Reunion in Logan

On our last day in Utah we went to Logan Utah for a Family reunion. The picture people are Frank and Caroline Evans. Dan's mom's grandparents. The children are well....a bunch of her grandchildren. It was great to be there for this and be able to learn a bit about the family history. The Family reunion was held very near where my brother Mike lives. He is going to school in Logan Utah so we were also able to visit him and see his cool house and walk to the Logan Temple.

We enjoyed the little bit of sun the day had to offer and then we headed back to the valley to pack up and enjoy one more big family meal before we headed back to Utah bright and early the next morning!

A farther drive?

Its a drive of about 1hr-1 hr 45 min. for me to drive from my home to the Mesa Temple. yet I always find it easier some how to drive 10 hours to Utah and pick one of the many Temples that are with 15 minutes of the Strode's home in PG.
This time it was the Provo Temple.
Beautifuly nestled in the mountains, Peaceful and relaxing.
I always enjoy going, mostly because I have never been to a Temple without feeling like My Father in Heaven meets me there. I feel stronger and closer to Him, I feel a clearer mind and at complete peace no matter what is going on.
It is a great feeling and a wonderful place to go!

THE BEST tacos in the WORLD!!!

I have been to many many mexican resteraunts, in many places, California, Arizona, and even in Mexico. Lots of yummy salsas, great encheladas! Without a doubt the best place to get a taco-by far...is El Azteca in Provo, or Orem, UT.

Crazy I know...but very true!

Dan's family has been eating at this great family owned place for more than 40 years.

Generations have enjoyed this place and still love it. It is a tradition that when we come into town we take a trip at least once over to get some yummy food.

Every once and I while I will order somthing other than a taco,I will enjoy it a great deal but I will always think to my self...."I should have had a taco!"

Dan realy likes the nachos and Seth falls right in line with his Dad. The girls and I are all on the taco boat!

MMMMMMMM!!!!

Predictably P.G. & Positively Provo!

So Monday was rainy and cold. We were not prepared for 50 degree weather at all. A fast run to Old Navy to buy sweat shirts was required. Then we ran Logan and Tori to BYU for EFY.

(Especialy for youth) Seth and Paige and I visited the BYU book store and got Seth a sweat shirt. The other item we had to pick up there was a set of scriptures for Tori...yes true to form she went to a church camp with out her scriptures.

Then our little cold ridden bodies were craving some lunch and a nap. We let Paige choose since she hadn't gotten to on her birthday.

She chose a Pleasnt grove classic, in fact most people in Utah only know PG for this resteraunt...

PURPLE TURTLE!

Yummy fried food and great milk shakes.

Home for a nap at Grandmas house.....oh naps, vacations, rainy days....MMMMMM-so nice!

The Drive

The drive would have been amazing with all the different views- no it was amazing with all the views, what wasn't so amazing was the puking Paige in the back seat.
She was up at 5 am sick and by 9am she seemed fine, so we headed out.."Better late than never"
no, never might have been better for poor Paige and on her birthday....poor kid!

We tried to enjoy it the best we could. The beautiful red rock canyons of Arizona and snow capped mountians of Utah.

We arrived a little worse for the wear and not feeling 100% human, but it was an adventure- thats what our goal always is so.....goal accomplished!

(A picture of Paige in Page Arizona- she later tossed those cookies..or ice creams)

Last Day of School

Paige's last day of school just so happened to be the day before her real birthday. What a great birthday...start summer!
Normaly I dont think I would have much to say about it other than it was fun to bring in gummy worm encrusted doughnuts. However this has been a very special year for Paige. She was stuggling SOO much at the begining of the year that we were worried she wouldnt make it out of third grade this year. She is not only at grade level now, but on honorroll!
I need to mention that it was due to one amamzing teacher who went above and beyond the call of duty!
Way to go Paige and Mrs. Laura Coughlin!

We all scream for the last day of school!

As is tradition in the Strode home......Ice cream for breakfast on the last day of school!

Arizona Storms

I love Arizona storms. I do not know exactly why. Maybe because they dont happen too often? Maybe because I grew up alot here and they bring back memories of riding my bike on a flooded street and the excitment of getting all wet. A lot of Arizona storms are electrical and they put a great smell in the air, even if theres no lighting the smell of the usualy dry dirt that becomes all of a sudden wet is in the air. Theres also this illusion that the sun is hanging out with us closer to the earth than the clouds and casts an up light on things it usualy shines down on.

I know for sure I love the rainbows. While rain is uncommon in Arizona its even more uncommon for it to be dreary and sunless so even in a storm there is sun. Rain and sun bring the most beautiful light show. The miracal of how the rain and sun can creat a giant arc of color is amazing and beautiful.

Yes, thats why I love an Arizona storm.

Three nights of talent

Piano Recital held at the Strode home-

Mrs. Couglins 3rd grade class singing a song about the goverment for the school talent show (they likened it unto a 3 ring circus!)

Seth's last Band concert of the year- great job banging those drumbs Seth!

So of course I know I have talented kids but my goodness three nights this week we were watching them do thier thing.

They all did so well. Seth has gotten so good at his instrument, heck I don't even play one never mind 2!

Paige and Tori not only do great, they just love to perform! They are all growing so smart and talented. We couldnt be more proud!

International Thespian Society

My mini me has enjoyed theater as much as I did at her age, if not more. She has put in enough hours in her freshman year to earn induction into the international Thespian Society.
Congrats Tori !
This is Tori and her friends leaving for the ceramony.

"I want CANDY!"

Since she was very young Paige has been a candy freek! She has had hidden stash's, and to needs multipul pieces in a day to feel her self. You might say shes an addict. So no one was surprised when she said she wanted a candy themed birthday party. In order to have a candy themed party you have to have a lot of candy. Lucky for Paige her birthday comes right after 2 major candy holidays. We Stock piled for the "Candy Buffet" Paige had asked for and wow! We had a lot of candy and the kids ate thier fill!

We did have some hot dogs to wash down all the sugar. It was great that Daddy was able to come and play. He was the life guard/hot dog griller!

There was no way we could let them just eat all that candy so we made little candy houses. Also, as any good parents know you can't have all that sugar without a way to run it off. Swimming and sliding kept them running for hours on end!

What did we do with all of the left over candy? Well the cute tins (Thanks Kara) were filled by each child with any and all of the candy they could stuff in. We still had left overs, but they did a great job downing all that sugar!

It was a super fun party with not too much stress or worries. The decorations were fun and Paige had a great day!

Happy 9th year Paige!

Love you- Mom & Dad