I left my heart in Flagstaff

I have never felt homesick for a PLACE like I have since leaving Flagstaff over 10 years ago. It is one of the most beautiful places on the planet, the place I'd love to live above all others. I got a chance to go there a few weeks ago with my college roommates to relive old times and enjoy lots of laughing and eating. We sure missed Rachel, but Tamara, Karlie & I had a great time.

Most important on our list of things to do was spend as much time as possible with little Ella. Karlie's new daughter is a miracle child and we all held and kissed her as much as possible.

We had no set schedule of things to do and Ella was just fine with that. She was a happy girl, slept like a trooper, and loved being held. Perfect!

My other favorite thing we did was walking around NAU campus and reliving "the good ol days." We started at Cline library where we looked up Tamara's thesis, then signed it. Tee hee hee!

We headed over the the Student Union and visited Louie the Lumberjack.

I saw our old dorm, Wilson. Karlie and I stayed there for our Freshman and Sophomore years, Rachel joined us there for her Freshman year.

We visited the Ed building, where I spent lots of time.

And I even got a chance to hug my favorite kind of tree, an Aspen. So beautiful!

We also got a chance to swing by the Institute Building, around which most of our social activities revolved.

And of course, the inside where the dances and activities were held... oh yeah, and church too!

I was so happy to see that my previous Bishop and his wife were there giving a fireside.

It was great to see them again, especially Bishop Peterson who really made a difference in my life, and I took the time to tell him so. In my "old" age, I've decided it's never good to let the opportunity go by when you have the chance to tell someone they're special to you.

We had a great time on campus. It was wonderful to be back there again.

We also got to go to church with Tamara & David. They teach a feisty group of CTR 5's and it was so much fun to see them teach. They were MADE to be parents!

We learned how to play "Squirrel in a Diaper" during class, a fantastical variation of hangman (and, quite frankly, the ONLY version I will play from now on!).

Now I really wish I had taken more pictures because ending on that one doesn't really sum up the beauty and relaxation of the weekend! You'll just have to take my word for it, it was nearly perfect, lacking only in Rachel's presence. Next year, all of us together in CA, got it?!