Happy 50th Anniversary Phoenix North Stake

Saturday was a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Phoenix North Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. SLK and I got to the celebration at the Sunnyslope building close to the starting time of 3 pm. It was a gorgeous day, 69* and very sunny and warm...not too warm but just-right-warm. As I was leaving the house the thought came to me, should I take my camera and I decided no, I wouldn't want to take pictures of the vintage cars on display - sorry Kent and Russell! The cars were impressive and I'll share more about one in particular later.

Almost as soon as I got there I saw an adorable gal and fellow blogger who I've known since she was just a girl. Nancy is now a beautiful wife and mother of 2 cutie kids. It was so fun to chat, see her kiddies and husband in person and I admitted to her that through her blog I feel I know her better than when she was growing up with my own precious kiddos. I could also have told her I admire her and feel rather close to her but didn't want to scare her. Sounds kind of psycho doesn't it. I was also so very pleased to see her parents Laurie and Pam who came down from UT for the event. Laurie was one of our dear stake presidents and that entire family was practically Jesse's second family-seriously. They are also blogger's and yes, I feel very connected to them through their family blog which I now no longer stalk but actually comment on occasionally when feeling brave. Later, if not mistaken, I think I caught of glimpse of Becky looking just beautiful but unfortunately I didn't get over for a visit. Would my gushing have scared her. I think I'm a little too enthusiastic at times but can't imagine chillin'.

We also got to see H. Burke Peterson and younger brother John Peterson who were both stake presidents of this illustrious stake of good people. Then we saw dear friend John Jenson who we were lead to by angels when we came down here to buy a house. Doug Baker was there and we had a nice but short visit. Then I heard that high school friend Tim Hoyt was there and since he missed this fun reunion I had to find him for a visit. He and his wife Chris were so fun and I just love reconnecting with friends.

We really enjoyed the historic displays, dinner and must admit to the joy of knowing and feeling grateful for so many great people we call friends. As we left we went by the vintage cars again and I saw a sight I recall from my childhood but never, ever thought I'd see again. I remember when I was a very young little girl our family having an evaporative cooler attached to the front, passenger car window. When I've told people about this memory no one else has ever heard of such a thing. Well, there was a car with just such a cooler attached to the car. I so wanted my camera to take a picture and then finally remembered my cell phone and took a picture with it. Now you can see it too - one of my good old days moments!

Here's a couple pictures of Kent and Noelene that Dori and I took last Christmas when we found them cruising around their neighborhood in their vintage car...I don't know what it is so I'll just call it a vintage car. I'm bad.

Now I'm wishing I snapped a little photo of fellow blogger's at this gathering with my cell phone camera but I blew it. All in all, a fun afternoon. Feeling blessed. P.S. I'm actually typing this on Saturday while the memories are fresh and will post tomorrow. In the background is the Paula Deen tv show where she and her husband are in Paris and London and I keep jumping up to get a close look at the sights and food. It's such a fun episode. The ending has me in tears. Her husband surprises her with a dinner on top of the Four Seasons restaurant/building overlooking Paris and she is so touched when around the corner her two sons and one daughter-in-law come and surprise her further. She is speechless and crying and I so completely can identify with this. Not that I've ever done the Paris scene but I would always want you with me there or anywhere. Loves.