A new van for Mike

At the end of last summer, the AC went out on our van.  We decided that it was not worth putting money into it to fix it and vowed that before this summer came, we would get a new one.  The days have begun to get warm and we decided that it was time.  Mike's brother Steven's family, was down to one car, and have been having some financial troubles, so we asked him if he would like it.  

He was very happy to take it off our hands.  

Saturday morning, I got on KSL and found a couple of vans to check on. We headed out about 10:00 and by 11:00, drove home in our new van!  (It is actually a 2014, but only had 15,000 miles on it, so it's practically new.)   It had by far the lowest miles of any we had called on, so we decided it was the one for us!  We hope it will be a good one.

Hike in Bell Canyon

Friday afternoon, Jordan invited all of us to go on a hike up Bell Canyon.  It's only 7 minutes away from Krista's house, so it is not too far for any of us.  Libbie had a field trip with her Safety Patrol from school, and Emily had horse back riding lesson, and Mike isn't much for hiking on crazy rocky trails, but the rest of us went and had a great time!

Jamie's family

Krista's family 

Josh's family

Jordan's family

 

What a fun day!!!

Spring Break Sleepovers

We had been so busy, that we haven't had sleepovers with our grandkids since Christmas.  During Spring Break, we had 4 sleepovers.  First we had these cute kiddies.  We died Easter Eggs, had an Easter egg hunt, went to the library and park.

It was a beautiful day so they put on swim suits and played outside with squirt bottles.

Next we had these two goofballs.  They were super fun too!

They LOVE going to the park to play.

Then we had these cute girls, they decorated T-shirts.

and made green slime!

Our final sleepover was with these 3.

They also decorated T-shirts and they made some DELICIOUS soft pretzels!

Dad's Funeral

On March 24th, 2018, my dad passed away.  He fought a good fight and lived a great life.

Goff Mortuary

Me and My Wonderful Siblings

A few of my sweet granddaughters

Dad's funeral was beautiful.  All five of us kids gave a part of his life sketch, then the grandkids and great grandkids sang Families can be together forever.  After that, Chip, Charlie and Josh, gave talks on what Gramps taught them.  After that, Bliss Roberts spoke.  Then Gerry Graves sang Well Done, thou good and faithful servant.  The bishop gave a few remarks and then we closed by singing Love at Home.  There is a recording of it on Goff Mortuary's website.

Chad at Goff Mortuary offered us his new hearse to use, it was a beauty.  Dad took his last ride in style.  I'm sure he was pleased!

There was a military salute

Dad's surviving siblings

Us again.

After the cemetery, we went back to the church for a delicious ham, cheesy potatoes, rolls, salads and desserts.  They had decorated it so cute using the kites the kids had made as centerpieces.

I brought some helium balloons so the kids could write messages to dad.

Then we went outside of the church and sent them off.

                                                         

It was a beautiful funeral for a wonderful man!

I'll miss you every day dad!

Dad's Last Days

By the middle of March, it became obvious, that dad was not going to get better.  His last few weeks were filled with constant visitors from family and friends.

Chandler and Tesa brought tiny baby Rowen, 1 week old to meet dad.

Pierce and Adelaide came from California, and Robynn spent the last month of his life right at his side.  Dick also came from Texas

Skyler and Elinor came from Texas

Tatia and little Charlie came from Virginia

Chase and his sweet family came from Michigan

Dad's favorite nurse Brian came to say goodbye

Mike Brown stopped by almost every day for a visit

 

Bonnie and Dennis came from Arizona

Marie

Boyd and Deanne

Ila Fae

Josh cleaning his stitches

Jamie

Krista and Sophie

Me and Mike

There were COUNTLESS others who came for visits as well that I didn't get pictures of.

All of my siblings and I were able to spend his last few days and nights, at his side.  What a special time that was for us to be there as he left this world and joined our mom up in heaven.

We LOVE and will miss you fiercely Dad!!!