Gravy Time in Arizona

When the weather finally cools down in St. George,

we have lovely falls, winters (most of the time) and springs.

 The sun is shining, it is so pleasant to be outdoors 

and you feel glad to be alive.

I call that Gravy Time in St. George. 

Phoenix area is entering its Gravy Time. 

In November every year, the National Kidney Foundation

sponsors a fund-raising Authors Luncheon, held at the Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix, 

and invites best-selling authors to come, speak for ten minutes each, and, of course, 

autograph any book you might purchase. 

This is one of my favorite things of the year. 

My daughter, Stacy, invited me a few years ago, 

and I loved it and now look forward to it every year.

This year, it helped me get through my cataract and laser surgery 

the week before.

Voice to self, as I am staring at the ceiling in the surgery room 

with the one, uncovered eye, 

waiting for the anesthetic to kick in (which it never really did). . . 

". . . think about how fun it will be to listen to Ruth Reichl, Valerie Plume and Aarti Sequeira (Aerti's Party on Food Network). . . think about your cute grandkids. . .  think about how great it will be for this to be over with and you can see without any glasses . . . "

This year was one of my favorites - 

the lunch was delicious and the MC, Adriana Trigiani, hilarious. 

Stacy, Sherry Young (Tom's mom), and I shopped before we got there, then left early to drop Stacy off at Sun Devil Stadium to meet Tom and another couple, who had invited them, to see ASU play Notre Dame - 

kickoff at 1:30.

Paul Gilbert took all of his boys - son and son-in-laws and male grandsons who live in the area, 

and he invited Roger to go.

It was a Big League college football game, and ASU won.

Roger really enjoyed it, especially being with his son, Ryan, and grandsons, Pete and Ben.

Saturday evening, we went to get dinner at Pita Jungle.

I love their chicken shawarmas and their hummus.

After church on Sunday, Stacy and Tom hosted a big family gathering - 

Sherry and Grit had just arrived at their home in Mesa for the winter, Tom's brother, Jim, his wife, Sham, and four kids moved to Gilbert to practice dermatology and they get together often and Sham's parents were visiting from Texas.

She also invited Ryan, Emily and kids.

We made white chili, taco soup (triple recipes each) and Stacy's famous breadsticks.

She set this table up for some of the adults inside and

(not pictured), a table outside for the other adults and big kids.

The little kids ate in the diner.

Stacy's house looked so cute, as always, decked out with Thanksgiving decor.

Londyn is the best sous chef ever - 

she stood right by my side throughout the cooking of the soups,

helping all the way.

Sherry brought a yummy salad and grapes, Sham made cupcakes and Emily made salted caramel brownies.

Pete came directly from a church meeting, 

still in Sunday dress.

By the way, we just got the news that he made the freshman basketball team for next year - hooray!

 Tom took a pic of the adults.

Stacy knows how to put on a party,

and it was great to catch up with everyone.

Monday morning, we shopped for some real sunglasses for me, minus the prescription lenses.  

Stacy is the best fashionista, 

and I wanted for her to help me pick them out.

She treated Roger and I to lunch at Flo's, then we hit the road for home.

Gravy Time in Arizona is awesome!

Becca's Baptism and Mesa Memories

Our sweet Becca was to be baptized on Saturday, October 25, in Mesa.

Jake's last JV football game of the season was Thursday night, and we hadn't seen him play, and he was the quarterback, so we left early Thursday morning to get to Mesa in time for the game.

Jake has a strong, accurate arm and he threw some awesome passes. 

They played their rivals who have a better record.

The rivals won the first half and Jake's team won the second half.

The rivals came out on top, but because Jake's team had played so well that second half,

they ended the season on a high.

Jake had a big cheering section, including Uncle Ry Ry, 

Pete and Ben; all of his own family except Syd at BYU 

and Grandma Pam and Grandpa Roger.

Roger and I had both contracted a pesky cold/flu bug,

so we fought that all during our Mesa stay,

but it didn't stop us from going to several things going on 

in Ryan and Emily's kids' lives. 
Friday, Emily treated Stacy, Dad and I to lunch 
at a great Mexican food place in nearby Gilbert. 
Gilbert has several foodie, yummy places in their downtown area.

That afternoon, Anna had a small group of friends - 
two violin players, a flutist, a pianist and another singer - 

come over to their home to practice, 

"A Child's Prayer," for Becca's baptism the next day.

I helped them put it together (sort of - 

they were very talented little gals, and pretty much knew what they were doing),

and we decided to run over to the church to practice with the mic.

Anna and Becca sang the first verse, Becca and Anna's friend sang the second verse, then Becca and Anna sang first verse with Anna's friend singing the second, when they put the two together on the third verse. 

Anna is a good little singer and Becca's sweet voice blended well with hers, as sister's voices do.

And they were talented, little instrumentalists.

Roger and I split up that night - 

I went with Emily to Anna's soccer game,

and Roger went with Ryan and Becca to their ward's Daddy Daughter Night.

The girls played all kinds of fun games with their "Daddies"; 

Roger said it was so well-organized with lots of clever, fun competition.

By Saturday morning, I had almost completely lost my voice and Roger was breaking out with cold sores under his nose, and, causing more concern, on the roof of his mouth.

Doctor Ryan took us to the drug store and prescribed some "aggressive" medicine for Roger.

But we didn't want to miss Ben and Becca's piano recital that morning.  They have a beloved, new teacher, who is talented at bringing out the best in her students and giving them confidence

(one of her methods is to throw cotton balls at them while they are performing to help them get used to distraction as they play).

They both played very well.  Becca is just starting, and showing promise. Ben is a natural talent, feeling the music, as his Dad did and does, as he plays.

The Big Day arrives, and Becca looks beautiful in her white dress,

and so excited to be baptized.

Proud Papa, Ryan, and Mama, Emily

Becca's family are all ready to go to see her get baptized 

and confirmed a member of the Church.

Rebecca Sue's grandmas and grandpas 

love this sweet granddaughter.

Becca had her own baptismal service because of scheduling conflicts with the stake services. There were almost 100 relatives and friends who came to the Church to see Becca baptized and confirmed.  These are her family members who were at their house before we left to go over there.

Becca's Dad baptized and confirmed her a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I love the feeling that this painting of Christ gives, 

with these good parents and their daughter standing next to Him.

Everyone was invited to come over to Ryan and Emily's home 
after the ordinations.
Emily served yummy build-your-own tacos, chips and lots of JalapeñoBuck's (a local, homemade brand that we bring home after every trip to Mesa) green and red salsa. 
A friend made this delicious CTR cake and another friend, the decorated cookies.  Mesa has talented bakers!

Lots of the kids went swimming in their pool.

Ryan had their yard in top condition.

Emily, her mom, Susan, her sister, Liz and her brother, Jim

Her brother, Clark, from SLC, couldn't come,

but his wife, Christine and their little daughter, Claire, flew in that morning to surprise Becca. 
Claire Gilbert is just one month younger than Missy and Jedd's baby Claire.

Becca has a real attachment to this little cutie, 
and was over the moon!

Finally, that evening, we had some time with Becca to give her her belated birthday present. 

She was tickled with her new purse/wallet.

Sunday was Ryan and Emily's ward Testimony meeting; 

 they each bore a beautiful and touching testimony of gratitude.

Emily's parents hosted a lovely dinner and Family Home Evening at their home in Paradise Valley Sunday night for their family, 

Tom and Stacy's family and us. 

Susan served beef bourguignon, this lovely Caprice salad and several things orange for a Halloween theme.

Delicious ice cream cake rolls were served for dessert.

Gilberts have been getting together with the Youngs ever since Tom and Stacy moved there, 

taking turns hosting dinners and FHEs.  

They also celebrate whoever's birthdays have been that month, 

each telling something that they like about that person.

Sunday night, back at Ryan and Emily's, we gave Becca her Baptism Box Grandpa Roger made for her.  

He is explaining to the kids how he made the "Hold to the Rod" floating fist in the shadow box.

As always, our trip to Mesa was chock full 

of happy activities and events -

after all, 11 of our grandchildren live there!

We arrived home Monday night, 

still with my hoarse voice and Roger's cold sores,

but so glad we didn't miss all of the wonderful experiences 

that we had in Arizona!