Hello and Goodbye!

I guess I am feeling a bit nostalgic as I sit here posting about our latest happenings. 

The unusual rainy July day in St. George could have something to do with it.

It occurs to me, certainly not for the first time, but, again, how life is a long series of hellos and goodbyes. 

What just popped into my head is the Carol Burnett Show sign-off song, 

". . . Seems we just get started and before you know it, comes the time we have to say so long."

These are words that are true of each reunion with loved ones and friends 

and they ring true about life's overall experience. 

So grateful that families are forever!

Our long weekend July 14-16 was filled with hellos and goodbyes. Roger and I traveled up north for our granddaughter, Sadie's "farewell" and her brother, Josh's "welcome home" 

when they both spoke in Sacrament meeting on Sunday. 

We stayed at Mindy and Jeff's home and arrived the night before they returned from Israel after ten days. 

What a joyous "hello"reunion that was with their four kids!

We stopped and shared a tasty dinner at Communal Restaurant in Provo of wild sockeye salmon before we went to Mindy and Jeff's.

We headed to North Salt Lake that afternoon to be with the family. Ryan and Pete flew in from Arizona 

(Emily had other church and family conflicts) and it was so fun to be with our boys, 

Jodie and our wonderful grandkids.

Rick treated us to dinner at Cafe Rio.

Sunday morning at 9, all of our kids and some spouses (Stacy's Tom had to work) and most grandkids 

converged in Rick and Jodie's ward with many other relatives and friends 

to hear Sadie and Josh speak.

 In both talks, heartfelt testimonies of Jesus Christ and his Atonement were expressed.

I claim extreme prejudice here, but these are two truly fine kids.

Josh was an outstanding representative of the Lord in Hong Kong 

   and Sadie will follow those footsteps in Cambodia. 

Jodie and Rick hosted a brunch/lunch afterwards and over 100 people attended.

This grandma and grandpa couldn't be more pleased with this fine young man!

I know this sounds crazy, but we didn't get pics with Sadie 

because we couldn't find her when we were taking pics. 

There were lots of people there, but we should have persisted. 

Here is a cropped pic of her when she was later outside eating with her friends.

We took lots of pics of combos of our family.
We were so pleased that Grandma Great was there and she was beaming with love for these great-grandsons.

Josh set such a good example for his cousins. 

Jake leaves on his mission to Canada in September and Pete plans to go in a year 

after he graduates from high school.

Missy, Jedd and their five kids drove up from Boise and Mindy, Jeff and their four came from Highland.

It is not very often when we get to be together with all of our five children.

Oh, Happy Day!

We had to have a pic with our one remaining matriarch.

We love her so!

All of Jodie's brothers and sister were there, and her dad, Bart, and her cute mom, Kathie.

Jodie put out yummy breakfast casseroles, cinnamon rolls, fresh fruit and dip and lots of drinks. Later, as the afternoon went on, she brought out delicious salads and other goodies. 

Cute Stacy went around taking lots of candid pics; here are some of them:

Jodie's sister, Jennie, with her girls

cute pics with their dad, Bart

Jodie's brother, Scott, with his wife, Becky

Jodie's brother, Chris, with his wife, Julie

(Julie's mom was one of my special KD friends at USU)

Jodie's sister-in-laws, Becky and Julie

(Aren't they so cute and they're even nicer)

Proud Grandpa Bart and Uncle Scott

We all had a great time catching up with the Nilsons.

Some of the missionaries Josh served with came, as well as many friends.

The girl in the pic is his cousin, Eliza Nilson, 

who served a mission to Taiwan and also speaks Mandarin.

Poor Jared broke his shoulder and wrist in a Super Adventure activity.

Dad Rick was pumped on this special day and so proud of Sadie and Josh!

Roger's nephew, Brad, his wife, Synda, and their two daughters, who live in Mesa, were in town and were able to come. 

This pic didn't catch them smiling, but we were pleased that Roger's sister, Shellie, was able to bring Grandma from Ogden, and her son, Carson, and his girlfriend came, too.

This is the only pic we got with Sadie in it.

Many of her friends came to wish her well.

I love this pic of our two youngest, Missy and Mindy, with their handsome husbands.

Abby with her cute cousins

Ellie and Jared

Cousin Brad catching up with Rick, Ryan and Roger

Stacy is a special friend to Brad and Synda's daughter, Kennedy, in Mesa. 

A quick shot with my precious Katie

Stratford girls

I've got the best daughters in the world!

Jake and Josh

Jodie decorated with pretty flowers, and I loved this fresh daisy vase.

As you can see, this was a very special day of hellos and goodbyes, one that we'll think back on for a long time.