Well were to start. I have to say this is by far one of the most memorable summers I have ever had. I will never forget it. It was a wonderful summer and a very tragic summer all rolled up in one. Let me explain.
First off, we started this summer with a bang. We took our family on one of my most favorite vacations that I have ever been on with them. This May, Dan and I decided to take the kids on a cruise. (And I am telling you if you want to go on a WONDERFUL family vacation take your family on a cruise.) It was Amazing! But we also decided that a cruise was just not enough! We also went to Disneyland before we set sail. That of course was icing on the cake. Noah and Ryanne still talk about how this trip was the best trip we have ever been on. We Had lots of fun in Disneyland and even wore matching shirts (I forgot to take a picture of all of us together. Bummer!)
and that made Disneyland all the more fun. Then we set sail to the Mexican Rivera, on one of Royal Caribbean biggest ships the 'Mariner of the sea'. (And I mean it was huge!)
They had Ice skating (that was one of Dan and the kids favorite activities on the boat),
swimming, scrapbooking (That was lots of fun!)
and even a club house area that our kids got to meet other kids and do fun activities. Every time we would go pick them up from the club house, to spend some family time together they would be upset, because we were interrupting some fun activity. Noah loved it and would ask "Can I go to school now?" (that is what he called it)
The shore excursions were even more fun. We swam with dolphins in Puerto Vallarta,
and went on a pirate ship and went snorkeling in Cabo San Lucas. (that was my favorite excretion)
and in Mazatlan went to a privet beach were they had lots of activities like boogie boarding and horse back riding. It was lots of fun.
The trip was a trip of a lifetime and something my family will never forget.
swimming, scrapbooking (That was lots of fun!)
The shore excursions were even more fun. We swam with dolphins in Puerto Vallarta,
and went on a pirate ship and went snorkeling in Cabo San Lucas. (that was my favorite excretion)
After we got home we had birthday after birthday to celebrate. First was Ryanne's birthday on July 1st. She is now a big 11 years old and I can't believe it! we had a swimming party (like we always seem to do, because my mom and dad have a great pool to use, and it,s FREE!!!)
She had a great birthday! I just love her so much! She is such a great helper and loves life. She is Beautiful!
Next was Noah's Birthday on the 24th of July he is now 9 years old. I can't believe how handsome he is getting. He wanted to go to the parade. (We have never been to the Pioneer day parade because we always do what Noah wants for his birthday) So this year we went and well it was just ok. It was hot and we were right in the sun. (We ended up leaving early but that was ok with Noah, I think he was a little board)
then we had another swimming party. It was nice. We also had a firework show and of course Noah loved that. It was lots of fun. He is getting so big and is such a sweet boy. He is so loving and kind and such a great big brother!
And then it was Austin's turn to have his birthday on Aug 12th. He is now 6 years old and such a fun guy. He loves his baby sister and will talk your ear off if you will just sit and listen. He loves life and is such a great boy! This time instead of a swimming party we went camping.
That was fun because we went with some good friends of ours, The Hatch family and that was lots of fun. We camped at Plymouth Hot springs and I had never been there. It was fun to go somewhere new and spend time with family and friends. We also took a day trip up to Bear Lake and played on the water. That was my favorite part of the trip.
I love Bear Lake and I love my Austin!
Also Dan and I just celebrated our 12th Anniversary.
I love that guy and wonder how life would be with out him. He is such a great dad and loves our kids so much. If you run into him at work or at church he will whip out his pocket full of pictures and brag about how cute his kids are. It is so cute! I love it. He also treats me like a princes and takes such good care of me. He is always thinking about me and how he makes me fill. My dad hates that sometimes, because he makes him look bad. Dan is always bringing me flowers and gifts and my Mom complains that Dad needs to fallow Dan's example. He is such a hard worker and loves his job. He loves taking care of his little family. I just had to let Dan know that I love him so much and am so glad that I said "Yes!" 12 years ago. Love you forever Dan.
Now we get to the not so great part of my summer and the other part that I will never forget. We lost my Grandpa Bill to complications of Alzheimer's this summer.
It was kind of unexpected but not at the same time. He had been going down hill for awhile but we thought he would be here at least until Christmas. but that is not what was in Gods plan. He woke up one morning and spent his morning having breakfast with his sweetheart, Grandma Bernice and then started not filling so good and by the afternoon he had past away, holding her hand. I had the privilege of being their by his side when he passed and I am so grateful that I was blessed to spend his last moments with him. He was a Wonderful man and was loved by many. He was the life of the party and loved Christmas very much. He got my family addicted to vacationing and even had a saying to go with it. He would always say "You can't take 'things' with you when you die. All you can take with you is your memories, so make the best of them and spend it with your family!" And he lived by that modo. He traveled all over the world, he said that he had visited every country exapt for Red China and Russia. He loved my Grandma Bernice very very much and took good care of her. My Grandma counted in one day how many times he said he loved her, and it was over 100 times. And he made sure that you were being treated right by your spouse. He would always ask Dan how he was treating me and making sure he was a good husband and dad. He also love Heavenly Father very much and served as a bishop for many years. They use to call him the hugging Bishop because you could not get by him with out a hug. One thing I will miss is on our weekly visits he would say the most beautiful heart felt prayers, even with his Alzheimer's you would never know that he had a memory problem because they were perfect. I could go on and on about all the wonderful things that my Grandpa did.
It was kind of unexpected but not at the same time. He had been going down hill for awhile but we thought he would be here at least until Christmas. but that is not what was in Gods plan. He woke up one morning and spent his morning having breakfast with his sweetheart, Grandma Bernice and then started not filling so good and by the afternoon he had past away, holding her hand. I had the privilege of being their by his side when he passed and I am so grateful that I was blessed to spend his last moments with him. He was a Wonderful man and was loved by many. He was the life of the party and loved Christmas very much. He got my family addicted to vacationing and even had a saying to go with it. He would always say "You can't take 'things' with you when you die. All you can take with you is your memories, so make the best of them and spend it with your family!" And he lived by that modo. He traveled all over the world, he said that he had visited every country exapt for Red China and Russia. He loved my Grandma Bernice very very much and took good care of her. My Grandma counted in one day how many times he said he loved her, and it was over 100 times. And he made sure that you were being treated right by your spouse. He would always ask Dan how he was treating me and making sure he was a good husband and dad. He also love Heavenly Father very much and served as a bishop for many years. They use to call him the hugging Bishop because you could not get by him with out a hug. One thing I will miss is on our weekly visits he would say the most beautiful heart felt prayers, even with his Alzheimer's you would never know that he had a memory problem because they were perfect. I could go on and on about all the wonderful things that my Grandpa did.
We also had another tragedy just over a week ago. I just came back from one of the most devastating events in my family. My cousin Amy's husband Kyle was killed just over a week ago, and we got back a few days ago from his funeral.
Amy and Kyle are so young and have 2 beautiful children. Maggy, 2 yr. old and Joshua 2 months old.
Kyle was stabbed to death by a man that was upset he was loosing a pool game. They still have not caught the guy who did this. Amy is only 21 yrs. old and is now a widow with two small children. The night we got the call from my aunt Kathy I thought that my Grandma Thora (who is living with them) had past away. But we were shocked to here that it was Kyle instead. It is so deviating to have news like this when he was so young and so full of life. The funeral was beautiful and they did some wonderful things. Amy and Kyle lived on a large pice of property in Colorado so it was fitting to have him buried there. His dad, brothers and friends dug his grave and set the vault and we were there to help berry him. I don't know what it is but it was wonderful to do this last act of kindness for your loved one. I wish we could have done this for Sharyn, to dig her resting place and physically place her there. It was kind of hilling in some sort of way. You could see pride in Kyle's fathers eyes when they were done. To work so hard for your loved one. I am so upset and can't help crying for Amy. I can't emagen what it would be like for her, to not have your husband and have such small children. I also fill so bad for her kids. They wont really know there dad. I am sure Amy will talk about Kyle all the time so they can remember there father, but it wont fill the hole in there hearts. I am so sorry Amy for your loss and I want you to know that you are in our prayers.
I know Heavenly Father loves you and your family and he is watching over you. And I know Kyle is being taken care. My heart aches of you, and I know there is nothing I can say to make this time easier, but all I can say is I love you, and You are in our prayers.
Kyle was stabbed to death by a man that was upset he was loosing a pool game. They still have not caught the guy who did this. Amy is only 21 yrs. old and is now a widow with two small children. The night we got the call from my aunt Kathy I thought that my Grandma Thora (who is living with them) had past away. But we were shocked to here that it was Kyle instead. It is so deviating to have news like this when he was so young and so full of life. The funeral was beautiful and they did some wonderful things. Amy and Kyle lived on a large pice of property in Colorado so it was fitting to have him buried there. His dad, brothers and friends dug his grave and set the vault and we were there to help berry him. I don't know what it is but it was wonderful to do this last act of kindness for your loved one. I wish we could have done this for Sharyn, to dig her resting place and physically place her there. It was kind of hilling in some sort of way. You could see pride in Kyle's fathers eyes when they were done. To work so hard for your loved one. I am so upset and can't help crying for Amy. I can't emagen what it would be like for her, to not have your husband and have such small children. I also fill so bad for her kids. They wont really know there dad. I am sure Amy will talk about Kyle all the time so they can remember there father, but it wont fill the hole in there hearts. I am so sorry Amy for your loss and I want you to know that you are in our prayers.
So as I have said before this summer has been the most wonderful summer and the most tragic I have ever had. I will never forget the summer of 2010 and I don't want to forget it. It makes me appreciate my family even more and make each moment I spend with them even more precious.
I love my family and am so grateful for them. They are such a blessing.
