More Memories in Mesa

JANUARY, 2016

Isn't life all about contrasts?

January puts on the brakes to life, at least in our experience.

There is a new normal that emerges, after the breakneck speed of the holidays.

And, isn't that good, to get a breather after so much celebrating?

Our January was spent catching up, cleaning up and hunkering down.

Roger and I were both busy with church activities.

Roger taught Priesthood for Branch Conference 

and I led the INSTA-CHOIR in, "The Lord Is My Shepherd."

We enjoyed each week of Brickey's D & C classes and have gotten together with friends for lunches and dinners. 

I enjoyed volunteering at the Chamber of Commerce this month, but am sad that my long-time volunteer partner, Bob, retired from the Chamber. 
With concerns about his eyesight, he isn't going to drive anymore.
In the day, he was an editor at the Salt Lake News Tribune, an avid hiker 
and he knows every nook and cranny in these parts. 
He is a Catholic with 13 children, a voracious reader and he has a quick wit 
that reminds me of my dad.
We had lots of lively and interesting discussions 
and I will miss him!

Mid-January we headed back to Mesa for our grandson, Ben's, ordination to the Priesthood.

When a boy turns twelve, it's good reason to celebrate!

We arrived in Mesa Friday night, cheered loud at Pete's high school basketball game,

then Roger and Ryan's family got up early to run.

All of their family had signed up for, "The Running with the Bulls,"

a fundraiser for their high school 

and is a 5k or a 10k run for all categorized ages.

Emily signed Roger up for the 10k in the 70's category.

He had gotten wind of it a couple of weeks before, but thought it was a 5k, which would be no big deal for him 

because he runs 3 miles almost every morning.

Hooray for the Mountain View Bulls!

Roger placed 2nd in the 10k in his age category!

Ryan placed 7th in the 10k in his age category . . . 

. . . Anna placed 2nd in the 10k in her category 

and Emily placed 2nd in the 10k in Women Over All!

The only woman that beat her runs on the high school track team!

Peter had to hurry off to basketball practice, 

but he placed 5th in the 10k in his age category. 

They all did awesome!

I just went on my usual walk that morning,

as my running days are long over,

but I am so proud of all of them!

As a huge treat for Ben's birthday,

Ryan and Emily took the two sets of grandparents, Ben and Peter to dinner at a wonderful restaurant.

Mastro's has a restaurant, Oceans, in Vegas, where Roger and I have celebrated a couple of times.

We all enjoyed a delicious gourmet meal including different steaks, Chilean sea bass, rack of lamb and amazing sides, which included lobster gnocchi.

They brought Ben this wonderful dessert.

The lucky diners from Ryan's family

The lucky grandparents

After we got back from dinner, Ben had a birthday party at their home with his friends.

One of the Bishop's counselors came over after the block meetings on Sunday 
and Ryan ordained Ben to the Priesthood. 

The Youngs and the Gilbert grandparents came for this special occasion.

Father and son

 Son and mom

Ben with best (and only) bro, Pete

What a wonderful family they are!

Proud grandparents - 

Ben with Grandma Pam and Grandpa Roger . . . 

. . . and Grandma Susan and Grandpa Paul

Emily and Ryan prepared a tasty grilled chicken dinner for us and the Youngs that evening.

Monday, as we were pulling out of their driveway,

I spied these little cuties playing in the sand with their Fairy House they "built."

What creative imaginations they have!

Oh, to be a little girl again!

Granddaughters Becca and Sarah Kate with their friend, Addie

Stacy treated us to lunch at hers and Tom's favorite sushi place

and it was amazing! 

We hopefully will be going back there 

on the next memory-making trip to Mesa!

After lunch, we hit the road for home.

Our car seems to have a magnet that pulls us to Mesa!