A Wedding And A Homecoming

Could there be a more beautiful place to get married

than in the Salt Lake Temple?

I think She is the mother of all of our gorgeous temples.

Roger took some gorgeous pics.

On August 8, our nephew, Brad Stratford, married Courtney Phipps 

for time and all eternity.

Brad's proud parents, Sherie and Scott

Mr. and Mrs. Brad Keith Stratford

Roger and I drove to Ogden the night before 

and stayed with his mom.

The Green Girls - 

With my much-loved mother-in-law. . . 

. . . and her wonderful son!

Roger's sister, Susie, and her husband, Craig . . .

. . . his sister, Chyrrl, with her husband, Glynn . . .

. . . and his sister, Shellie, with her husband, Todd.

Shellie couldn't come to the wedding 

because she had an important meeting 

at the school where she teaches.

They were at the reception that night, 

where Roger snapped their pic.

Roger's siblings (minus Shellie and Gordon)

with their wonderful mom

Lois will be 88 in September.

What a lovely matriarch of the Stratford family!

The wedding luncheon was held at Eldridge Manor,

a restored historic home in Bountiful.

Scott and Sherie were the gracious hosts 

of a delicious roast beef meal.

That evening, an outdoor reception was held 

in the Poulsen's backyard in Ogden.

Scott and Sherie's son, Kelly, 

is married to the Pousen's daughter, Carley,

 and that is where they had had their reception.

They graciously offered 

to let Brad and Courtney have their reception there.

It is a gorgeous backyard.

Isn't this rose a beautiful color?

Courtney had it as one of her colors for her big day.

Lois has quilted the temple where the couple are married

into every grandchild's quilt she makes for each of them.

That's 24, not counting 

the ones she has made for the great grandchildren.

She won't let anyone help her, 

because she wants all of the stitches to be the same.

And that's also not counting the many, many, many 

crocheted and knit afghans, 

blankets and baby clothes she has made.

And that's not to mention the doilies 

and a vast amount of other handwork she has made for us all!

It truly is overwhelming

and such an act of love!

The pretty bridesmaids

The tables looked so classy and lovely!

The food was extra delicious!

It looked so tantalizing,

Rog took some pics.

He's become an expert food photographer!

Rick was on the annual Nilson campout and Jodie had been 

in Salt Lake, training on some skills to teach Blake,

but she came to the reception toward the end.

Everyone was so thrilled to see her - 

they all love Jodie!

We had some tasty meals out with Grandma 

while we were in Ogden.

She took us to lunch at Goodwood Barbecue,

and, the morning before we left for Boise,

we had a yummy breakfast at Criddle's Cafe.

One cinnamon roll could feed a small army!

We should have taken a pic.

We all ate on it, then took the rest to the Smith kids 

as a treat from their great-grandma.

There was plenty for everyone!

We drove to Missy and Jedd's in Boise, 

and, that evening, went to get pizza 

at a famous place in Boise - 

The Flying Pie. 

It was packed and kind of a long wait, but it was good!

Saturday morning, after the Smith's came home 

from a Church community service project, 

cleaning and tidying up the elementary school, 

Missy, Ellie, Roger and I went to the Saturday Farmer's Market 

in downtown Boise.

It was packed with people and there were so many interesting booths with crafts and yummy food.

We spotted a homemade root beer stand,

and, being that that is one of Missy's all-time favorite treats, 

she had to try it!

The little doughnuts dipped in maple sauce were to die for!

We decided that, for lunch, none of the market's food could compare to Westside Drive-in 

(remember, they are a Diner's, Drive-ins and Dives find),

so we walked back to our car and headed there.

It was even better than last time!

I had a salmon salad and a green river 

(a blast from my past), 

Missy had sweet potato fries 

(they are amazing there!)

and Roger's hamburger was one of the best burgers ever!

That night we all went and had sushi 

at a place where little boats with individual pieces of sushi 

float by at the sushi bar and you can pick which ones you want.

On Sunday morning we all drove 

to Tom and Joan's ward meeting house 

to hear Taylor report 

on his mission to the Dominican Republic.

He had many enlightening experiences 

and is a mature and sharp young man.

Joan and Tom are so proud of him and are so glad 

that they went there to pick him up and meet 

some of the people who love him.

Just don't get Joan talking about his experiences 

in the jungle with the rats!

After that meeting, we found out that John was speaking 

in his last ward conference as Stake President 

and it was in his home ward in Caldwell.

We just had time to get there 

(he and Cindy had already hurried out),

and we were so glad we heard him!

I got the feeling that he was not giving a formal talk, 

as he leaned forward and spoke,

but was looking into the hearts of the people 

and saying things that they needed to hear.

He got choked up several times, as he was feeling the Spirit, 

and Roger nudged me and said, "Who does he remind you of?"

Our son, Rick, and John have many of the same mannerisms, 

and neither can get through explaining principles of the Gospel that are close to their hearts without choking up.

It's not that they don't have experience speaking - 

John is near his tenth year as Stake President,

and Rick is Bishop of his ward.

I am so proud to have John for a brother and love him very much!

We went back to Boise and to Joan's for a yummy buffet 

and had such a special time visiting with all of Joan's great kids, 

spouses and grandkids.  

Ami, John and Cindy's daughter, 

with her two cute kids were there, 

as well as my cousins, 

(my Uncle Overn's daughters) 

Martha, her husband, Chuck, and Linda.  

It was fun catching up with all of them, 

as we rarely get to see them.

Roger took a pic of me with my siblings 

(minus Patty, who is on a mission 

with her husband in Berlin, Germany)

And Missy took a pic of us with our spouses.

Roger, Ken, Kay and I had already changed clothes 

for our long drive back to Utah.

We look a little more formal here . . 

. . . than here!

(Check out the feet!)

We got to Ogden before 10 PM, 

then stayed up and visited with Lois.

She loves to have us stay and we had some special moments 

with her throughout this latest adventure.

It was all great - 

nothing is more important or more gratifying 

than being with family!

Now I've got to start over one more time 

with the steamed veggies and salads 

for that darned 50th High School Reunion!

Why does good food have to be so delicious!