Tuesday, January 9, 2018

50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration!


Fifty years? Already?
On December 14, 1967, Roger and I were married in the Salt Lake Temple for time and eternity.
It was the last day the temple was open before the new year
and we wanted to get married between quarters at USU.
In those days, brides (who hadn't done so to serve a mission, etc),
would usually take out their endowments the same day that they were married.
That made for a very long day, with our reception following that night.
We left from Ogden for the Salt Lake Temple very early to make the 7 AM session.  It was an extremely blustery day with snow and sleet falling and record-breaking winds.
As I walked out the door of Roger's home in the dark, arms laden with bridal stuff,
the screen door nearly blew off its hinges.
The wind was blowing sleet so hard in my face that I really could not see!
I stood frozen, not knowing which direction to walk.
Roger came up behind me and guided me to the car.

He has been guiding me, literally and figuratively, ever since in his patient, loving way.
Best decision I ever made was to marry this man!


We are going to celebrate in March/April on a Mediterranean Cruise with our kids and their spouses.
but Roger arranged for us to have a two-night get-away to Las Vegas on our anniversary.
We have enjoyed staying at the Aria in the past.
and they treated us royally with an upgrade to a junior suite and other goodies.




Their lobby was gay and festive, the mistletoe appropriate for the occasion.


But I get ahead of myself.
On the drive to Las Vegas, we stopped for lunch at the best Mexican restaurant in St. George -
Los Lupes in Mesquite!
I know, silly joke!



We did some Christmas shopping in the outlets off Charleston Ave.


Roger made reservations for our anniversary dinner at this wonderful French restaurant, Le Cirque.



The prix fixe menu included choices of amazing appetizers, entrees, desserts, French candies and macarons.
Our meals were divine!
As a gift after the meal, we were presented with a little red box.
When you pull out each drawer, there is a small bonbon inside.








We are always amazed at the Bellagio's Christmas decorations with live flowers in the terrarium.







The walkways are lovely mosaics and liquid chocolate pours from the ceiling in Jean Philippe Patisserie.



My 50th Anniversary present from Roger - I am thrilled!







Next day, we had lunch in Mon Ami Gabi and had the fruits de mere platter for two.



That evening we went to a Broadway musical mash-up at the Palazzo, Baz
It was over-produced and kind of a downer about tragedies (Romeo and Juliet, Cabaret, The Great Gatsby).
It sounded like it would be better than it was.
We were having such a good time, we just chalked it up to an unusual experience!


What a magical interlude in the middle of the Christmas Rush  
and what a happy celebration of our fifty years together!
Here's to fifty more!


Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Thanksgiving, 2017, in Alpine

What a happy Thanksgiving we spent at Mindy and Jeff's new home in Alpine!
They had also invited their long-time friends, Jay and Nachele and family. 
Jay was Jeff's mission companion in Ireland, they worked on Wall Street together, took jobs in Denver at about the same time and now both families live in Utah.
Roger and I actually met them in New York for the first time, 
saw them in Denver when we visited and thoroughly enjoy being with them!
We all spent Thanksgiving morning and the day before preparing the traditional dishes - 
prepping and roasting the turkey, gravy, candied yams, mashed potatoes, dressing, green bean casserole, corn, fresh cranberry sauce, (of course, we had to have sauerkraut and Nachelle brought sticky rice, our family traditions), rolls (Nachelle made them), honey butter, pretzel salad and Grandma's pumpkin pie. 
Nachelle brought their traditional family favorite, squash pie.


Mindy set a lovely Thanksgiving table for the adults . . .


. . . and for the kids.




Mindy made these yummy chocolate cupcakes - the kids didn't really like pumpkin pie!




We love this "baby" daughter of ours!


Roger is THE VERY BEST sous chef and clean upper ever!


We took a walk after dinner, as did half their neighborhood,
and what a glorious sunset we saw Thanksgiving night!





As we were returning from our walk, Roger took a pic of Mindy and Jeff's lovely corner house.


That evening, while we enjoyed another piece of pumpkin pie and chatted together, Mindy and Jeff were having fun adult coloring the kids' Thanksgiving table cloth.


Addie got an early Christmas present - 
something she has yearned for for a long time - 
and her name is Adele!


The night after Thanksgiving, Rick, Jodie and kids came over for turkey soup. 
Jodie made and brought yummy homemade bread.
It was so fun for the cousins and all of us to be together!


I love this darling granddaughter!


We are so tickled to have Josh back home 
after his Hong Kong mission!



Blakey gave big hugs to us all before they left!


I love Thanksgiving 
and the way it causes me to focus in in greater detail 
about my many many blessings!