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!