbus in 1979-80. But I have to say, I'd really have to think twice if I were ever asked to teach early morning seminary again.

I guess I still love the seminary program and I cherish the relationships with the kids I taught over the years, who are now all adults, but I'll leave the early mornings to you younger people.

By the way, the picture is of seminary graduation in 1997. I guess Joseph and Jenny were the only two graduating that year. (Wes Glover graduated from school early, if you remember.)

Today, I went for an interesting walk. I started near the library in downtown Wausau and walked north along what is called the "River Edge Parkway" along the Wisconsin River. It was green and enjoyable. There were historic markers along the way telling some of the history of the area. You can also go south from the same point along the river, passing the whitewater park, until you get to Fern Island. The whole thing is about three miles, I'd say. There are plans to develop it further on both sides of the river.

Other interesting walks I've been on here include a trail near the Rothschild Pavilion with a trail that goes out onto a little peninsula into Lake Wausau, a really nice new trail that goes from the Stoney Creek Inn up almost to the new pedestrian bridge across the river near Lignotech (Emily and I agree that this one is very bucolic and pastoral), and the Eau Claire River Trail in Weston, which is 1.25 miles and very well maintained.

Last summer, Janet and I also went to Stevens Point and walked through the Schmeeckle Reserve on the UW Stevens Point Campus. It was nice, too. You can see it here: http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/schmeeckle/ .

With the price of gas, I wish I could walk to the grocery store, library, etc!

So, I spent the past week with Joseph, Tracy and Afton (and Cocoa) in Virginia. I really enjoyed spending time with Afton and I hope that I was a help to them in some way. Afton is so cute! She is smiling now and I think she started to recognize my voice. I'll miss her now. Anyway, here are some pictures.

On Sunday, Joseph gave her a name and a beautiful blessing. I think she's going to grow up to be a beautiful, smart girl who tries hard to live gospel. Note that she is wearing the dress I made. It turned out well. The hat fit a little funny, but it was cute. Here's a picture of the dress without her in it. Rene kept making fun of it, saying that it was so long that she could wear it when she gets baptised. And I cut about 7 inches off the length of the pattern when I was cutting it out.