93 Years Young!

September 18, 1925, 
was a very good year for the world!

The first-ever television image was transferred 
and Wyoming's Nellie Ross became the first US woman governor. 

But by far, what is most important to the world, . . . 

Laura Lois Crowther Stratford was born!

Roger's mom has 6 children, 28 grand-children, 98 great-grandchildren and 6 great-greats!
And, I dare say, every one of those direct descendants who has the privilege of knowing her, 
absolutely adores her!
As does each person in her life who has had the privilege of knowing her!
It is amazing to me how one woman could make over 100 people feel that he/she is her favorite. 
She holds a rare and special place in all of our hearts.

Of course Roger and I wanted to help celebrate her birthday with her, so we drove up north that day 
and arrived just as the party was starting.
Her girls, Susie and Shellie, planned a get-together for all family members 
at the great meeting place for Stratfords since I have known them -  her home and backyard. 

Jodie, Katie, Abby and Blake were able to come but Rick had stake business he couldn't miss.

Everyone brought their favorite pizza or other quick food (Blake's favorite is French fries!) 

and we had veggies and dip and drinks.

We had three kinds of cake and some cookies, and there was cotton candy for the young and old kids.

A large bouncy slide was set up (forgot to get pics) and the kids played on that non-stop.

Here are her special children - Chyrrl is still in Nauvoo on an LDS mission with Glynn.

Scott, Susie, Lois, Shellie and Roger

Stacy sent her a beautiful, bright bouquet that she loved!

An admirer, a friend of Craig and Susie, who is on dialysis 

and who is one of the many whose lives Lois has touched, 

sent this beautiful bouquet of red roses.

Every year "Keith" sends her a huge, gorgeous bouquet.

We hope this beloved woman sticks around to celebrate many more birthdays! 

Keith will just have to wait!

Last Mesa Hurrah for Pete!

Three cheers for Pete!

Pete's fans at the Mountain View Toro football game

Our wonderful grandson is soon to leave 

on a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' mission 

to Armenia/Georgia.

We headed to Mesa for a Stratford/Gilbert Celebration!

We made it to Mesa in time for Boca Taqueria and the Toro game to see Londyn, Maddy and Sarah cheer. 

Poor Anna, who had hit her head while doing a back flip earlier in the week, 

had to take it easy and couldn't cheer. 

She was so sad, but she's doing great!

Sarah with Toro

Hungry guys Roger, Clark, Paul and Jim Gilbert and Ryan after the basketball showdown. 

Rog was sad he couldn't play because he had a pulled hamstring.

Susan set out a nutritious breakfast of granolas, yogurt, fresh berries and peaches, 

little ham sandwiches, chips and Emily's yummy salsa (a staple at every Gilbert meal) 

and a variety of drinks.

Susan Gilbert with Jim's wife, Katie, and daughters Liz and Emily

Becca and Anna with Gilbert cousins and Aunt Katie

Two friends from Texas Pete met at BYU summer school, Ryleigh and Allie, 

flew to Mesa for Pete's festive weekend.

Pete says he doesn't want to leave on a mission having a girlfriend, but if Allie happens to be around 

when he returns, we would all be delighted!

Allie and Pete

Stacy picked Rick and Josh up at the airport and they got to Gilbert's home 

just before the the BYU-Wisconsin game started.

Just as it was getting going, Paul went to pick up sushi, etc. for lunch. 

When BYU scored a touchdown with their trick play, 

I think to go ahead, we all decided 

it would be fun to rewind the recording, wait for Paul to get back, 

then pretend that it was live when we replayed it 

to see his reaction. It was so worth it! 

There really isn't a bigger fan than Paul! 

After each good thing that BYU did against #6 Wisconsin, we thought, now that is the highlight of the game, 

BYU doesn't have to be embarrassed, they've represented well.

 According to Las Vegas oddsmakers, they had a 6% chance to win. 

When BYU won the game, I'm surprised the roof didn't come off!

I've decided the secret to a happy life is to go in to each thing happening with a low expectation. 

It makes each "victory" twice as sweet!

It was a great BYU send-off for Pete, who is a major sports fan!

After the kids had a fun swimming party back at Ryan and Emily's, we had a delicious salmon dinner, 
grilled by Chef Roger.

There was lots of yummy food to go with it - Stacy's creamed potatoes and carrots, 

a big tossed salad, watermelon, bread and, of course, chips and salsa!

The two grandmas flanked this cute mother/son duo!

The kids came straight from the pool to the food line!

This grandson/grandpa combo kind of like each other!

What a wonderful spirit of love we all felt as we gathered and shared advice to Pete as he leaves 

and pointed out some of his wonderful qualities that will aid him on his mission.

He also shared some of his feelings of his excitement to go and his love and appreciation for his family.

Group hug/Circle of Love

Sunday morning, Pete delivered an insightful talk on forgiveness in Sacrament meeting.

He is such a charismatic and kind-hearted young man. 

And spirituality is such a part of who he is,

 in his very make-up. 

One thing I know, he will love the Armenians and Georgians!

Pete with his beautiful family after church

Stacy's family meets in the same church building Ryan's family meets in. 

It was their ward Primary Program and Max and Luke each had parts 

where they talked about their missionary brother, Jake. 

Luke talked about how Jake and his companion do service twice a week for a woman with cancer 

and Max was so mature, 

standing behind the pulpit in his suit, talking about how he loves his missionary brother. 

We were so lucky to get to hear them while we were in Mesa.

The Gilberts and the Stratfords came to Ryan and Emily's home after the block of meetings for a tasty lunch 

that also celebrated Paul's birthday and we had Paul's favorite - Susan's meatloaf with baked potatoes 

and a variety of salads. 

And the Gilbert ladies made Pete's favorite, banana cream pie.

Stacy and Katie are good friends.

Pete talked about how he stood on the shoulders of many in his family in this generation 

and those generations before him.

I know this grandma and grandpa can't wait to read his emails from his mission 

and hear all about his exciting missionary efforts. 

We love this special boy so much!

We left after lunch to drive back to St. George. 

We had just one day before we left home again to drive to Ogden for Roger's mom, 

Lois's, 93rd birthday celebration.

What a fun-packed celebration in Mesa with another one soon to come!

Looking Back with the Balladiers

With our large family, there is constantly something happening with our kids and our grandkids 

and lots to look forward to. 

But, I notice, more and more, my mind drifts to memories from the past. 

I know that it is a sign of old age when one looks backward more than forward, 

so I'm not going there yet! 

But when the opportunity comes to get together with happy memory makers from the past, 

I'm in!

Mark and Carolyn Zaugg celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary last Saturday night 

in their backyard in North Salt Lake. 

Mark was a member of the USU Balladiers, 

the performing group that I was so happily a part of in my college years.

Several of us were able to make it to the party and the reminiscing and laughter were non-stop!

It was fifty years ago (?!), as the date shows on our USO Benefit Concert poster, 

when we toured seven countries in southeast Asia 

to entertain our Vietnam War troops with our show.

 This upper photo was taken in Wakainai, Japan. Mark Zaugg is 2nd front left. Dr. Val Christensen, our escort "front man" from USU, is next to Mark and he and his wife, Ruth Ann, also came to Mark and Carolyn's 50th Anniversary Celebration, as did Don Gardner and Kent Smith, back row 1 and 2.

In 2012, Dr. Craig Jessop (upper pic, 1st on left on front row) Dean of USU's Caine College of the Arts 

and former Mormon Tabernacle Choir Director,

arranged for the Balladiers to give a full concert at USU.

What a blast we had!

Craig Jessop was late for the pics!

In 2013, we reunioned again in Kent and Linda's cabin on Stanley Lake and performed at the Stanley Lake Lodge.

Nate Day, 2nd on back row and John Bouwhis, 5th on back row, didn't go on the USO Tour 
but previously sang with us. 

Pam Baird couldn't stay for our performance, but came up the day before to be with us.

Which brings us to last Saturday night.

This is Mark, who is a fine guitarist (and he remembers our old songs!) and has a great voice!

Count your age by friends, not years. 

Count your life by smiles, not tears. - John Lennon

You don't stop laughing when you grow old. 

You grow old when you stop laughing. - George Bernard Shaw

Isn't this brother/sister duo cute?

Kent Smith and Pam Smith Baird

That is Val and Ruth Ann Christensen by Marilyn Miller.

We sang some of our favorites, trying to remember the words!

John Bouwhis (2nd from left) is sitting with his wife, Lenore, Denny Baird, 
then spouses Kathy Gardner and Linda Smith are in the foreground. Roger was taking pics. Wish I had taken his pic because he is great friends with these guys 
and traveled on some of our tours.

The Balladier Girls then . . . 

. . . and now!

You can't help getting older, but you don't have to get old. - George Burns

Looking backward every once in a while is awesome!