Grandma Lois's 95th Birthday

On September 18, 1925, a very wonderful thing happened for the world!

Laura Lois Stratford, Roger's beautiful mom, was born!

Of course, despite Covid, her very large progeny celebrated this momentous occasion!

Her party was on her birthday and it worked out great for us - Sadie's wedding was the day before,

and we were Up North for both occasions.

Like mother, like son!

This wonderful woman has been like a second mother to me. 

She has patiently taught me how to do so many homemaking and mothering skills 

through 53 years of our marriage - even learning to crochet left-handed so she could show me. 

Alas, I was hopeless with that one, but throughout all of these years, she has been my Ground Zero 

for reference, consultation and unfailing love!

Lois really looked forward to the celebration!

We sent her this beautiful arrangement - pink is her favorite color!

Our five kids and spouses came to Utah for the wedding and all drove to Ogden the next morning 

to visit Grandma and have lunch with her.

Stacy and Tom brought us all favorite salads from Kneaders.

We wore masks, but took them off for quick pics with her.

We didn't get pics of each couple, but here are a few.

 

Jedd and Missy

Ryan and Emily

Do you see the resemblance?

Tom and Grandma

At lunchtime, we got to have Lois almost to ourselves, before her other kids, grandkids and great-grandkids came.

We took a picture with all of our kids and spouses with Lois, except Jeff, 

who had to work that day.

Throughout the afternoon and evening, more of her loved ones came to the party.

These are just some of the 131 blood progeny, not to mention all of the spouses!

Happy Birthday, dear Grandma Strat!

Lois's beautiful kids!

Add in the spouses!

We stayed with Rick and Jodie through Saturday night, drove back to Ogden to have, "Come Follow Me," 

with Grandma, Chyrrl & Glynn and Susie & Craig on Sunday, ate, then drove to Patty and Hal's 

and stayed over Sunday night. 

Throughout this Covid time, almost every evening before the sun goes down, 

Blake and whoever can go, drive to the Bountiful Temple for a "Temple Walk".

Blake asks for one every night and we got to go on one with him Saturday night.

Isn't this a gorgeous pic Roger took of the sun going down?

Patty cooked a yummy hamburger for us Sunday night, then Sunday night and Monday morning

 into the afternoon, I edited her book that she put together on Grandma and Grandpa Peterson. 

It is truly a labor of love and it will be so wonderful for all of us to have.

We arrived back in St. George Monday evening, and got take-out of a "burger 'n fries" 

to toast Adam's birthday anniversary.

That's a big action weekend, especially during a Pandemic!

We are so happy and grateful that we could join these special celebrations in our family 

and continue to be safe!

Sadie and Joe Get Married!

After about a ten-month courtship and despite Covid 19, 

our wonderful granddaughter, Sadie, married Joe Nydegger, and, of course, we couldn't miss it! 

So we "un-sequestered" and traveled north to their home a couple of days before.

Sadie had registered for the exact Dutch oven, even the color, that I had previously picked out!

Their temple appointment in the Provo City Center Temple to get married was at 1 PM. 

The neighbor across the street fixed Sadie's hair in the morning, 

we all got ready 

and Rog got these quick pics in the garage as we were leaving for Provo.

Isn't this a pretty mother/daughter duo?

Add in Sadie's handsome dad!

I don't think there is a more lovely temple interior than is in the Provo City Center Temple. 

Roger and I remember when it was the Provo Tabernacle and we attended concerts there. 

We were heart-broken when it almost burned down and we were so thrilled 

when it was renovated into a temple.

We had the temple celestial rooms to ourselves for a beautiful ceremony in which only 16 could attend 

and we all wore masks. All happy greetings to the new bride and groom were done outside 

and in the adjacent building to the temple. 

Presenting the new Mr. and Mrs. Nydegger!

Sadie had truly beautiful flowers.

I loved Sadie's hair! 

                                                           

After not being able to hug grandkids for six months, I threw caution to the wind!

Sadie's adorable sister, Katie, dressed in her pretty pink bridesmaid dress, called on iChat after the ceremony. 

She is on Long Island, serving a Church mission that was originally set for Japan. 

She's not sure she will make it to Japan for her mission, but she raves about how happy she is in New York!

Blakey was brought to the temple grounds so he could be in the family photos.

Here is another pretty mother/daughter duo!

Grandpa kinda likes this cute granddaughter!

Joe's and Sadie's sisters and brothers made up most of the bridesmaids and the groomsmen, 

with each a special friend.

Joe's sister, Mary, and Sadie's sister, Katie, are on Church missions, but they both called the couple on iChat 

and there were video recordings of each of them that night.

Grandma and Grandpa also got pics with Abby and brother, Josh.

Rick and Jodie's family in front of the Provo City Temple

The wedding party family members drove to the Grand America in SLC for the wedding dinner. 

The courtyard in the center of this lovely property made a great backdrop for the photos.

Blake is happy to get a new buddy!

Because the families are so large, 

the aunts, uncles and friends invited met all of us at the hotel.

It was so exciting to see our three daughters all together after so long!

The bride and groom with us and our kids

Add in their spouses!

The grandmas, Jodie and Joe's mom wore these fresh rose wristlet corsages.

Guest photo book, where we left well wishes for the bride and groom

When they planned the wedding, there could be only 99 guests. 

The number increased that week, so there a few more.

Joe's parents, Joe and Sadie and Sadie's parents at the head table

Isn't this a cute pic of Jodie and Rick?

Jake got to sit at the table with his aunts and uncles. Londyn and Anna were at another table. 

Sadie could just invite the cousins who were close to her age because of the limited Covid number.

We enjoyed visiting with Kathie and Bart and getting to know Josh's girlfriend, Jaylene. 

We love her and are crossing our fingers!

Josh played, Grieg's, "Wedding Day at Troldhaugen," 

and Jaylene turned the pages for him. 

They play duets together!

There were toasts and we got to hear from moms and dads, brothers and sisters and the bride and groom. 

Beautiful photos were shown on a big screen throughout the dinner and a cute video 

played after dinner.

It was such a lovely program. 

Joe has such a nice family!

The cake was cut and dancing convened on the patio. One benefit of Covid is the other hotel reception rooms were empty and we felt that it was all just for us!

For the Daddy/Daughter Dance, Rick and Sadie danced to the daddy/daughter duet, 

"Unforgettable," by Nat and Natalie Cole. 

These two are like clones and have always been close. 

Sadie and Joe stayed three nights in the Grand America and they hope to take their honeymoon in the spring. 

They ran through a line of well-wishers holding long sparklers. 

What a lovely wedding, despite Covid!