Summertime Visits

Summer is usually a time of more freedom.

It is a time for a change of scenery.

It's a time to hit the road, to visit friends, to expand your horizons.

Roger and I were the lucky recipients of several visitors this month, who participated in all of those things.

Our old friend, Kent Peterson, called Roger recently and said, 

"Make some reservations for dinner at a good restaurant. My treat."

Tom and Linda Weber (our friends from our trip to Israel 

when Tom, Kent and I sang in the Lex de Azevedo, "Hosanna");

George and Sylvia Cobabe, our Ogden neighbors; 

a couple we didn't know (can't remember their names); 

and Kent and Nyla came to stay in St. George 

and also to attend the Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City. 

We enjoyed a delicious dinner at Painted Pony.

Roger had a tasty ribeye . . .

. . . and I had Ahi tuna.

It was awesome to see old friends and to visit with and catch up with them. Kent and Nyla are special people.

Our next visit was Stacy and four of her kids, staying with us overnight on their way Up North.

These two little twiners are so loving!

Next up, Emily came through St. George with their five on their way to Rexburg to drop off Anna at BYU for Soccer Camp, Pete at AFY (Adventures For Youth) 
and to visit her brother, Clark, Christine, and their family.

Clark was just appointed as the new President of BYU Idaho, and they are on the year-round system, 

and they moved their 8 kids to Rexburg in June from SLC.

Emily drove from Coronado, where the whole family had spent the 4th of July weekend 

(Ryan had to fly back to work) and then Emily and kids stayed at the Gilbert beach house the week after.

Ben LOVES rice, so I fixed it with a crunchy poppyseed chicken dish 

that Becca said she wants for her next birthday dinner. 

It made this grandma happy, because it's always tricky fixing for grandkids something they all like! 

They also loved the ice cream sundae bar for dessert.

Then, down the road several days, Stacy came back through with these cute kids, on their way back to Mesa.

They went swimming, we had fun chatting and we were happy to have them back for another visit.

We grilled barbecued ribs and had corn on the cob and baked potatoes.

The sundae bar was such a hit with the Stratford kids, we had it again with the Youngs!

Then, a couple of days later, the Stratfords came back through, this time with their daddy, who had flown to Rexburg at the end of the week, then he drove the family home. 

Sloppy Joes are a good meal to fix when visitors are arriving from traveling, 

not quite sure when they will get there (and it is Roger's favorite!). 

How fun to have their whole family here with us!

Next day, Sunday, Roger spoke as the High Council Rep in our branch Sacrament meeting 

about, "Keeping The Sabbath Day Holy." 

He did an excellent job and the Stratfords were glad to get to hear Dad/Granddad. 

We had an Asian-themed dinner after church with miso-grilled fresh salmon, coconut rice, 

Mandarin orange salad and peas. 

They got the most excited when we had Nielsen custard ice cream cones! 

Pete just got his driver's license, so they had purchased and picked up 

Grit Young's old pick-up truck in Provo.

Was Pete excited!

Pete in front of his new truck

To sum it up,

we had lots of visits, lots of joy and lots of love this month!