Between and After (Weddings and Graduations)!

With Londyn's wedding one weekend in May and Maddy and Ben's high school graduation the next Thursday, we decided to drive to Sedona for a couple of days and nights instead of driving back to St. George, then returning so soon after. We had never been to Sedona and this plan also allowed us to attend the two graduates' Baccalaureate and seminary graduation.

So, Monday morning, off we went!

Sedona

True to form, I'll begin with pics of some of the delicious food we enjoyed. Our first evening, we ate at a concierge-recommended Mexican food restaurant, Javalina's Cantina.

We shared shrimp ceviche, grilled fish with mango salsa, which were tasty, but the guac was the real star here!

We had Marriott points to use, so we stayed at this beautiful property, Courtyard Marriott, and were pleasantly surprised how extra nice it was. We had pretty views out our balcony.

I've thought, ever since we moved to St. George with its spectacular red rock formations, that Sedona would basically be more of the same, but here's the major difference. Because Sedona is so much higher in elevation - 2600 versus 4300 - there is a lot more GREEN to set off the red. Pretty pine trees and other vegetation covers the landscape. All around the little town, a wide variety of red and green views are striking.

Artsyness and a focus on the mystical are also draws to Sedona. It is said that the red rocks have an energy that can heal psychologically as well as physically. There are many forms of art displayed and sold and there are little shops that cater to the mystics, selling crystals, etc.

We loved these statues of the boy and his dog fishing.

Isn't this charming and whimsical - children and their dog walking on a log.

The foxgloves were in bloom and so beautiful!

We shopped in quaint shops in the area below the first morning.

These pretty flowering cactus were outside our balcony.

Roger hiked up to Cathedral Rock.

Castle Rock

We had an unusual lunch at Creekside Bistro and dinner at Pumphouse Station (pictured below).

On the morning before we drove back to Mesa, we ate on a lovely patio of a boutique hotel, Casa Sedona Inn. It was a lovely setting on a pretty morning.

Syd, Jake and boys were staying at Stacy's for the week, as we did for three days before we returned to St. George and we got to play with Henry and Charlie while there - a real highlight of the week!

Little Henry's nickname is Perma-smile!

Charlie asks many questions - he is so curious about everything - and he is very bright and so outgoing. He is so fun to talk to!

He was constantly in movement or playing an invented game. Where's Charlie?

Little Charlie loves to learn.

Tom treated us all to Jake's favorite that he misses in England - California Pizza Kitchen!

Now we jump into the after part of this post. After we returned to St. George, then traveled Up North for Abby's graduation, we decided to drive to Logan, then out to West Weber to place flowers on our parents, grandparents and Gordie's (Roger's brother) graves.

We received a call from Missy in Logan that her beloved mother-in-law, Pam, passed away. She has been suffering from severe rheumatoid arthritis and other ailments for years. She had a wonderful personality with a quick wit and she was one of those people that I wish I lived closer to so I could hang out with her. I really liked her. She was just able to have the two boys, Dustin and Jedd, our son-in-law, whose twin brother, Jared, died soon after birth. Pam always wished for more children and adored her boys and her 9 grandchildren.

Her grandchildren, minus Sam and Lance, who are on Church missions, sang her favorite song at the funeral.

Rick, Jodie and Blake also drove to Malad for the beautiful service. Jedd's and Dustin's talks were outstandingly thoughtful and sweet.

Roger and I with our daughter, Missy's family at the cemetery.

Next up, just four days later, was Roger's Honor Flight to Washington, DC, which I will post next. Grandson, Josh and wife, Jaylene, became proud parents of little Caleb Joshua on June 3, Rick's birthday - he will share his birthday with his grandpa! We stopped to see and hold him on our way to Rick and Jodie's. Roger and Rick flew ot the next morning.

He is adorable - perfect in every way! He is our third great-grandchild - all boys! He is the first to carry on the Stratford name!

The final after I will report in this post is the Smiths with the littles visit to St. George. Jedd and 7 biking friends rode again this year in the Kokopelli Bike Race - most challenging cycling relay in Utah. It goes from Moab through the night to St. George, a 530 mile course. Missy drove from Boise with Anderson and Claire to stay with Roger and I for a couple of days. 

We had a late lunch at Sakura, where I have been wanting to try since they opened their new, larger location in St. George. I love Bento box lunches and Missy and I love sushi!

Jedd's team came in an amazing 10th in a field of 38 teams. You can sign up for compete and non-compete, which is what theirs did, so that's pretty good for age 40+ guys!

The kids had fun swimming and playing at the All Abilities Park, though it was super hot temperatures! I fixed a chicken enchilada dinner for them, then their family went to see Mary Poppins at Tuacahn.

We fixed a big breakfast for them Sunday morning before they left on their long, ten-hour journey back to Boise.

It has been a non-stop string of events, out-of-towns and non-stop visiting for a couple of months. With a big family, asi es la vida! We love it!