Scott is a fantastic driver. I tend to do alright in the city, but some of you might remember that things can get a bit dicey when I hit the open road. I won’t mention the cross country moving incident in which I ran our rather large moving truck, with Scott’s car trailered to the back, into the median of a major divided highway. Consequently, we usually fall into our typical roles. Scott rides behind the wheel, while I navigate, sleep, read, take pictures, monitor the radio, and cruise along. Since I manage more roles than Scott, I tend to think I have the more difficult job, don’t you?
It’s not easy to find a comfortable sleeping spot while crammed in a car, but somehow I manage to do so.
It’s not easy to read for about four hours straight without wanting to puke, but somehow I manage to do so.
It’s not easy to find appropriate books on tape for Scott to listen to while driving, but somehow I manage to do so. And then promptly leave the book on CD at home.
It’s not easy to find companionable music on my I-Pod, but somehow I manage to do so. Only, it’s really not my fault that I can’t get the I-Pod to play through the stereo.
It’s not easy to follow Google map directions, but somehow I manage to do so. Wait, I know what some of you might say! Some of you might argue that when we came to the divide between I-90 and I-94 I didn’t know which road to take. Some of you might also remember that there was a great debate over whether to stay on I-94 or get off on Lake Shore Drive upon entering Chicago. Others of you might recall that we sat in rush hour traffic inching our way towards Stevendee’s house for about an hour and a half. Still others of you, might wonder why we circled all the way around Indianapolis, instead of take the shorter route to the east. None of this has anything to do with my inability to navigate. This just shows you what a difficult job navigating can really be.
It’s not easy to take award-winning photography from the front seat of a speeding car, but somehow I manage to do so. Here’s the evidence:
See? Isn’t it just fantastic? It’s really a skill you have to develop when your husband is unwilling to pull over for fantastic photographic opportunities.
All in all, I can’t think of a better traveling companion than I would be! Anyone need a navigator on their next cross-country expedition? I’m available!
Both dishes were incredibly good. The judges tried them both carefully and went back for seconds. I think this was their favorite part of the whole competition. 
After some careful thought, they determined that Scott created fluffier eggs and had the best potatoes they’d ever had to go with the eggs. However, in terms of having the best scrambled eggs, Steve declared that I was the winner! Yeah! This next week the whole Rowley clan is headed down to Rocky Point for some fun in the sun. We’ve decided to host a whole series of Throw Downs on the beach. We’ve already scheduled the match ups. I can’t wait! It should be fun! 
After swimming, we all got ready for Steve’s graduation and headed over the school. Apparently, Steve’s tuition has been put to good use, as Kellogg had a fabulous buffet for family and friends of the graduates. We had lots of good food before settling in for the longest name ready I’ve ever attended. Kellogg had about 600 graduates and they called each one of them very slowly. Despite our waning interest, we all perked up and cheered really loudly as Steve made his way across the stage and received his diploma.
We were all very proud of Steve and happy for his accomplishments.
Well, I don’t think that Mailey was really so happy. She can’t be faulted though; I think she slept through the entire ceremony. I’m sure someday, when she grows old enough, she’ll be proud of her dad though!
Lake, on the other had, was all smiles for his dad.
Up until he found this purple flower, though. He thought that was way more interesting than any piece of paper his dad could have received. Sarah was super excited too—only she like Mailey was catching up on some sleep.
At the end of the long day though, everyone crashed on Steve and Kendee’s bed for the night. Just kidding! It turned into more of a “My Bed is Better than Yours” competition (as things often tend to when the Rowley boys are involved). There was no consensus, though, on who’s bed was the best (much to Steve’s disappointment). After a good period of rolling around, bouncing, and jumping on the bed, everyone determined that their bed was the best. As it should be, I guess.
Since Scott served his mission in Korea, he likes to speak with the waiters in Korean, order all of the food, and explain to us how everything should be eaten properly. He’s really good at managing the grill. 
I’m pretty sure that Korean food isn’t Robin’s favorite, but she’s a good sport and tried a little bit of everything. Paul, on the other hand, loves when we eat Asian food. He’s always trying to get Scott to make kim-bop (sushi roll-things) for him whenever we’re at their house. 
I got one of the coveted spots, and got to sit next to Lake throughout dinner. I’d pass him small foods that he deemed edible (ie. broccoli, noodles, and rice). He was unwilling to try the fried egg or potato bits. He really liked the rice though. He ate one whole helping and then begged me for more. I relented, spooned him some more and then watched as he gobbled it down quickly. I asked if he’d like some more, to which he replied, rather haughtingly I might add, “No! Grandma will do it!” Apparently, Grandma is better at dishing out rice than I am. Properly put in my place, I went back to eating my own food. 
Sarah came straight to Chicago from Israel, where she’s spent the last seven weeks studying in the Holy Land. She was extremely tired all weekend and had trouble staying awake long enough to enjoy the Korean food. That’s alright though, between the jet lag and the constant entertainment of Israel I can only imagine how exhausted she must have been. I can’t ever remember being more exhausted than after I finished three weeks of being an EFY counselor, and that was only three weeks, not seven! Candace was unable to come for the trip, because she had to fly to Utah for her grandmother’s funeral. We were sad not to have her there for the good times! All in all, our weekend started out great with good food and good company!