Art Hardy's Funeral

Matt's dad's funeral was today. I met my dad there and we were going to sit together. We walked to our regular spot from the old days when someone whispered in my dad's ear. Next thing I know, he's sitting on the stand. I guess they had all of Art Hardy's bishops who were there sit on the stand. Art's funeral was sweet. Matt said a few words and did a great job.

???, Hal Romrell, Schut (?), Phil Leatherwood, Dad, Paul Nighbur, Joe Miller, Leigh Gunnell

Fingernail

This morning I went to Nothing Bundt Cakes to buy a cake for the Mortensen funeral.  I signed up to bring a dessert, but realized I had no time to make one.  Stockton and I went early.  We dropped off the cake and then met in the primary room for choir practice.  We sang in the choir at the funeral.  When we came home, Matt was here with his family.  Anne wanted her nails painted.  This time she wanted to do some of it by herself.  Anne has been begging Stockton for months to paint his nails so they can be 'matching'.  Anne talked Stockton into letting her paint one nail.  She spent a lot of time painting it with clear polish, so no big deal.  She must have put thirty coats on it.

Stockton and Anne

Anne then wanted to stamp Stockton's nail.  She picked bright red polish.  Stockton's clear fingernail now turned into a bright red one. Anne was so happy.

Mike and I went to the ward Christmas party tonight.  It was only for the adults.  We were supposed to bring cookies to exchange.  Luckily I put 'make cookies for mom and dad's party tonight' on Jorja's chore list.  Mike, Preston and I were playing a game of Pandemic before we left.  It made us a little bit late.  There were tons of tables set up and it was hard to figure out where to sit.  Some chairs were leaning against the tables.  We wondered if that meant they were taken, or if the chairs not leaning against the tables were taken.  We finally decided that the chairs leaning against the table were not taken.  We picked two at a random table and sat down.  We were only there for a few minutes when someone came and said we were in their seat.  It was pretty awkward.  Leanne Perry saw the exchange and grabbed us to sit at their table.  That was really nice.  We were at the table with the Perrys, the Parks and the Larsens.  (Ange knows Brother Larsen.  He delivered all of her babies!)  Anyway, we had a great time.  The food was really good. Even though it was awkward, we were happy we ended up on the table we did.  The other three couples at the table are all empty nesters.  It's fun to listen to them.  The Perrys just got back from Thailand.  Sister Perry was my visiting teacher before they left on their mission to Vietnam.  Mike and I were the babies at the table.  I liked that.

Nigel's Funeral

We went up to Bountiful this morning for Nigel's funeral.  We got there about an hour before it started so we could see Brett and his family as long as possible.  My kids watched other kids in the nursery during the funeral.  Rachel spoke.  She did a really good job.  That would not be a fun thing to do.  I went and got Grace, Eve and Thora during the song so their parents wouldn't have to look for them when it was time to follow the casket outside.  (Thora is Rachel's niece.)  Jorja helped me bring the girls to Brett & Rachel.  They looked so cute walking down the hall I had to stop and take a picture.  I was holding Thora and Jorja had the other girls.  Eve wouldn't let anyone but Jorja hold her.  I gave Jorja my necklace when I gave her Eve.  Eve had been playing with it and she continued playing with it when it was on Jorja.  Jorja tried giving the necklace to Stockton, but that didn't work. (Maysen held a little boy named Gus for a long time.  He was asleep on her when I came to get these girls.)

Grace, Eve, Jorja, Anne

 Eve & Jorja

 Grace & Anne

Stockton drove us up to Bountiful.  He then drove us to OHOP in Fort Union.  I guess he was really hungry.  He snatched a pancake off of another table while we were waiting for our food.

Stockton

I left my phone on the table while I went to the restroom.  I was left with many, many pictures.  There was a little girl (probably younger than Anne and Grace) that was in the bathroom.  She was pulling at the door wanting to get in the stall her mom was in.  I could hear her mom say, "Mommy's going potty.  Just a minute."  All of the sudden the stall opened and I could see the mom sitting on the toilet.  I waved and said 'Hi' because I wasn't sure what to do.  She got her daughter in the stall with her.  A few minutes later the door flung open while the mom was pulling up her pants.

Stockton & Jorja

 Preston, Stockton, Jorja

 Maysen, Mike, Stockton, Jorja

Grandpa Parry's Funeral

I woke up pretty early and went inside Grandpa's house.  I turned on a light to find Mike (my brother) sleeping on the couch.  Whoops.  I had a book, so I read for awhile in the piano room.  Later I found a history my grandma had put together that was fascinating.  For example, I had asked my Grandma where the name Larkin came from.  She couldn't remember.  She said she wished she would have asked.  In the family history Grandma had put together years ago it said that Larkin in Harriett Larkin Borrowman came from her father's favorite niece that had died young.  I couldn't believe it!  I had wished I knew where Larkin came from for so long.  I looked up on family search and found that Harriett's dad, William Park Borrowman was the youngest in his family.  The oldest was his sister Jane Duncan Borrowman who was married to Thomas Vickers.  Their second child was a girl who was named Jane Larkin Vickers.  She was almost five years old when she died.  She was born on January 1st and died on my birthday, December 27th.  William Borrowman was 29 years old when she died.  He married Susannah West Wheeler almost 4 years later when he was 33 years old.  His first girl was named Harriett Larkin.  I wonder where Jane Larkin got her name from.  I wonder if she went by Jane or Larkin.  Sweet little girl has many people named after her.  Many amazing people.

Okay, enough rambling.  We headed over to the church around 10:30. There was a viewing and family prayer before the service.  I helped several of my cousins carry the flowers into the chapel.  I snapped a picture of this arrangement.  Look at the cool golf balls!

Maysen and I rode with Mike, Brett and Grace to the cemetery.  It was raining and the sky was gloomy.  Grace was out by the time we got to the cemetery.  Brett left her asleep in the car and kept checking on her. She slept the entire time.  We decided to go look at Uncle George's grave before we left.  Brett checked on Grace before we walked there. Totally asleep.  We walked there and back, it probably took five minutes.  Grace was crying when we got back.  Poor little girl.

Grace

My grandpa was buried with full military honors.  He certainly deserved it.

 Frank, John, Dad, Terry

Mark, Brad, Steve, Glade

 Shots for my Grandpa

My cousin Larkin's daughter Rennie didn't like this at all!

Whoops.  Looks like I accidentally put a picture of Taylor opening his mission call instead of the soldiers folding Grandpa's flag.  I should really label my photos so they don't end up having the same numbers.

Taylor, Melissa, Nova, Aimee

 Taylor is serving in Argentina right now

 Uncle John and Aunt Jackie being presented the flag.

 My dad putting his flower on the casket.

 Glade putting his flower on the casket.

 Mike photobombing

Together again

It rained all during the family prayer and the presentations, but cleared up enough for pictures.

Mike & Maysen

 Preston

 Stephanie & Preston

 Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren

Robert, Rozie, Chad, Katie, Devin, Camille
Savannah (pretending she's short) Jake, Jordyn, Heather
Stephanie, Jeff, Terry, Brooke, David, Lauren

I think Jackson's head, Nathan, Courtney, Justin, Markell
Mike, Matt, Bubs' head, John, Brett, Paul

Sharon wanted to gather individual families for pictures.  Too bad Bubs' kids were having a melt down and others were scattered around. Oh well, we did the best we could.

Cassie & Brandon, John, Lincoln, Stephanie, John, Mike, Preston

Stockton, Brett, Jorja, Anne, Dad, Matt, Bubs, Millie, Sam

 Mallory is in this one

Rozie wanted a picture with the original nine granddaughters.  Tammi had already left, so there is only eight of us.  Grandpa had 28 grandchildren.  19 boys and 9 girls.  We were a bit outnumbered.

Brooke, Jordyn, Markell, Heather

Lauren, Rozie, Courtney, Stephanie

 Courtney & Stephanie

Back at the church we had delicious ham, potatoes, rolls, salad and cake.  The Relief Society had a lot of people to feed!  I sat by Brooke and Cassie, so great to talk with both of them.

Brandon & Grace had a great time together

 Trevor came and joined them

 Trevor

I asked Justin to take a picture of me and my brothers.  He and Sharon left me several selfies.  Awesome.

Justin

 Justin & Sharon

 Mike, Bubs, Matt, Stephanie, Brett, John

Preston has a snaggletooth.  It was loose a couple of months ago, but when his new tooth started coming in it wedged his tooth in there instead of pushing the tooth out.  Strangely this is just what our dentist warned us would happen.  Sometimes when Preston smiles his tooth sticks out of his mouth.  I wasn't sure what to do about it, so as Mike was getting in his car I showed it to him.  Mike asked Preston if he could pull it out.  Preston let him.  This tooth was in there tight, but he got it out.

Mike & Preston

 Starting to get uncomfortable

 Very uncomfortable

 Hurts!

Mike got it out!  He gave Preston $5 for being so brave.  Mike said he has done that a couple of times before and Preston is the only one who didn't cry.  It was pretty stuck in there, I didn't think he could do it.  I should never doubt Mike.

Preston

 Dad & Mike

Mike had to catch a plane in Salt Lake at 8:00.  Wish he could have stayed longer.  It was awesome he could make it.  Christen is in Las Vegas with her family.  Her sister just came home from her mission this week.  They had a baptism today and her sister's mission homecoming is tomorrow.  Mike is flying into Vegas to make it to that.  I'm glad he was able to squeeze this in because I know Christen has been planning that trip to Vegas for a long time now!  Bubs had to leave early too, but my dad and the rest of my brothers gave Mike a good-bye squeeze.

Brett, Dad, Matt, Mike, Stephanie, John

 Trevor wanted to join us

The best part of the day was when the sky cleared up and we had a family softball game.  Grandpa would have loved that!  It was so much fun, even though I haven't played in years and it showed.  I wish Mike and Bubs could have played with us.  Brett was up first and hit a home run.

Brett

 Brett & Savannah

 Jordyn & Savannah

 Matt wearing Grandpa's hat

 Brooke

Savannah, Justin, Devin, Maysen sitting down

I was proud of Stockton.  He played the entire time, even though he doesn't really play softball at all.  It would be intimidating to play with my brothers and cousins who are so good!

Stockton

 John, Paul, Stockton

 Fun! Fun! Fun!

 Mallory loves to dress like Dorothy

I left a few minutes early with my kids and headed back to Grandma's house.  We needed to leave soon and Jackie said it would be okay if my kids each took something to remember Grandma & Grandpa.  We asked about everything, just in case.  Maysen found the dancing Santa. Stockton wanted the golf hole he would play with when he came.  Jorja picked out a little cardinal figurine and Preston wanted a gigantic gingerbread cookie jar.  When I asked if Preston could have it Jackie laughed and said, "Please!"  As we were driving away, Maysen regretted not getting the cardinal pillow.  I called Matt and asked if he could bring it to her.  I gathered a few things.  Suitcases, ours are ruined. Casserole dishes and the Santas I made Grandma years ago.  Brooke and I were discussing who should take Grandma's china.  We both would love it, but both agreed that it would work better for Brooke to have it.  If I knew I had a place to store it and could keep it safe I would have loved it.  I did take the Work and the Glory series that Grandma had.  I am missing a couple of books.  I just ordered Book 1 right before our trip.

I wanted to get a picture of my family on this bench.  So many memories of my Grandma sitting here!  We were anxious to leave, so I just grabbed my kids as they walked by.  We are taking Brett & Grace to the airport and don't want them to miss their flight!

Maysen

 Jorja & Maysen

 Preston

 Stephanie & Preston

 Stockton

 Mike & Stockton

My dad went home with Cathy and we took Brett, Grace and Max with us.  This isn't a great picture, but it was so cute to see Grace sitting there with the big kids.

Max, Preston, Grace, Jorja

 Jorja and Grace watching Blue's Clues in the bottom bunk

 Max, Grace, Preston

We got to the airport at exactly the right time.  I sure wish we could have had Brett stay longer.  Amazing that he was able to come at all with a brand new baby at home.  Luckily Rachel's mom is with them right now.  I know Brett is anxious to get back to her.  Grace slept for most of the way home.  Hopefully she'll sleep on the plane too!  Taking a red eye with a toddler could be interesting.

Brett & Grace, Mike

 Brett & Grace

We dropped Max off at my dad's and then got home a few minutes before midnight.  I'm excited to be home and excited to sleep in my own bed!  This is the Instagram post Mike shared with the caption: "3 weeks, 26 states, 7,100+ miles.  Wonderful trip - glad to be home!"