March Madness with Sadie and Family

I LOVE March Madness!

Our family fills out the brackets for Stratford Family Showdown each year and I've never won, 

but hope springs eternal. 

At this writing, I am in the cellar, so, it won't be this year either.
Thing is, I secretly root for the under dog, like our dad,
so it's actually a win either way!

So we were excited when Rick invited Roger and I to go with him and his family on Thursday and Saturday 

to the 1st and 2nd Rounds in Vivant Smart Home Arena in SLC. 

Our beautiful granddaughter, Sadie, returned home from her mission to Cambodia March 7, 

so the best reason of all for going up north was to see her and go to her homecoming on Sunday!

We drove up to SLC on Wednesday and met Karleen for dinner at Market Street Grill, 

killing two birds with one stone. 

We wanted to use my free meal coupon for my birthday there, 

and we always try to meet up 

with our friend, Karleen, when we come up north.

They were pushing the strawberry shortcake, and Roger couldn't say no to that!

Next morning, off to four games of Basketball Heaven!

Sadie and I are the true Vikings in our family - we're always hot!

 So where does she get sent on her mission - to one of the hottest countries on earth! 

She told me that she will still be a Viking with me, but right now, her body is very confused!

So happy to have this dear girl home!

Roger got eight spoons, and we passed this giant milk shake back and forth 

down the row until it was gone!

On Friday, we drove to Ogden for me to have Jess do my hair and to go to lunch with Lois. 

As we drove by the Wildlife and Resource Center, Rog took a pic of the birdhouse Ryan built 

over thirty years ago for his Eagle Scout project. 

We can't believe it's still hanging!

Saturday, after we picked up Stacy at the Provo Airport, we were back at the playoff games. 

Jodie wanted to be home as family arrived for Sadie's homecoming the next day, 

so Ryan used her ticket.

What great fun we had cheering at those games! Two games were down to the wire 
and some were blowouts, but those kids are such big fans. 

I asked Abby, who is in 8th grade, if any of her girlfriends were into March Madness, 

and when she told them she was going to the NCAA tournament, they said NC what? 

On Friday she got her phone taken away in one of her classes because she was checking the scores. 

These kids, like their dad, are big sports fans!

Then, Sunday the biggest and best reason we came happened!
Sadie delivered a most insightful, touching and well thought-out talk 
about Heavenly Father's "fourth watch."
Her love of Him and the Cambodian people shone through!
What a tough granddaughter with a soft heart we have!

Jodie planned a delicious lunch for family and friends after church. We had barbecued pork sandwiches, 
many yummy salads including a Southwestern one Si Foster from A Bountiful Kitchen brought over 
and I made the shrimp macaroni one their family loves, cut up fruit and dip veggies and dip, 
taco layer dip and many kinds of chips. 
There was a beautiful Pavlova, Chyrrl's brownie cake, chocolate bundt cake 
and many cookies Jodie's friends and neighbors brought.

Jodie and Rick had a real houseful!

Jodie's mom, Kathie

Aunt Chyrrl, Craig and Susie, Shellie and son, Carson and Courtney (not pictured) came from Ogden 

and honored guest, Grandma Lois.

These two graduating high school seniors have been close cousins ever since they went to EFY together. 

Katie will be joining Josh and Sadie at BYU and Jared got in BYU and USU. 

On Monday he and his brother, Sam, who had driven from Boise in a separate car, visited the BYU campus 

for a tour, then on Tuesday, they toured USU. 

Missy sent a big announcement text yesterday. It's official. 

Jared will be an Aggie!!! 

It was the Aggie ice cream that won him over!

Sadie's mission president and his wife, who were released while Sadie was serving, were there. 

Coincidentally, their married daughter, who was in Hong Kong with her husband, 

became best friends with Sydney while there. Such great people!

Clark Gilbert, Emily's brother, his wife, Christine, and son, James, came over. 

Rick and Jodie were friends with them when they both lived in San Francisco. 

Ryan and Em brought daughter, Sarah, with them. 

She couldn't wait to play with cousin Blake!

Kathie loves Grandma Strat, just like everyone else!

After friends left, family gathered in a circle to chat!

After the Ogden relatives left, we hung out with our kids. After this pic was taken, 

we held a family council using the "Come Follow Me" lesson on Christ's parables and teachings. 

What a beautiful discussion we had! 

Our grandkids came up with such deep insight. 

I think kids are just smarter these days - certainly smarter than I was!

We took quick pics before the Smith's (except Jared and Sam, who slept over, then drove to BYU next day) 

had to leave for Boise . . . 

. . . Stacy (the only Young who could come) flew home to Mesa . . . 

. . . and Ryan, Emily and Sarah flew home to Mesa.

I loved watching Jared helping Katie with her AP calculus - I don't even really know what calculus is!

 These cousins are so cute together!

They both plan to serve missions after their freshman year.

We are so tickled that Sadie is home from Cambodia safe and sound 

and that she shared her love and the Gospel 

and her love for the Gospel with the Cambodian people. 

She is a shining light and we love her so much!