Addison's Farewell

June 13th I had the privilege to travel  to my brother Gary's house.  My nephew, Addison, was having his mission farewell talk the next day.  He is going to the Texas, Houston Mission.  It was a 10 hour drive, but well worth it.  We got there just in time for a fabulous BBQ.  We enjoyed talking and playing.  Christine, my SIL, was a great hostess.  She and Gary put on a great party.  Addison gave a spectacular talk.  He will be a wonderful missionary.

Addison has been through a few trials in life.

At the age of eight, he was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.  He went through surgery, chemo and radiation.  After a few years, he was in remission.  He and his family, his 5 siblings and mom and dad, were able to go to Disney World through the Make-a-Wish Foundation.  Lately he received his Eagle and has been a counselor at a cancer camp and played an instrument in his high school band.  Addison has the best attitude, is very humble and loves everyone.  We are so excited that he is able to go on his mission.

Maren and Aliza could not keep off of Addison.  He was a good sport.

Can you recognize this mask man?  Mick, my BIL.  He put this on and jumped on the tramp with all the kids for a while.  They loved it so much.

When it was time to head home, there was one last stop.  I don't get to Boise area much, but when I do, I have to make a stop at the cemetery where my dad and older sister, Diane are buried. 

There is a fenced area with some reindeer in it.  This was one with some HUGE horns. 

My mom drove with me, and we followed Kass and Mick.  This is the area that my dad is buried.  Maren, Brynn, Cade, Aliza, Breelyn, and Abby 

We cut some roses from Gary's rose bushes to put on the grave.  When we got there, some flowers were already there with a football that had some writing on it.  My dad played football for the University of Utah, my nephew J.J. plays for the Utes now.  My sister Rhonda and her family made it to the cemetery before us and had put these down.  On the football was written things like...Go Utes.  Var Selle  Weaver and J.J. Williams.  Love you Grandpa...(I can't remember everything).  It did put tears in our eyes, that's for sure.

What a great spiritual trip!  I am so glad some of my kids were able to go and see the example and sacrifice their cousin was making.  (Sammy and Sam stayed home this trip.  Sammy had drivers training and didn't want to miss)

Anthony and Arial's Wedding

What a privilege it was to be in Idaho for Anthony's wedding.

The day after Thanksgiving, (the BIG shopping day) my four children and I hopped in the car and took a 10 hour drive. It wasn't too bad of a drive, the roads were perfect, the kids were content, and the car ran great. ( just a little Monson for ya) As we were pulling into Boise, fireworks were going off downtown. Boise State University just won their big game in football and will be going to a bowl now. That was very fun to see. I'm just glad we came through when we did to miss the after game traffic. Saturday morning, we went to the 10:30 wedding. It was a beautiful wedding. Both Groom and Bride looked wonderful!

Gary,Christine,Arial,Anthony,Christine's mom Rena, and my mom Janice.

I wonder if Arial and Anthony will continue the "A" names with their children? We'll see.

I was sending some pictures from my phone to Sam so he would know what he was missing. Anny suggested sending him a funny one with us being crazy. I figured I was already crazy, so I just smiled. Anny and Kass weren't too happy with me. :) :)

(don't get mad at me for putting this in girls, see, I am crazy)

After the wedding and luncheon (which was fabulous, the caterers, Gary used to work with, supplied the food in a beautiful building downtown), Anny, Kass and I grabbed our kids and took them to our sister's and dad's graves. Diane was 2 when she passed away due to drowning (I was not born yet) and my dad was a young buck as well, 55, due to heart problems (I was 16 years old). I loved sharing this with my children and telling them stories about their grandpa and aunt that they never met. I remember well coming to this cemetery often while growing up.

Later that night was the reception. I so enjoyed watching my children dance, flirt with the bride and groom, and play with their cousins they barely know.

Alexis (Gary and Christine's daughter) and Maren

Addison (Gary and Christine's son) and Jackson

Becca (Alexis's cousin on other side) and Alexis babysat the kids while we were at the wedding and luncheon. The kids loved them and were hanging on Becca all night.

What a fast trip this was. It took a couple of days to re-coop, but well worth it. I'm glad my kids got to know their uncles Gary and Curt a little more along with Christine and their kids.

I so enjoyed driving through Boise, (squeezed in the back seat with mom, Anny and Kass with Curt driving and Mick) going down memory lane. We each had different and similar memories of this city. I'm glad I get to go back now and again and show my kids were their mom grew up.