A Hagen Farewell and a BYU Homecoming

Dr. Jerry Hagen was a good friend of Roger's brother, Gordon, 

back in their school days in Ogden.

Then Roger's sister, Susan, who now lives in Ogden, 

lived in St. George during her husband, Craig's, early career, 

writing for the Spectrum newspaper.

They formed a strong friendship with Jerry and Delores.

Fast forward several years, and we moved to St. George.

Jerry was our physician, and he recently retired.

He and Delores have been called to serve a medical mission in Houston, Texas, for two years.  

They will oversee all of Texas and part of Oklahoma, 

referencing and screening medical issues with the missionaries.

Jerry is (was) also a good friend to Lois and Keith, and was 

Keith's medical advice-giver for years.

So, Lois, Susie and Craig came for Hagen's missionary farewell, 

and stayed with us for a couple of days.

We went to an Open House at Hagen's on Saturday, 

then the five of us went to, Meet the Mormons, at the Cineplex.

We found it to be a very straight-forward documentary,

letting us peek into the lives of diverse families around the world. 

Purposely designed to be non-preachy and without dissecting beliefs and doctrine, 

its message was to dispel myths and stereo-types.  

It showed the joy that has come into six families who have embraced those beliefs, 

and now live their lives in service to Him and therefore, mankind.

There were moments of smiles and laughs and moments of tears.

We attended the Hagen's ward Sacrament meeting 

on Sunday morning,

and were uplifted by their messages.

The following Friday morning, we drove to Provo 

to see Sydney perform 

with the Young Ambassadors in the Homecoming Spectacular. 

When we arrived, we met Josh in his dorm 

and gave him his birthday present.

We met up with Tom, Stacy and kids; Grit and Sherry, Tom's parents; Emily and daughter, Anna; and Mindy (Jeff met us later at the Spectacular) at Los Hermanos, our kids' college mecca for bean burritos.

The show was "spectacular," using James C. Christensen's art as a theme. 

He and  H. P. Debenham, (Christensen's Everyman) were the MCs.

Syd, as one of ten girls in Young Ambassadors, shone and sparkled.

Everyman and James C. even flew!

We met up with Syd after the show.

My sister, Joan, and son, Taylor, found and joined us.

Joan is on the BYU Alumni Board of Directors, 

and was there for meetings and Homecoming fun.

Proud mom, Stacy

It was cool to catch up with my baby sister.

She is doing great things for BYU in Boise and I am proud of her!

Rick and Jodie's oldest with our baby, Aunt Mindy

Cute Sydney with Grandpa Roger and Grandma Pam

We headed for ice cream at a 50's burger joint after.

The twins had a second supper of burger and fries.

They are growing boys!

Next day, we met at a park so the cousins could play together.

Charlie got swung to his heart's content, with cousins taking turns, some played catch and they all had fun together.

Stacy, Tom and their family and Emily and Anna hiked up to the Y earlier.

Before the football game, 

we visited Syd's dorm room and took a couple of pics.

She and Noel have fixed it up so sparkly and cute,
like they are.

The twins, sitting on the Cougar out front of the football stadium.

Chad Lewis, who was tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles and Tom and Stacy's good friend when they were at BYU, is now the Associate AD-Development Director for BYU, and he got passes for all of us to go down on the field as the game was beginning.

Pretty exciting stuff for the future Cougars!

We knew Chad back when Tom and Stacy were going to school and Tom was quarterbacking for BYU, and we have always thought he was the greatest guy.  He hasn't changed.

Cute cousins

The game ran past midnight and, though the Cougars were ahead at halftime, they lost to Reno - a real bummer!

A couple months ago, Roger ran into Chad, 

golfing at Entrada in St. George, so I threw in this pic.

We got up early Sunday morning, and drove back to St. George 

so we could attend our branch Sacrament meeting.

It was a super fun weekend.
I miss going to football games since we moved down south.
 And the best part of it all was seeing so many family members and friends.