Memorial Day Weekend Up North

Roger and I greatly looked forward to going Up North for Memorial Day Weekend this year, 

for two different reasons.

He was invited and treated by our oldest son, Rick, on a golf adventure to Bandon Dunes, Oregon, 

with Rick's son, Josh, and our other son, Ryan. 

That same foursome went to Pebble Beach over six years ago, and this was kind of a farewell golf trip 
for Josh, who will be leaving soon for the MTC. 

I was going to meet up with my siblings and spouses (Kay and Ken couldn't be there) 

at our parents' graves in Logan, to place flowers and to honor them.

We rarely get together and we haven't been on a get-away trip for a few years.

So I was really excited to see them! 

We left Wednesday morning with the goal in mind to stop at the Open House of the new Payson Temple 

on the way to Rick's home in SLC. 

Payson, Utah Temple

Though the day was overcast, there were many lined up to go through this beautiful new House of the Lord.

The surrounding grounds were strikingly beautiful.

With the theme of apple blossoms, representing the many apple orchards in the area, 

the interior rooms are stunning.

The Baptismal Font

There were gorgeous painted murals all around the font.

There are five stories in the temple, with finely crafted staircases. 

We were so impressed with how orderly the volunteers handled the crowds,

and it was a special experience to be there.

I stayed Thursday and Friday with Jodie and the kids, and thoroughly enjoyed being with them - 
they are such a great family!  
Jodie treated me to lunch on Friday at a fun restaurant near downtown SLC, Gourmandise.

Saturday morning, Patty and Hal picked me up at Rick's to travel to Logan to meet up at noon 
with my brother, John and his wife, Cindy, who drove from Caldwell that morning, 
and my sister, Joan, and her husband, Tom, who had gone on a little road trip to Bear Lake and Soda Springs, then spent the night in Logan Friday night.
It was so fun to catch up chatting with my sister, Patty, and her husband, Hal, 
as we drove to Logan, then greet the others, when we arrived, with great joy! 

It had rained hard earlier that morning, but we were very lucky and we didn't get rained on.

We set our cameras on a tombstone in front of us, set the timer, counted to six, and click, click, click!

Four of the five Lyman and Dorothy kids - we missed Kay and Ken!

And Roger hated to miss the reunion - why do good things so often happen at once?

Cindy is our sister, too!

Evan and Kelly, who own a large flower company, sent the most absolutely gorgeous flower arrangements!

Mom's (who loved pink) . . . 

. . . and Dad's

We next drove to Wellsville, where our Grandma Peterson's parents who raised her, 

James and Sarah Parks, are buried.

Our mom's mom, Libby Fox's mom (our great-grandmother) died in childbirth when she had her, 

so a barren second cousin and her husband, Sarah and James, took her in. 

It really pleased our mom, when, years ago, we drove to Wellsville to put flowers on the Park's grave, 

so we like to do it after we go to the Logan Cemetery each year that we can go.

Tradition is to drive to Brigham City to eat at Maddox, 

before the gathering breaks up and everyone heads for home.

The food is always delicious, with everything homemade, including amazing rolls, 

cornbread, salad dressings, pies and ice cream.

Their fresh halibut is a special treat!

We had so much fun laughing and talking, sharing what's new in our lives 

and teasing each other about the past.

We genuinely like each other and love to go on fun trips together.

We set a tentative date for our next adventure (in 2017) and talked about the destination possibilities.

John's birthday is in May, so I gave him V chocolates caramel and chocolate-covered pretzels. 

We were all so full after our yummy dinner, so I hope he enjoys them later!

We were all reluctant to say good-bye, 

but were glad that we will see each other at the extended family Gabrielsen Reunion the end of June. 

There is just kind of a magic that happens when we are all together, 

and we don't realize how much we miss it until we are together again!