The Ogden Temple, From Old to New; Roger, Not 70 Years Old, but Young

Roger and I tended four of Rick and Jodie's kids 

the final four days while they were on their trip to Spain with Josh.

We rose at 6:30 for scripture study, breakfast 

and making lunches, then each kid left 
in different carpools or school bus.

Blake is in the first grade and is recovering 

from hip surgery, but he gets in his stroller at school 

and seems to be getting along just fine.

He walks around, holding on to things now,

but I don't think it will be long 

until he is walking and running again.

We took advantage of being Up North to attend the

Ogden LDS Temple Open House.

They literally renovated from the foundation up 

to build a gorgeous temple, inside and out.

Below is the Before and After.

The interiors were lovely, with beautiful stained glass everywhere.

Grandma Stratford watched Blake; Mindy, Jeff and kids met us 

at her home, and we drove to the temple.

Many people were there, 

but they accommodated the crowds very efficiently.

Mindy and Jeff wanted Jack, Addie and Charlie 

to see inside a temple so they could talk about it.

On Wednesday, our last day at Rick and Jodie's, August 27, 

Roger turned 70!

Of course, we had to celebrate the changing decade 

of this amazing guy's life!

Stacy was in Provo, having driven with Sydney 

to help her move in at BYU. 

I invited them, Mindy, Jeff and kids, and, 

Rick, Jodie and Josh got home that evening, 

 for a celebration dinner.

Roger wanted Sloppy Joes

(he said he really likes them 

and kind of missed my making them, 

like I did when all of the kids were home).

70 years young!

His mom told me weeks ago that she was going to make him 

a German chocolate cake. Just like old times!

The Stratford kids we tended (Sadie was at a tennis match),

before Roger picked up the rest of their family at the airport 

and the rest of the company came

It has been a fun and wild ride with this good man!

We had Sloppy Joes, shrimp and macaroni salad, 

cut up watermelon and cantaloupe and 

Grandma's yummy cake and ice cream.

We lit the candles, Stacy took the pic . . .

. . . then I took one with Stacy in it.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,  . . ."

Grandpa blew all of the candles out in one try!

He said he wished that 
all of his kids and grandkids could have been there, 

but that there is nowhere he would rather be 

on his birthday than with his family.

The two new BYU cousin coeds had their heads together,

planning their upcoming exciting year on campus.

Roger and I drove back to St. George the next day, 
arriving a day before Mindy, Jeff and kids came 
to spend the Labor Day Weekend with us.  
Such it is with Life in the Fast Lane.  
I guess that is what keeps you young when you turn 70!