Four Big Summer Events

2ND ANNUAL KEITH AND LOIS STRATFORD REUNION

Roger and I were in charge of the 2nd Annual Keith and Lois Stratford Reunion and we held it at Chyrrl and Glynn's ranch and farm in Warren. There was an amazing turnout of 77, counting Roger's siblings and spouses, their kids and their kids who could come. 

These are the 5 children (minus Gordie, who has passed away) of Keith and Lois Stratford - Roger, Chyrrl, Susan, Scott and Shellie.

Glynn saddled up 5 of his horses and the kids had so much fun taking turns riding them.

Glynn drove the kids around in this cute little truck.

Blake rode up front with Glynn . . . 

. . . and they made quite a friendship!

We cooked hamburgers with all of the fixings and everyone brought lots of yummy salads and desserts.

There were lots of games for the little kids to play and Roger and each of his siblings updated everyone on what happened in their families' lives during the year.

Stacy, Jodie and Blake were the only ones from our family who could come this year, but more are planning on next year.

SAM RETURNS TO BOISE FROM HIS CHURCH MISSION TO COCHABAMBA, BOLIVIA

We drove to Boise to stay with Missy and Jedd and family to hear Sam, who just returned from  Bolivia, speak in church and to get to be with him after a difficult but very successful 2-year mission. We love being with this loving and fun family and we especially enjoyed the fresh produce from Missy's garden. Her tomatoes and pluerries (a combo of plums and cherries were so delicious! And the corn on the cob from this area can't be beat!

Sam's talk on Sunday was so heartfelt. He shared how difficult the first 6 months were and how lonely he felt, not being able to speak the language very well and how difficult many of the hardships the Bolivians live with are. He progressively grew closer and closer to his Heavenly Father and Christ, feeling of their presence and love for him and the Bolivians, whom he also grew to love.

Sam with his little brother, Anderson, and our Stacy and my sister, Joan, catching up in the background

Rick and Jodie flew in from SLC and Stacy and Emily flew in from Mesa. Jedd's brother, Dustin and wife, Christine, with their children, drove up from Malad and brought Jedd's dad, Wendell.

My sister, Joan and husband, Tom, and their children, Devin, and wife, Sarah, and their children; Taylor and wife, Tiffany and Whitney and fiance, Ross, came to the meeting and then, came over for a yummy meal afterwards. 

Sam, Wendell and Jared

The Smith kids with Wendell

Me with my cute baby sister, Joan

Miss Claire entertained us with a song she played and sang from Top Gun. What a little doll she is!

ROGER TURNS 79

Roger's birthday fell on a Sunday, and I fixed pancakes with golden syrup, berries and bacon for breakfast.

For dinner after church, we had giant shrimp cocktail, grilled steak, baked potatoes and corn on the cob.

And after he read all of his nice b-day cards, we had lemon meringue pie for dessert.

Stacy came through St. George, bringing Maddy to school at BYU, and took us out to lunch for another birthday celebration, and we ate delicious sushi at Sakura.

Maddy just got back from a special BYU Abroad program in her major, visiting 2 weeks in Italy, 2 weeks in Paris and 2 weeks in London, which she loved! She then got to go to Scandinavia with Uncle Steve, Aunt Barb and their daughter for a dance experience. We're so happy to have her back in the USA!

KARLEEN VISITED US FOR ANNUAL SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL AND DAY TRIP TO THE GRAND CANYON

Every year, when we have been able to make it happen since we moved to St. George, my dear friend, Karleen, who lives in SLC now, has come to stay with us so we can attend some of the plays in the Shakespeare Festival in nearby Cedar City. We also usually go on a little day trip to visit some of the beauties of nature around our area.

I made Bahn Mi sandwiches and my tomatillo salsa with chips.

We really enjoyed Emma, a musical, based on Jan Austen's novel. We also saw  Timon of Athens, a not as well-known Shakespeare play.

We drove to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon for a day, stopping at Jacob Lake Inn to get some of their famous cookies. We all enjoyed chatting together and catching up with our wonderful friend!

This is Jacob Lake, which Roger and I have driven by before, and we had to show it to Karleen! We all got a good laugh out of it! I guess when it was named, many years ago, it was much larger. Now it's just a big puddle!

ALMOST . . . 

And I can't leave out this pic of Roger's almost Hole-in-One at the St.George Golf Club on the 16th hole!

It has been a great, but hot, summer and I'm ready for fall. 

Next up, our cruise along the New England coast!