Bridal Shower for Sweet Sydney

What!

We have a grandchild getting married?

Are we old enough?!!

Our oldest granddaughter, Sydney, got engaged on her birthday 

to a great guy she met at BYU, Jake Walker.

He is a Brit, from a town north of Cambridge 

and he is an RM from the Baltic States, a scholar, a great soccer player 

and he will graduate from BYU in December. 

They plan to be married in the Gilbert Temple on December 19, 2015.

Syd's Aunt Jodie volunteered to have a bridal shower for Sydney in Rick and Jodie's lovely home

and her Aunt Mindy sent out cute invitations and helped make yummy food.

They invited the Stratfords and the Youngs who live Up North.

Of course, Grandma Pam couldn't miss that!

Stacy drove Maddy, Londyn, Luke, Max and herself from Mesa to meet up with Roger and I south of Beaver, 

then I got in Stacy's van and Max and Londyn rode with Grandpa.

If you read this blog,

you know that we are on the road a lot.

On I-15 past Beaver, 

this literal milestone flipped over (Londyn took a pic) . . . 

. . . in our trusty Black Beast!
It has made countless trips to visit grandkids and we have done so in much-appreciated comfort.

Jodie had decked the halls, using Syd's wedding colors . . . 

. . . and it would be difficult to find a more gracious, more full-of-fun hostess!

Syd loves her Utah Stratford aunts, Jodie and Mindy,

who have both been so very supportive while she has been a BYU student in Provo - 
homes away from home!

Addie was excited that she got to come to her cousin Syd's girl party with her mommy, Mindy.

This mom and daughter are somewhat attached at the hip;
Each is the other's biggest fan.

 There will be new adjustments to be made by both 

with these upcoming nuptials,

but each member of the family loves Jake.

He has won his way into their hearts!

The shower guests are, from top left to right:

Noel Candland, Syd's best friend from high school and her roommate at BYU; Grandma Sherry Young; 

Aunt Melissa (Young) Fromm; Mom Stacy; Aunt Mindy (Stratford) Lind; Cousin Sadie Stratford; 

Aunt Jodie Stratford and Grandma Pam.

From left to right, bottom, are:

Great-Aunt Susie (Stratford) Haslam, Great-Grandma Lois Stratford; Syd holding Cousin Addie (Stratford) Lind; Great-Aunt Chyrrl (Stratford) Wayment; Cousin Katie Stratford, Sister Londyn, Sister Maddy and Cousin Abby Stratford.

(Not pictured are Great-Aunt Sherie Stratford, her daughter, Lexie, Aunt Shayne Young and her daughters, Andie and Taryn and her little baby, Macie, who all left before we took this pic.)

Stacy put together a wonderful recipe book with favorite recipes of not only hers and Syd's, 

but many of the attendees at the shower, and other family members.

It is a complete treasure, and Syd was overjoyed!

Great-Grandma Lois made Syd a pretty crocheted doily and washcloths

and also gave her nice pieces of tupperware.

This Betty Crocker's, Dinner for Two was my Bible the first year of marriage.
I gave it to Syd with notes and notations marked throughout of Roger and my favorite recipes.
Hopefully, she can try them, discover her favorites, then pass the book on to the next grandkid who is married.

Syd received many lovely gifts - some she had registered for and some great surprises.

Her aunts and uncles went in on a Bosche mixer (she loves to make bread) and Roger and I 

went in with Stacy on some All-Clad pots and pans.

A video had been made of Jake answering questions about Sydney, then Sydney was asked the same questions at the shower.

They matched on all but one (which Disney princess would Syd be?)!

Jodie made many delicious things to eat . . .

. . . an Asian pasta, chicken, fruit salad, fresh fruit and yogurt cups  . . .

. . . crunchy veggies and dip (not pictured Mindy made) . . . 

. . . homemade bread sticks that she whipped up just before the shower . . .

. . . and homemade ice cream-filled crepes with topping choices of homemade caramel, chocolate, 

lemon and berry sauces, coconut and raspberries.

Syd invited Sadie to be one of her bridesmaids . . .

. . . along with Noelle Candland and Haley Peterson.

Her other bridesmaids are Rachel Walker (Jake's sister-in-law), and her sisters, Londyn and Maddy.

The Stratford Great-Aunts and Grandmas

Grandma Lois with Scott's wife, Sherie, and their daughter, Lexie

Me with my girls

Syd with her sister, Londyn, and her cousin, Katie

Two proud grandmas with our sweet Syd

Three generations

Jodie put together these cute favors for each guest.

What a lovely shower it was - 

such a pleasant afternoon spent together with loved ones!

Now back up to about 2 PM that afternoon, as I was getting ready for the shower, 

Roger was getting ready to take the twins, Max and Luke, to the BYU Homecoming Game. 

Stacy had secured tickets for four - Roger, Max, Luke and Syd's fiancee, Jake

to be up in the loge box at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

With his face animated the way it still gets on Christmas and his voice at an excited pitch,

Roger said, "I think I'll take the boys to the game early. They will love all of the hoopla before the game!"

Somebody could hardly wait!

The twins carefully went over all the stats before the game started.

Roger said Luke wore his helmet that he had brought from home throughout the game.

I think a comment about the apple not falling too far from the tree is in order ;)

They were fed all kinds of food, then at half time, banana splits.

The Cougs played for a packed stadium and beat East Carolina in an exciting finish.

Jodie fixed a delicious dinner for us on Sunday after church, and Jake and Sydney were the guests of honor.

Just a couple of last pics of the twins playing a sports game together on the iPad - 

they are the ultimate of Best Buddy Bros!

It was such an enjoyable weekend, being with family, friends and fun - 

and lots of laughter!