"Pomp and Lots of Circumstance . . . "

To see Ryan and Emily's son, Peter, walk to Pomp and Circumstance 

to get his Mountain View High School diploma 
was what took us to Mesa for a few days the fourth week of May.

But, boy, did we get to be in on so much more!

Baccalaureate was held the Sunday before we arrived and Pete was a speaker. 
We watched a recording of it and his speech was wonderful!
He's a natural!

We arrived just in time for Pete's Seminary Graduation.

It was cool to see so many fine young men and women gathered to graduate. 

We enjoyed listening to a particularly charismatic teacher speak and you could tell by the kids' response 

how much they love him.

We loved hangin' out with Ryan and Em's family afterwards.

Next day was Graduation Day!

Ryan and Emily hosted a big barbeque for Pete's relatives and a few friends 

and one of Emily's friends made this super cake! 

Roger grilled hamburgers and Emily's family and friends brought yummy salads and desserts.

Anna has taken up playing the uke - I'm so proud of her!

We're also pretty proud of our Pete and his kind, friendly manner. 

He has gone out of his way to acknowledge and include everyone he could in his interactions 

with his large student body of over 3500 and has been an outstanding SB President. 

He has had a special year and was awarded these plaques:

Pete's graduating class was over 800, but they were very organized,

 with two lines receiving their diplomas at a time.

We are proud grandparents!

In the afternoon, before the barbeque, Roger and I slipped over to Stacy's house, 

where the twins were having their 10th birthday party.

And guess who arrived from Hong Kong that afternoon for a visit!

Stacy had just picked our darling Sydney up at the airport, 

and oh, how good it was 

to see her and give her giant hugs!

 She and Jake are expecting a little boy in August!

We'll be great-grandparents!

Really? Yahoo!

Two weeks before her due date, true to her word, 

Syd will complete her college education and graduate from BYU/Idaho via the internet!

It has taken major diligence on her part to study on her computer without any of the interacting fun of college. 

We are so, so proud of her!

In anticipation of this event, I have been saving a gift for her, and we wanted to watch her open it, 

even if it is a bit early.

Syd completed her freshman year at BYU/ Provo and Jake graduated from there.

Great-Grandma Lois sent with us a big bundle of handmade goodies she made for Syd 

and she opened up those next.

Grandma makes beautiful crochet-edged and knit blankets and other wonderful goodies 

for each baby born in her large family. 

She is amazing! Syd was thrilled!

Next day, to celebrate Pete's graduation, Ryan invited Roger and his kids to go flying at iFLY.

So fun to watch!

Here goes Pete . . . 

 Roger said he prefers to fly with an airplane around him 

but he said it was a blast!

Ryan really soared!

Each of the kids are quite flexible and flew well and loved it, 

and I conclude with little Sarah.

She was so excited and not a bit scared!

(Sorry, Ben. We took this pic while you were in the bathroom.)

That evening, Grandma and Grandpa Gilbert came over so Roger and Paul could participate 

in Pete being made an Elder and receiving the Melchizedeck Priesthood. 

A High Counselor, the Bishop and the Young Men's President were so kind to come over to their home.

Tom was on call, but Stacy and Syd came over, too.

Afterwards, Ryan took us to Pete's favorite place for dinner, Zupa's.

Next morning was the baptism of a cute friend of Londyn's, Taylor Misner. 

She, a couple of years older, picked Londyn up every morning for cheer-leading practice last year, 

and now she is in college. 

She took the missionary lessons, gained a testimony, and wanted to be baptized. 

All of the Youngs were great friends to her and she asked Stacy to speak and Syd to sing.

What a treat it was for Roger and I to attend such a special event!

Stacy has the nicest friends, ones she made in Paradise Valley when they lived there, and ones in Mesa. 

Knowing that Syd was coming for a visit, two great ladies hosted a baby shower luncheon for Sydney 

in one of their homes at 11:30, 

so we girls loaded up in the van and drove from the baptism to Arcadia.

Everything was so lovely, the food was delicious 

and I got to see some of Stacy's friends who I know and meet others. 

Syd with Mom, Grandma and sisters Londyn and Maddy

Cute Jimbo's wife, Sham

Syd was so appreciative and happy to see old friends.

It's always a small world. The gal standing behind the couch is Stacy's friend and the daughter of a wonderful lady who used to live in Sunbrook. 

Synda Wayment, Brad's (Stacy's cousin) wife is between Syd and Stacy.

They gave the cutest favors to take home - little bottles of Martineli with gold straws to celebrate when Baby Walker is born.

We took the boys shopping for their birthday presents. 

They were so cute, being careful to pick out something even under the price limit.

We attended church in Stacy and Tom's ward, then Stacy fixed a delicious grilled salmon dinner 

for all of us and Ryan's family.

Next day was Memorial Day.

Stacy invited Jimbo and Sham and kids, Brad and Synda and kids, her niece, Andy, and daughter 

(her husband is in medical school and had to stay home and study) and Ryan and Em and family over 

for a swimming party and cook-out. 

This pic was taken after we had all eaten, but we had marinated grilled chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans salads, chips and dips, corn on the cob and yummy desserts.

We were planning to drive home Tuesday morning, but Emily was able to get an appointment for Pete 

to go through the Phoenix Temple (the Mesa Temple is closed for renovation) 

to take out his endowments. 

His mission call was very slow to come, and when we were in Mesa it had not come yet, but since then, he received his call to go to the Armenia Georgia mission. 

He will learn to speak Armenian.

What a beautiful temple it is and it was so cool to go through a session with loved ones.

What an action-packed few days, memory-making for sure, and we drove home Wednesday, 

then flew to St Louis Thursday afternoon to visit Chyrrl and Glynn in Nauvoo.

Stay tuned . . .