Event Stack-up
It was kind of quick turn-around-time, but back to Mesa we headed to be with the twins and Londyn and Maddy
while Stacy and Tom celebrated their 25th Wedding Anniversary on a Viking River Cruise in Europe.
We had some gift card money on Lettuce Entertain You,
so we ate lunch in Vegas at Joe's Stone Crab on the way.
Syd and Charlie were still at Stacy's for a couple of days before they flew back home to Maryland,
so we all got to have some more play time with him.
He doesn't walk, but runs everywhere and sees everything in every corner and gets into it.
His favorite - the dirt in the indoor plants!
What a cute little great-grandson he is!
The night before they left we went out for pizza at Mod. I'm not much of a pizza fun,
but this stuff that each individual can create is yum!
The bonus of going to Mesa is our two kid's families live five minutes away from each other.
Ben earned and received his BSA Eagle from his scoutmaster dad, Ryan. That's four generations -
his Great-Grandpa Gabe would be so proud!
After the ceremony, we went over to Ryan and Emily's to watch the BYU-Tennessee football game.
We didn't think they had a chance, but they beat them in double overtime!
Sunday morning, we attended Ryan and Emily's ward to see Ryan ordained as their new Bishop.
We are so proud of him - he follows in the footsteps of a really beloved bishop
and he feels very humble with this huge calling.
His life is already so busy, but he is so sincere in his desire to serve.
Sunday night we went back over to Stratford's to celebrate Sarah's and Becca's birthdays.
The Youngs are a sports family!
Right now, Luke and Max are playing baseball,
out in well over 100 degree heat and loving it!
I really loved baseball as a kid - Dad didn't get a son until they had John, so I, being the oldest,
got taken under his wing and filled with all kinds of baseball info.
Luke and Max are both walking trivia and stats experts on several sports
(Great-grandpa Gabe would have loved that!),
and we had fun talking about all of the old baseball greats.
Londyn, a senior, and Maddy, a sophomore, both cheer on the Varsity Squad for Mountain View.
Londyn is a flyer and Maddy bases and they are both so fun to watch!
I told the four kids that they could each choose their favorite food for me to make for their dinners.
Luke and Max both chose ribs, but sloppy Joes came in second and it is Roger's favorite.
So Londyn chose shrimp and asparagus lemon linguini
and Maddy chose summer tomato bruschetta and chicken salad.
It's fun to cook for these cute kids!
Because it was 106 degrees and over while we were there, I did my daily walks at Home Depot.
After a few days, I think the clerks wondered why is that woman in the pink, black and white-striped shirt
walking up and down every aisle with an empty cart.
After a couple of days, I put something in it so I wouldn't be constantly asked,
"Can I help you find something?"
The following Saturday, we flew to Boise to attend my brother, John, and wife, Cindy's report
of their Church Self-reliance mission to the Philippines.
We stayed with Missy, Jedd and family, which was a big bonus!
We love to be with this cute family!
The Smith girls, Ellie, Claire and Missy
My cousin, Martha (left), came, who I hadn't seen in years.
And I have missed cute Cindy!
She adds the zest and much heart to our family.
We hadn't seen John and Cindy for over two years,
and oh how I love this brother of mine!
Kay and Ken also came, but had already left when we took this pic to drive to Shonna's in Logan.
My sister, Joan, husband, Tom, and we took a quick pick with John and Cindy.
Patty and Hal were on a cruise with their kids.
Back at the Smith's in Boise, this little sprite sat perched on this chair
throughout the entire, "Despicable Me, 3."
We flew back to Mesa Monday night, had lunch with Stacy and Tom Tuesday and heard about their fabulous trip, then drove to St. George, arriving about 11 pm.
It was Event Stack-up at its finest!
Wednesday we interviewed some more of our Pathway Connect students,
and Thursday night we taught the first Gathering!
So far, we are loving being Pathway Connect Service Missionaries!
Providing an inexpensive world-wide way for upper education,
combining secular and spiritual knowledge, priceless!
