March 2023

March 1st I got a call from Mrs. Shipman in the main office.  She asked me if I had lost Jesus.  I was really confused and she repeated the question.  When this still did not clear up the confusion she asked me if I knew where my phone was.  I told her I was going to assume that she had it.  Apparently, I had left my phone in one of the teacher bathrooms (not uncommon) and another teacher had turned it into the office because they did not know to whom it belonged.  I have a picture of Jesus as my "screen Savior" so I will make good choices while on my phone.  Most people have family pictures so it is easy to identify the owner of the phone.  The front office had a great time coming up with jokes about leaving Jesus in the bathroom until someone texted me and Jennifer Wolfe recognized the roadrunner me-meep.  It will be a while before I live this one down.

March 2-3rd Avian and I worked on completing the FBI and SBI forms for the background check in order to get their name change process started.  The forms aren't hard, but I was really nervous because I don't like filling out government forms.  I feel like there are certain parts that are just out there to mess you up.  We got them done and in the mail. That was a load off of my mind.  The rest of the process will be a piece of cake compared to this step of the process. 

Avian was invited to a volleyball expo in Greensboro in July.  They are really excited about it so we signed them up.  Any volleyball experiences between now and try outs for the school team will help increase skills and confidence.  Plus, Avian really has fun at these events.  

March 2nd was Read Across America Day.  Mrs. Perrotta arranged for several of the staff of pop into classes throughout the day and read to the kids.  I was lucky enough to spend time with the 7th grade.  It was a fun day.  It also reaffirmed to me that everyone loves to hear a good story.  

Me reading a gothic-style story to Ms. Killian's class.  The kids loved it. 

 March 4th Steve and Jeremy spent some time in the garage working on a wood project.  Steve was making a cutting board for the girlfriend of one of his previous scouts.  Jeremy had an idea for a cool gaming console and was bringing it to life.  Avian and I went to their final volleyball game of the season.  It was a tournament-style play where they would play each team a couple of times and the three teams with the most wins would play for the first position.  We had a great time.  The best part was that we were in the back court which had a view of the gym.  I took the picture below of Nick and texted it to him.  He was really confused for a moment until he looked up and saw me waving through the window.  It was fun!

He had no idea we were in the next room playing volleyball.  

This team had a rough time at the start, but by the end they were all friends and really enjoyed playing together.   

That evening I got a call from the Relief Society President and she needed some help packing one of our sister's apartments all packed up and ready to put in storage.  It was a Herculean task, but it is always fun to be there with other Church friends helping each other.  We made a good dent in the process.  

Cool pic of the moon over the trees at work.  I love the varying colors in the clouds as well.  

Wysteria grows wild here in the South and it makes for a stunning spring!

March 6th, Avian stayed after school for volleyball workouts.  They were in pairs, working with an 8 pound medicine ball, and Avian's partner wasn't paying close attention and dropped the 8 pound medicine ball on Avian's face.  Luckily, Avian moved quickly and averted what could have been a very bad injury.  

That evening, I was back at Barbara's house (aforementioned Church friend) to continue getting things organized.  This time I had the dream team (Eden and Blayke were there with me).   We took a load of boxed to the storage unit as we were running out of room in her small apartment.  Afterwards, we went to another member's house to get more boxes.  We laughed so hard while running these errands.  It was so much fun and we got a lot done as well.  

March 7th - Avian took the ACT during school which resulted in the day being a half day.  Steve and Avian both came to Barbara's house to help with the final push to get everything out of the apartment by the 6 pm deadline.  Four hours later, with the help of many hands and several trucks, we had filled the storage unit.  There was still a ton of stuff in the apartment and we were three hours past the deadline.  I was worried that Barbara was going to pass out because of exhaustion and the heat.  I was finally able to convince her to leave with the ride we had arranged to take her to her temporary home until her new assisted-living apartment was ready.  I went back into the apartment and grabbed a tea set that Barbara was particularly worried about and took it home to clean and properly box up for her.  There was not much anyone else could do.  All the men had done their best to get everything out of the apartment.  It was now up to the grandsons and their mother to get the rest of it out of there.  We just had to walk away.

March 9th Avian announced they needed some new shorts.  We went to Kohls to see what they had.  Avian picked out some really flattering shorts in several colors.  Steve and Jeremy did more woodworking in the garage.  Nick was at work (as usual).

March 11th I proctored the SAT.  Our coordinator called late the night before and was panicked because someone had cancelled at the last minute.  I was happy to help out.  It wasn't as bad as I remembered from the last time.  Probably because I had done it once before and it wasn't new anymore.  Also, everything is online for the set up and reporting which made the "paperwork" portion much easier.  

March 12th, I worked on getting my Dad pillows done for everyone.  Steve built a "house" for the archery target.  We can now just walk in the backyard, open the target up, practice for a bit, close the door and come inside.  So much better than trying to get the target from the garage to the backyard and back again.  

The doors open and the target is ready to go!!

March 16th I took the day off to get things done around the house.  I got four of the pillows done (the special order ones for my mom and sisters).  I got the rest of the pillow parts ready to assemble.  It shouldn't take long now.  I have found my rhythm.  . 

We also found out that Nick's friend is not going to purchase his old car.  Avian is now the happy driver of their own set of wheels.  No more relying on someone else to get from place to place.  

March 17th - Dad would have been 84 years old today.  I miss him.  I spent the day working on the pillows.  It was nice to feel like I was spending some time just with him.  I also helped Avian clean out Beatswalkin and get it up to their standard of clean.  We made a fun t-shirt for a friend's birthday and finished just in time for Avian to head to the party.  Nick came grocery shopping with me.  Jeremy was on campus hanging out with friends.  

I made this shirt for St. Patrick's Day.  I turned out better than I thought it would.

Percival, the St. Patrick's Day porch pelican

March 23rd we had a Relief Society dinner with the focus on celebrating our heritage.  Each of us brought a family recipe to share along with samples of the recipe for tasting.  I took my Grandma Hansen's Red Sauce.  Everything was so good, but I was especially delighted by one of the samples - Peanut Butter Balls!!  Karilee (my twin) brought them. It was a blast from the past.  Jenny and I used to make them all the time.  I was so nostalgic and had a couple (okay, more than a couple).  

This is a taste of my childhood right here!

March 24th Avian and I went to the evening performance of "Alice in Wonderland" at LNC.  A good friend, Ashley, was playing the white rabbit (the lead of the play).  WOW!!  they did such an amazing job!

Avian also found out they got a 30 (max of 36, I got a 21) on the ACT.  Way to go!

March 25th I FINISHED THE PILLOWS!!!!!

26 pillows - DONE!

Front - Dad loved the University of Utah and Coke

Back

Side - Jenny wanted the snaps from one of Dad's shirts on the her pillow.  Avian helped me some up with the idea to incorporate this into the design.  I love it.  

Percival the Easter Bunny porch pelican.  

The azaleas are really popping!

March 30th, I took a long lunch break to go and support the band at their MPA adjudication.  I thought they sounded great.  The pieces were a higher level than they usually play.  The judges gave them a score of 3 (1 being the best).  They were a little disappointed as they have always gotten a 1, but their songs were a lot harder and they had less time to prepare this year.  Next year we will get the coveted 1 again.  

March 31st I went to a cookie decorating class with a group of LNC teachers.  It was a blast learning how to make decorative cookies.  Pamela Heim-Donoghue is the best teacher.  Everyone's cookies turned out. I am going to be making more of these soon!

Yes, these are the cookies I made. 

My super fun classmates!

While I was at the class, Steve and kids went to the Silverbration at LNC celebrating 25 years!  Steve walked in the relay from 10-11 p.m.  It was a great day.  

The azaleas in the daylight.  I love how the light changes the color.  

February 2023

 

February 4th, Nick went running at Latta and was a good distance from his car when he REALLY rolled his ankle.  He had to hop most of the mile and a half back to his car.  I am amazed he could push on the clutch.  It was very swollen and bruised by the time he got home.  On the up side, he got his taxes done from the year and got a refund.  

Avian is playing the winter session at CJV and today was their first game.  Avian was nervous because they are playing setter and that is not their preferred position.  They did really well!  The team lost, but had a great time playing together.  After the game ended, they all stayed and just played for a bit.  

Avian and Sam - they have been playing CJV together for a year.  

Nick and Steve went to visit one of Nick's friends in the hospital and this was the picture on Steve's visitor pass.  It was too good to keep to ourselves.  

I made some homemade yogurt and Nick decided to label it for us so we would know what it was.  Life with three young adults in the house is never boring.  

February 10th we went to Outback for Nick's birthday.  His friends wanted to do something for him on his birthday so we adjusted our schedule.  Filet Mignon for your birthday dinner makes everything better!!

February 12th we opened all Nick's presents and celebrated with cake and ice cream at home.  

Exercise stuff and 

...headphones make a 21-year-old very happy. 

February 15th was the night Eden, Blayke and I were supposed to go out to dinner, but, as often happens with the Relief Society President, we were asked to help pack up one of our sisters who was moving in one week.  We went to her apartment and had a great time talking and joking and packing.  We ended up going to her house every night for the next week and we STILL didn't get everything packed.  I was amazed at how much she packed into that tiny apartment.  One night we went in search of boxes and dropped a load off at the storage unit.  It was an adventure-filled week.  I think it is safe to say that we were very glad when the deadline came (and went) and we got this sister out of her apartment and into the temporary situation until her new housing opened up.  

February 17th, Avian went to Rose Licastri's Valentine's party.  They all had a great time just reconnecting with everyone.  The Licastri's know how to throw a party!

February 18th we went to Iron Dish to have some Korean BBQ for Jeremy's birthday.  We had to wait for our table so we sat in the parking lot and watched people golf.  It was a fun night.  

February 19th we had volleyball games in the morning and then went to Cook Out to get birthday shakes for Jeremy's birthday.  I totally forgot to take pictures of opening presents for Jeremy's birthday.  I blame it on being distracted by the caramel cheesecake shake!

February 20th Steve and I went to the antique mall to look around.  He loves that kind of thing and I just wanted to spend time with him.  We had some interesting finds and laughed a lot. 

We bought this one to add to our beach decoration collection.  

Avian's picture was on display outside the art room for a couple of week.  So talented!

I spent a lot of time working on the pillows for my family.  It was therapeutic and felt like more time with Dad.  

The daffodils are starting to bloom.  Spring is on its way!

The moon, Venus and Jupiter all in a line.  It was really cool.  

February 22, Jeremy has spent a lot of time developing his Hypewriter.  It is a box that has all the buttons for playing video games.  He has several requests from his friends, so he is working on custom-builds right now.  

He has created a nice work bench area in his room.

The first-ever Hypewriter.  

February 22nd, Nick realized that his driver's license had expired and he needed it for work and to buy the car he wanted.  He and Steve went to the DMV first thing in the morning and were the last two walk-ins allowed for the morning.  They waited two hours before being called back and spent 10 minutes renewing his license.  He can now complete emissions and inspections as well as buy his car now.  

We spent the evening at the car dealership signing all the papers and Nick is now a car owner!  He is one happy kid.  It is a 2016 Mazda 3 with a manual transmission.  

February 24th the emissions light went on in the truck.  We got it in and found that it was a faulty sensor and wasn't as bad as we originally thought it might be.  Thank goodness!!

February 25th, Nick drove the Ford to work so we could help him get the new tires on his new car.  Steve left the volleyball game and took it in.  Four hours later he was done.  That is a long time for tires.  It makes me even more appreciative of Heath and Modern Nissan of Concord.  

Phew!  That was a busy month.  

January 2023

 January was suprisingly low-key.  It is probably due to the fact that we all were still mentally and emotionally recovering from our December and decided to say "no" to all of the extras.  If this tells you anything, I don't have any pictures for this month.  I know - WEIRD.

January 1, 2023 - Our church time moved to the Noon-2:00 slot which means nap time for a lot of the babies.  I got to hold Jack Moody and was in complete heaven.  He is the snuggliest little cutie.  Back at home we helped Nick move his room around to make room for his new desk/piano table.  We at leftover Chinese food and had a Zoom call with Mom and Laura.

January 2, 2023 -  Steve and I woke up to someone in the shower at 4 am.  We didn't think much of it because it feels like there is always someone up at our house.  After 15 minutes we went to check it out.  Steve went in first when we discovered it was Jeremy.  Steve urgently called me in.  Jeremy was laying in the shower and was unresponsive, only able to mumble a response to any questions.  He was covered in vomit and smelled of alcohol.  He couldn't stand up either.  Steve searched his room and found an empty bottle of Vodka.  Jeremy was able to confirm that he had consumed the whole bottle over the course of a couple of hours.  We immediately woke up Nick to carry Jeremy to the truck since Steve's shoulder was still too weak from the surgery.  I sat in the back seat with Jeremy's head in my lap.  It was the longest drive!!  At the emergency room, they would only let one of us go in with him.  We decided that Steve would go in with him and we would trade off.  I sat in the truck worrying about what could be going on.  Was this a reaction to the medication and the alcohol (seratonin syndrome)?  Was this alcohol poisoning?  I was so worried.  Steve sent me periodic updates.  They went through triage and were sitting in the waiting room.  Jeremy was still throwing up, which was a good sign.  After a couple of hours, Jeremy wanted me to come in.  Steve and I switched places.  I was so relieved to see that Jeremy was much more coherent and could sit up on his own.  He was crying and apologizing.  He was just so sad about Grandpa's death and he didn't know how to deal with it so got drunk.  All he wanted was to go home.  I went to the front desk and asked the receptionist what the procedure was to checking Jeremy out.  She talked with the triage nurse and gave me the legal jargon of 'if you leave you are doing it against medical advice" but then told me if the triage nurse was worried she would not let us leave.  Jeremy needed to sign a document that he was leaving of his own free will.  I called Steve to meet us at the door with the truck.  Jeremy tried to get up and walk and was still a little unsteady.  Back at home we let him sleep, but I woke him up every three hours to check his eyes and coherency.  Let's just say we had a long talk about alcohol and why it is not a good idea.  We also put down a rule that there will be no alcohol in the house and readdressed the issue of driving drunk equals not being on our insurance any more.  He agreed to everything and has stayed true to our agreement since (it is now almost May).

Later that day, Avian went to play miniature golf with her friends and then they came back to our house to play Wii for a bit.  Jeremy woke up and helped Steve put Nick's desk together.  

January 3rd was a day getting ready to go back to regular life.  Vacation was up.  We cleaned Jeremy's room and rearranged Nick's closet so all his stuff would fit.  I gave everyone haircuts.  I stepped on my glasses and Steve was nice enough to take them to the eye doctor the next day to get them fixed.  Steve also took Nick to IKEA to get some shelves for his room.  He is working on getting it set up  they way he wants it.  That night I was up until after midnight talking to Nick.  He has an upset stomach and could not get to sleep.  

If anyone tells you that your children get to a point where they don't need you anymore, they are either lying or misinformed.   

January 5th, the box of Dad's shirts arrived.  I opened the box and was immediately overwhelmed with the smell of my dad.  I found all the things in the box that I had picked out for Steve and the kids and then closed the box.  I cried off and on for another couple of days and finally found the strength to open the box and got through the shirts.  

January 7th I took all the Christmas decorations down.  I figured if I was already sad I should just get it all done.  

January 8th, Jeremy went down to the campus to find his classes and reconnect with friends.  He loves college and really missed being on campus.  

January 9th - Volleyball started up for Avian again.  Winter semester started at UNCC.  Steve went to PT and is doing really well.

January 10th - Avian has started to play volleyball with Alex O'Neal at the rec center and is loving it.  

January 11th - Avian was really excited to find out that Sam was on her team again.  Hopefully it will be a good season.  

January 13th - Steve and I had a date night.  We went into historic Kannapolis and found a great Mexican restaurant, Sabor.  The tacos were amazing.  We also found a puzzle store and spent some time picking out a really pretty on of a castle surrounded by fall foliage.   This was all killing time until the movie started at the Gem Theater.  We went to see "A Man Called Otto" starring Tom Hanks.  It was an incredible movie and I cried more than I normally would have because the character of Otto reminded me of Dad during certain scenes.  

January 14th - It was our week to help clean the church.  We ended up doing a lot of vacuum repair and not so much cleaning, but the cleaning happened a lot faster once the vacuums were repaired and functioning properly.  Back at home I went for a walk with Sandra and then helped Nick clean his room.  Avian worked on some paintings and Jeremy hung out with friends at school.  I finished the day by putting the finishing touches on my talk for the following day.  Steve's shoulder was really bothering him and so he spent time with ice on his shoulder. 

January 15th - I spoke in church and Sandra came to hear me.  It was amazing to look out in the congregation and see her and Steve smiling at me.  It calmed my nerves.  It was worth the look on people's faces when I said that we were going to talk about their big buts.  My talk was about making scripture study more a part of our days.  I had read an article by Hank Smith about reversing our buts and I loved the idea and used it as the basis for the talk.  I talked about all the excuses we use as to why we do not study our scriptures daily.  Example:  I need to study my scriptures, but I am too tired.  If you reverse the but is sounds like this I am too tired, but I need to study my scriptures.  I had a good time and several people in the congregation said it really caught their attention.  After all, how often we talk about buts in church?  I think we should do it more!

January 20th we had a Relief Society presidency and team dinner at my house.  Melissa Boone had commented on my New Year's picture of the Chinese food that we should do that for a Relief Society presidency meeting soon.  Well, your wish is my command.  It was a great night.  We really got to know each other.  Also, you know it was a Relief Society event because all the dishes were done by the time they left.   I love these ladies. 

January 21st - Steve is slowly getting his range of motion back.  He was so excited to get working with wood back in the garage and had a free day to do it.  He needed a wooden mallet for a project he was working on.  He discovered that they were ridiculously expensive and set out to make one for himself.  It turned out better than anything he could have purchased.  He is so talented.  

January 29th - bullet journal for the day says "Grateful for Mom!"  I didn't write anything else.  There are so many reasons I am grateful for Mom.  January 29th was a Sunday so I would have had a Zoom call with her and she is always the best listener and she gives solid advice and I always come away from a conversation with her feeling better and re-energized.  That is just a guess because I also bake bread on Sundays for the coming week and it was my mom who taught me how to make bread.  It could also be that she is so strong mentally and emotionally and is handling my Dad's death so well.  I am currently Zooming with Mom and told her all I wrote for the day and she pulled out her journal and told me why.  She helped me with my relationship with Jeremy and how to improve my communication with him.  I am grateful for such an example of journal keeping and so grateful for her relationship with Jeremy and how she just loves him and my other two so much.  She is a guiding force for good in their lives and I love her!

Dad's Funeral, December 23, 2022

David Weenig

(My mom wrote the most beautiful obituary for my dad)

Funeral Recording https://audio.funeralrecording.com/embed/47207d4a-8304-11ed-aa18-02b10d2864a9

I lost my best friend and soul mate on Saturday, December 17, 2022. We met at Onequa Elementary School in the 3rd grade and were married on April 15, 1960 in the Salt Lake Temple by Apostle LeGrand Richards.
Dave was born on March 17, 1939 in Salt Lake City to John Weenig and Edith Florence Papworth. He attended West High School, Class of 1957, and graduated from the University of Utah College of Pharmacy, Class of 1966.
The most beloved accomplishment of his life were his four daughters, his eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren with another little one coming in May 2023. He loved his sons-in-law and in fact he did not consider them as in-laws, they were his sons.
He practiced all areas of pharmacy from research to hospital pharmacy to community pharmacy and really loved those he worked with and those he served. He became a Preceptor and Adjunct Professor of Pharmacy Practice, served with pride on the U. of U. College of Pharmacy Admissions Committee as their Retail Community Representative, worked in the high school BiCep Program introducing students to the pharmacy profession and was named one of the outstanding pharmacists by The Older Adult Task Force of the Salt Lake Valley Drug Abuse Prevention Coalition.
Dave also served in the U.S. Army Reserve at Ft. Douglas Utah, 6th Army, Infantry, 84th Armored Division, Reconnaissance and attended the NCO Academy at Ft. Lawton, Washington. He was an Explorer Scout Leader, served on the Scouting Committee and other Church positions including Ward Clerk for many years and again related with and loved those with whom he served. He also served five years as a Church Service Missionary on Temple Square.
He loved being a beekeeper, collecting postal stamps, camping, hiking, fishing, gardening, reading, painting and the Shakespearean Festival.
He is survived by his wife, Carol J. H. Hansen Weenig, Laura and Mark Christensen, Kathy and Shaun Jackson, Sarah and Steve Cannon, Jenny and Chris Wykstra. Grandchildren, (Christensen) Nate & Kimber, Rachel & Justin Hill, Katie, (Jackson) Amanda & Sam Feree, David & Jalisa, (Cannon) Jeremy, Nicholas & Avian, (Wykstra) Morgan, Eric & Andrew with Katelyn Brunson and Harrison Sheranian joining our family. His precious great-grandchildren, BreElle, Waylon, George & Carol Jane Ferree, Adalyn & Isabelle Jackson and his newest little one, Ruby Rose Hill.
He is predeceased by his parents and two sisters, Joan Edith Weenig Kershaw and Dorothy Margaret Weenig Cunningham.
Funeral services will be held Friday, December 23, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at the Willow Grove Ward, 1945 West 9000 South, West Jordan, UT  84088.  A visitation will be held the day of the service at the church from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m.  Interment Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, Riverton, Utah.
Services will be streamed and can be access at 10:45 a.m. the day of the service by clicking on the following link.  https://www.facebook.com/CannonMortuary  .  This will take you to Cannon Mortuary’s Facebook page.  You do not need a Facebook account to watch the service.

Mom and I were up early on December 23rd.  We ate breakfast, got ourselves ready and headed over to the church to get everything set up.  Steve, the kids and I were given a few minutes to say good-bye to Dad/Grandpa before the viewing started.  It was so hard to see him lying there in the casket  

At the viewing it was so nice to see people I hadn't seen in such a long time.  A lot of childhood friends came - Pam (Fletcher) Larisch, Kim (Spek) Miller, Christy (Hermanson) Vuyk and Roger Buttars and his wife, Michelle. There were so many cousins as well.  Wade (Dad's favorite co-worker at the Dan's pharmacy) and Gwen (their favorite pharmacy assistant) were both there as well.  So many neighbors from Nantucket Drive - The Fletchers, Mayfields, Debbie Wretburg (representing her mom and dad who were too ill to come), Marlene Barth.  All of Mom and Dad's "club" friends who have been getting together since high school graduation.  

Kimber and Nate

Sam and the kids taking a break during the viewing.  

Mom picked out the flowers for the casket.  They were some of Dad's favorites - including English roses.  

My sisters and I picked out the flowers for this spray.  You cannot see it very well, but there is a fishing pole running through the middle of the arrangement.  Dad loved fishing and being in the out-of-doors.  

This beautiful arrangement was sent by my work.  It was at the foot of Dad's casket during the viewing and was taken to the graveside as well.  I am so glad that someone asked Laura who sent it and she noticed the card otherwise I would not have know to say thank you!

The guest book.  So many people came to pay their last respects.  

Dad's favorite painting shirt

Mom spent days collecting items to display that represented Dad.  It was an impressive collection that created a real picture of the man that my Dad was.  

Family was always so important to him. 

He loved the University of Utah, Southern Utah, painting and Coca-Cola.

His paintings were all so beautiful and of things he loved. 

There was a flag to represent Dad's military service.  

Dad had an impressive collection of mortar and pestles to represent his passion for pharmacy. 

Snow with the quaking aspens as a focal point of his painting

Dad's famous Beeble Berry story that Avian illustrated. 

This was the flower arrangement from the grandkids.  They used Grandpa's fishing basket.

Dad LOVED fishing

The funeral was a celebration of my Dad.  Each family got to share stories and memories of Dad/Grandpa.  There were many laughs and a lot of tears.  Jeremy summed it all up when he said, "Grandpa, you got so Christlike that you had to graduate!"  

All the grandsons helped lift the casket into the hearse.  

The grand-daughters were honorary pall bearers.  

Nate and David

They cannot stay serious for long.  

While they were loading the casket into the hearse I got to talk to Roger Butters.  He and Michelle were in town for their daughter's wedding.  They took time out of their busy schedule to come to the funeral.  it was so good to see him.  I also got to talk to Sharron (Steve's mom) for a tiny bit before the hearse started to pull out and I needed to follow it because I was driving Mom.  Nick came with us and was right there to get the door for Grandma and help her walk to the grave site.  

Nick helped Grandma get from the car to the grave site.  

Unloading the casket

The military was there to honor Dad

Mark said the dedicatory prayer.  It was perfect and very peaceful. After the dedication, one of the military men played taps on the bugle.  Mom started to cry and said that taps always makes her emotional.  They then folded the flag that was on top of the casket..

...and presented it to Mom. 

Each of the pall bearers then came and left their boutonnieres on the casket.  These grandkids loved their grandpa as much as he loved them.  It was sweet and hard to watch at the same time.  

Jalisa was behind the camera most of the time, but I caught this one of her capturing memories for Grandma.  

As sisters, we decided we wanted to honor Dad in our way by doing a Coke salute and telling Dad's favorite joke. Jenny handed out the Coke cans and I told the joke:

Patrick and Seamus were sitting in a pub one day.  Patrick looked at Seamus and said, "Seamus, when I die I want ye to buy a pint of the best Irish Whiskey and pour it on me grave." Seamus thought for a moment and then replied, "Aye, Patrick!  That I will do, but do mind if I run in through me kidneys first?" 

We love you Dad, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa

After the coke salute, Mom had asked that they play hers and Dad's song - "Look At Us" by Vince Gill.  Mom just sobbed during the song.  I had not seen her cry since I had arrived and suddenly this was all very real.  

Amanda and Jenny helped Mom back to the car.  

Laura had reserved the party room at Jim's Diner.  Mom had wanted everyone to come back to her house for food afterwards, but we talked her out of it.  We didn't want her to completely exhaust herself and the day was already packed with activities.  It was the perfect setting for Dad's funeral luncheon.  He liked to eat there and had taken us there for breakfast the last time we visited.  

The room was perfect and there was plenty of room for everyone.  

Dad would have LOVED Morgan's hat.  

Grandma and Amanda

The Cannon crew

Shaun and Kathy

BreElle, George and Waylan

Amanda, Carol and Sam

Morgan, Eric' fiance, Eric

Chris and Jenny

Harrison and Andrew

Adalyn and David

Jalisa and Isabelle

Mark and Rachel (Justin was home with baby Ruby)

Katie, Nate and Kimber

Shaun and Chris

Grandma with the Ferree gang before they left. 

After the luncheon, several of us went back to Mom's house to take care of the flowers.  We had dropped them off between the graveside and the luncheon.  We all got busy taking pictures of the arrangements so Mom could write thank you notes.  We also pulled the flower arrangements apart so we could dry the flowers and remember the day.  

Amanda and her family sent these to Grandma (and Grandpa) for Christmas.  The arrived a few days before the funeral.  

Mom picked all the flowers for this arrangement because they were Dad's favorites.  We wanted to help preserve these as much as we could for Mom.  It was a stunning arrangement.  

Katie making an arrangement to take home.  

We hung the flowers to dry in the bathroom.  

Laura took some home to dry at her house as well.  

Dad Memories from around the house

I spent a lot of time just walking around and taking pictures of all the things that I wanted to remember about Dad

His art corner

His fishing cabinet

His Trump dammit doll.  You can also see Snoopy down below and his University of Utah fan. 

Dad was known as the "duck whisperer" in his housing complex.  Read the following story to find out why.  

Dad's collection of old medicine bottles.  Growing up I had to dust these every week, but I loved it because they are so interesting.  

His work bench out in the garage.  I love the sticker in the upper right-hand corner - "Everyone is born right-handed.  Only the greatest overcome it."

West High School graduate

I LOVE that the last tape he was listening to in his tape player was Waylon and Willie

For the funeral, I created a slide show of picture memories.  My sisters sent me their pictures as well and I had to laugh because we all had the same idea about what pictures were meaningful to us.  Below are the pictures they sent me. 

This showed up in my Facebook feed a couple of days after the funeral.  It is my dad all in one picture

I love you, Dad, and will miss you!