My personal miracles came quickly as well. Libbie was the first of my children to arrive on the evening of the very next day. It was a shock to all of us when we got up Sat., April 30 to 5 inches of snow.
By Saturday evening both of our sons, Taylor from China and McKay from Pennsylvania had arrived also. I had just met with my siblings and Ann for the very spiritual experience of dressing our father in his temple robes and seeing him placed in his casket. We felt he looked natural and quite good. It helped us feel close to him and bring some closure. As we all parted, I headed to meet Steve, Libbie, Jen, Taylor, Will, and McKay for Chinese take out. Our family reunion was beginning.
After church Sunday morning, we headed to Mapleton for a family dinner prior to the viewing at the chapel. John Pace's children prepared a fantastic dinner which was served in Kelley's barn. It was truly delicious and good to visit with some family members who had come a great distance.Our great friends, the Vicchrilli's, drove over an hour to be the first to greet us at the chapel. We felt and appreciated their love and support.
We were thrilled that Karlin, Trevor, Brady, Baylee and Griffin came to honor their grandfather. I haven't seen them for several years. I was so grateful they came. It was glorious to me and a wonderful blessing to all of our family. I know my Dad was happy they came.
Many long time friends came to give us support - Sharon & L Jay Benson-childhood and college friends.
Steve K's family gives Ann their love and hugs.
Libbie and Cathy with Marilyn and Bob. Marilyn is my cousin.
Greg, Cousin Liz, Uncle Bill, me, Cousin Bill, Cousin Marilyn. It was so good to see them all. Uncle Bill is the only living spouse on my mother's side now.
Here are Liz, Bill Jr., and Bill with my kids, McKay, Libbie, Taylor and me.
Libbie and I share hugs with Aunt Coral, my dad's sister, and her daughter, Diane.
More pictures with my mother's family--this one includes some of my siblings and my cousin Vickie, Aunt Wanda's daughter.
Taylor, living in China; McKay in Pennsylvania; and Jon, Steve K's oldest son, living in New York. It's been a long time since they were together.
My dear friend and college roomie, Judy came to honor Dad and his "Lady in Red, Ann." She is battling cancer and this was an amazing effort on her part. Thanks, Judy.
Here the siblings and spouses gather around Ann to give her support after Sunday night's viewing. It was a joyful gathering of family and friends and we felt their sincere love and support. There were no lines so Dad would have been happy about that. There was a lot of laughter. It was not a somber occasion although there were tears. It was mostly a celebration of his life well lived.
McKay points out one of my dad's many gadgets. This one harnessed the garbage cans so they wouldn't blow over or away in the wind.
Monday morning started out with an early donut run to Banbury Cross by the brothers. It was awesome to have some fun interjected into our gathering. In fact it was perfect. We started loading ourselves and our stuff into cars for the trip to Idaho. One car started earlier as we went the longer route up through Logan and included some important stops along the way-- including lunch at the Bluebird Restaurant, one of my mother, Aloha's favorites, and a stop at Pepperidge Farms outlet for some Tim Tams.
Steve drove up as soon as Tiffany and Abigail arrived from Texas.
When we all arrived in Idaho, the cousins had a grand time playing together.
We were thrilled that Karlin, Trevor, Brady, Baylee and Griffin came to honor their grandfather. I haven't seen them for several years. I was so grateful they came. It was glorious to me and a wonderful blessing to all of our family. I know my Dad was happy they came.
Many long time friends came to give us support - Sharon & L Jay Benson-childhood and college friends.
Steve K's family gives Ann their love and hugs.
Libbie and Cathy with Marilyn and Bob. Marilyn is my cousin.
Greg, Cousin Liz, Uncle Bill, me, Cousin Bill, Cousin Marilyn. It was so good to see them all. Uncle Bill is the only living spouse on my mother's side now.
Here are Liz, Bill Jr., and Bill with my kids, McKay, Libbie, Taylor and me. 
Libbie and I share hugs with Aunt Coral, my dad's sister, and her daughter, Diane.
More pictures with my mother's family--this one includes some of my siblings and my cousin Vickie, Aunt Wanda's daughter.
Taylor, living in China; McKay in Pennsylvania; and Jon, Steve K's oldest son, living in New York. It's been a long time since they were together.
My dear friend and college roomie, Judy came to honor Dad and his "Lady in Red, Ann." She is battling cancer and this was an amazing effort on her part. Thanks, Judy.
Here the siblings and spouses gather around Ann to give her support after Sunday night's viewing. It was a joyful gathering of family and friends and we felt their sincere love and support. There were no lines so Dad would have been happy about that. There was a lot of laughter. It was not a somber occasion although there were tears. It was mostly a celebration of his life well lived.
McKay points out one of my dad's many gadgets. This one harnessed the garbage cans so they wouldn't blow over or away in the wind.
Monday morning started out with an early donut run to Banbury Cross by the brothers. It was awesome to have some fun interjected into our gathering. In fact it was perfect. We started loading ourselves and our stuff into cars for the trip to Idaho. One car started earlier as we went the longer route up through Logan and included some important stops along the way-- including lunch at the Bluebird Restaurant, one of my mother, Aloha's favorites, and a stop at Pepperidge Farms outlet for some Tim Tams.
Steve drove up as soon as Tiffany and Abigail arrived from Texas.
When we all arrived in Idaho, the cousins had a grand time playing together. I loved every minute of our few hours together with all of our children gathered around. We missed their spouses and kids, but it was truly a miracle to have all six of our children here for the funeral. I was humbled by this incredible blessing. I felt surrounded by love.
Jenna, Elsie, Anna and Abigail all help lead our family home evening song. Jantzen and Quinn look on. These were such precious moments.
We had a lot of laughs as we reminisced and joked about our foibles. We are good at laughing and and good at eating. It's the family way.
Kathy, Steve's sister, and her husband Brent brought goodies, flowers and their camera. They took some nice pictures of our family and added to the laughs for the evening. More blessings and support. Thanks!
Taylor, Liberty, Hilary, Kristen, Steve, McKay, Heather & Tiffany. We were weary from traveling but our smiles are genuine.
We added in the available spouses, Adam, Jen and Aaron for one more photo. No opportunity to get fixed up or color-coordinated so you see us just as we were at 10 p.m. after a long day of traveling.
We are felt good about the funeral and the opportunity to visit with so many Idaho friends. We were especially touched by the military tribute at the gravesight. Thanks to our military members for their continued service. You are the best!
Jackie's Relief Society sisters did a fabulous job of serving our large family group a delicious luncheon after the dedication of the grave.
Later that evening we enjoyed pizza provided by Heather's neighbors. That was awesome!
Steve left early the next morning before 6 a.m. to take Taylor back to Utah to catch his flight to China. Jen and Will went with them so they could spend those few more hours together. We left later that morning. Here the siblings go for a "brisk" walk. It was quite cold so they dressed warmly. Libbie said it reminded her of the Vermont shuffle she left behind when she moved to the sunny South.
We stopped to tour the new conference center on the BYU-Idaho campus. It is an amazing building designed as a smaller verson of the Conference Center in Salt Lake. We may have started a new family tradition with our stop off in Chubbuck at the Tastee Treet. At McKay's suggestion, we stopped at an "out of this world" space burger drive through because this family owned business peels it's potatoes fresh every morning for their French fries.
You may notice the construction behind Hilary. The dining area was closed since a young, unlicensed driver actually drove a car clear into the dining area just last week. We were limited to the drive through until the indoor dining can be replaced. It was well worth the experience. The space burgers were interesting, my regular burger was great, but the shakes were FABULOUS! And we all liked the fries--nothing like home made. We are usually up for a new family adventure especially if it includes good food.
Jenna, Elsie, Anna and Abigail all help lead our family home evening song. Jantzen and Quinn look on. These were such precious moments.
We had a lot of laughs as we reminisced and joked about our foibles. We are good at laughing and and good at eating. It's the family way.
Kathy, Steve's sister, and her husband Brent brought goodies, flowers and their camera. They took some nice pictures of our family and added to the laughs for the evening. More blessings and support. Thanks!
Taylor, Liberty, Hilary, Kristen, Steve, McKay, Heather & Tiffany. We were weary from traveling but our smiles are genuine.
We added in the available spouses, Adam, Jen and Aaron for one more photo. No opportunity to get fixed up or color-coordinated so you see us just as we were at 10 p.m. after a long day of traveling.
We are felt good about the funeral and the opportunity to visit with so many Idaho friends. We were especially touched by the military tribute at the gravesight. Thanks to our military members for their continued service. You are the best!
Jackie's Relief Society sisters did a fabulous job of serving our large family group a delicious luncheon after the dedication of the grave.
Later that evening we enjoyed pizza provided by Heather's neighbors. That was awesome!
Steve left early the next morning before 6 a.m. to take Taylor back to Utah to catch his flight to China. Jen and Will went with them so they could spend those few more hours together. We left later that morning. Here the siblings go for a "brisk" walk. It was quite cold so they dressed warmly. Libbie said it reminded her of the Vermont shuffle she left behind when she moved to the sunny South.
We stopped to tour the new conference center on the BYU-Idaho campus. It is an amazing building designed as a smaller verson of the Conference Center in Salt Lake. We may have started a new family tradition with our stop off in Chubbuck at the Tastee Treet. At McKay's suggestion, we stopped at an "out of this world" space burger drive through because this family owned business peels it's potatoes fresh every morning for their French fries.
You may notice the construction behind Hilary. The dining area was closed since a young, unlicensed driver actually drove a car clear into the dining area just last week. We were limited to the drive through until the indoor dining can be replaced. It was well worth the experience. The space burgers were interesting, my regular burger was great, but the shakes were FABULOUS! And we all liked the fries--nothing like home made. We are usually up for a new family adventure especially if it includes good food. 
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