All The Roger Stratford Family Together Again!

On the day after Christmas, 

the girls went shopping.

The Scottsdale/Phoenix/Mesa area

has amazing shopping!

Rick and Jodie flew from Salt Lake on the 27th.

Mindy and Jeff, from Highland, Utah,

couldn't come until the 28th,

because Jeff's sister, Susie, 

got married on the 27th.

Missy and Jedd, from Boise, Idaho,

drove to Alpine on the 27th,

and stayed with Mindy and Jeff,

then both families caravanned to Mesa on the 28th. 

On the 27th, Ryan had arranged for all of the guys 

who were there to golf at the Wigwam Golf Club.

It must be noted 

that Roger was the winning senior golfer 

(yes, he's a senior, but I mean 

he beat his sons and son-in-law - a first!) - 

Grandson Josh beat all of them!

Roger and sons

That night was my night's turn to cook - 

we had grilled salmon, salted baked potato, 

my version of a salad I had at La Grande Orange that

I had for lunch when we shopped the day after Christmas.  

It had beets, dates, Gruyere cheese and nuts 

with the greens in a yummy honey orange vinaigrette.

I had brought home a little container with a little bit 

of the left-over dressing, 

and I kept tasting it to try to copy it.

I also made Rachel Ray's barbecued corn succotash.

Our cute teen grandkids 

Blakey patiently waiting for food

Cousins hangin' out

By Sunday, everyone had arrived.

After church, we had a big dinner at Stacy's.

Blakey is a little whiz on the iPad.

Anders and Sam checking out Max's Polar Express

Stacy made her famous rolls.

I have to say here that she is a little marvel.

Even though she is Primary President 

and does many "extras" for that big Sunday calling,

she was cooking up a storm all morning before church.

We helped her make Rick's favorite Mandarin orange salad and another orange jello, her mother-in-law Sherry's orange baked ham, candied yams, green beans, roasted rosemary (from their garden) red potatoes, honey butter, and a yummy green salad.

But those rolls, she did all on her own.

And two kinds of homemade ice cream - 

strawberry and Oreo, 

with homemade hot fudge sauce - after church.

Remember, we're talkin' 36 people to feed!

She is amazing!

The rolls were Charlie-approved!

Eating outside on the patio at Christmastime?

Really?

This cute little thing, Miss Laura Claire,

was in high demand throughout the week!

Roger and I were grinning from ear to ear

that we were all together again!

Making the ice cream

Fresh strawberry ice cream - 

now I've got to wait for it to freeze!

Dinner cleaned up,

it's time for presents!

Each cousin had another cousin's name to buy a gift for.

The adults also had each other's names.

They do that every other year. 

On the other year, they pool their money 

and donate it to a needy family.

One at a time, each cousin would open the gift 

from the cousin who had his name, 

then he would give his gift to the cousin whose name he had. 

 It took awhile, but everyone watched and oo-ed and aw-ed.

Then it was Mr. and Mrs. Santa's turn.

Beginning with the oldest grandchild this year,

Each took a turn sitting on Santa's lap 

and receiving his $10s peeled off the stack,

as the grandkids counted.

Then each one got a little chocolate treat 

and a hug from Mrs. Claus.

The ice cream is ready!

Cousins . . .

. . . nieces and aunts . . .  

. . . everybody loved being together 

and sharing the Holiday Spirit!

And, believe it or not,

there is still lots more!

I am determined 

to get our entire adventure together posted . . .

. . . so stay tuned!