Washington DC

Forgive me for blogging out of order but I must catch up. As you might recall, we took a trip to Washington DC with my mom, dad, and brother in July. My mom had a nursing education conference there so we met them for what was supposed to be a fun filled, sight seeing, family trip. And it was still a good trip, it just wasn't as fun since my Grandma passed away in Utah while we were there and my mom went home early to take care of funeral plans. All the same, we are grateful for the trip and here are some highlights! (Oh and sorry for the tremendous amount of pictures, this blog is becoming a great scrapbook!)

Day 1
Checked into a very nice Marriott courtesy of my mom and the college

Day 2
Woke up early to get tickets for the Bureau of Printing and Engraving where they print the dollar
Crossing the National Mall(and attempting to smile in the blazing sun)on the way to...the Smithsonian CastleThe American History Museum where Ryan got a picture with his beloved Steven Colbert

Enjoyed the delightfully warm pool
And checked out some beautiful gardens

Day 3
Woken up at 4:30am with a phone call that Grandma had passed. We spent the next few hours helping my mom get a last minute flight back to Salt Lake. The rest of the day we spent swimming and at the Holocaust Museum
We saw some great architecture on the way



Day 4
The National Aquarium and The Natural History Museum
Air and Space Museum

One of our many rides on the MetroWe only took the Metro to and from our hotel. The rest of the time we walked. And walked and walked. Like when we walked from the Washington Monument to the Capitol. It didn't look that far until we were about half way and our feet were screaming :) Totally worth the view though, especially at sunset.

Then being the brave (or crazy) people that we are, we decided to walk all the way back and see the Lincoln Memorial. Again, very worth the walk. Besides, like they say, when in rome :) Our one lousy picture of the White House due to a nearly dead camera and the fact that the day before when we tried to get a picture during daylight, the police pushed everyone away from the White House. Not sure why...

Day 5
Packed up and headed home

I'm glad we had the chance to discover our Nation's capitol. We covered a lot of ground in the few days we were there but there is still so much we didn't see. Hopefully we get the chance to go back and show my mom around soon!

There's no place like home

I certainly have some blog catching up to do so here goes...

We were fortunate enough to take a week off before school starts and head back to Utah for a family visit. Usually we try to get together with friends when we are home but this was dedicated as solely a family visit and it turned out great! Be prepared for LOTS of pictures!

After our flight got in and we waited 2 HOURS for our "reserved" rental car (because they "ran out of cars") we headed down to visit Ryan's sister and brother. We had 3 new nephews and a puppy to meet and they sure are cuties!


The next day we met up with my family. My niece Mckayla is starting Kindergarten so we had a girls day to go back to school shopping while the boys went out to lunch. She is such a diva and had us cracking up during her "fashion show." She and Talmage both got new rainboots from my mom and are in love with them!


The next day we went to the Children's Museum at the Gateway with Ryan's family. It was fun to watch the kids enjoy the neat exhibits.

Later we enjoyed a family BBQ. They boys enjoyed some guy talk on the balcony.
That evening we took advantage of having the whole family together and had some pictures done. We were hoping to go outside but the weather didn't cooperate. I'll post more when they are done being edited by our expert photographer and sister-in-law Kelli.

The following day we again were hoping for good weather to go swimming but ran into rain so we found a neat indoor/outdoor pool and enjoyed the afternoon there with Ryan's sisters and niece and nephews. Check out the cute baby in the swing!

For those of you that don't know, my twin sister is a very talented triathalete and her kids are no exception. Her daughter Mckayla who is 5 has taken to the sport herself and had her 2nd tri scheduled while we were there. I was SO excited to see her compete and we left plenty early to get there. Unfortunately it took us 30 minutes to get about 5 miles on the freeway due to unknown construction and we missed the race!! You can bet I had a royal tantrum in the car :( We got there just after she finished but she was still excited. She had a great time and we are so proud of her!

Later that day we visited the Aquarium. Kind of small but not too shabby.

The Sunday we were home, Ryan had the opportunity to ordain my little brother Tyler an Elder and advance him in the Priesthood. It was a great day and nice to have the whole family together. We love you Ty!



The next day we met Ryan's family at a local school for a picnic lunch. Little did we know we picked the perfect place for a show! Halfway through our lunch we noticed a paraglider above us and shortly after he landed right there on the grass! We came to find out that it was the 2009 national competition and soon we spotted nearly 50 of the competitors 18,000 feet up in the sky. They were supposed to land about 50 miles away but we saw 4 or 5 unlucky guys who didn't quiet make it land right next to us. What a neat experience to see it so close! The picture is hard to see but if you look close you can see a bunch of the parachutes.
Later that day we were able to spend some time visiting my Grandpa. It was SO good to see him and how I wish I could be closer to spend even more time with him. We were also to get together with Ryan's Grandpa and his wife Bonnie a few times. I sure love Grandparents! The funny look on Ryan's face is because his mom asked them to reinact a big hug :)

We made it home safe but not before being delayed getting out of Salt Lake which required our plane in Denver to wait for us and sitting next to a creepy guy who laughed incredibely loud at whatever he was watching and then reached into MY seat front pocket to get a magazine. He didn't even ask! Just started searching then did the same thing when he returned it, can you believe that?!

We really had a great trip and are grateful to our families, especially our parents for hosting us and planning activities. See you in December!!

Beautiful Tribute

Lois Jean Kiddle Young "The Quilt Lady"
Lois Young, 80, after having a wonderful 24th of July, passed away early Saturday, July 25th at home with her family, due to incidents of life, her age and Parkin-son's disease.Lois Jean Kiddle was born March 21, 1929 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was the youngest of seven children of Adelbert and Bertha Kiddle. She graduated from South High School in Salt Lake City. She was a member of the LDS Church, serving in various callings. She affectionately became known as the "Quilt Lady" of her ward, because of the many quilts she coordinated for the ladies to make and donate to the Youth Village. Lois was an accomplished seamstress, quilter and friend. She enjoyed crocheting, flowers and gardening. When newly married, she won her first cash prize of $5 and a job offer, in a contest with ZCMI for sewing men's slacks. Mother made all her own clothes, and many of her children's clothes. Lois started her professional life as a bookkeeper for Albuquerque Chemical in Albq., NM and State Brass Foundry in Salt Lake City, UT. She worked 25 years for Grand Central Department Store, until they closed. At that time, she was the Corporate Assistant Vice President in charge of Budgeting - the highest position held by a woman. She retired from Gubler and Carter Accounting Firm. Lois was an active member of American Business Women's Association (ABWA) for over 25 years. She won the National District 6 Vice President position and traveled throughout the western states, encouraging and supporting women in business. Lois' daughter, Christine, was deaf and blind. Lois was instrumental in working with professionals, special education and parents, to organize the Exceptional Child PTA in Utah. Lois married Joe Roestenburg and together had four children, later divorced. She married Joseph T. Yoakum and had two children, later divorced. In 1989, Lois married Kenneth Young, her "Knight in Shining Armor." Together they shared 17 wonderful years with family and friends, traveling, the theater, card games and many memories, prior to Ken's death in 2006. Lois is survived by her children and extended family, Robert K. Roestenburg, Steven C. (Ruby) Roestenburg, Jololene (Richard) Allan, Garon (Rosalind) Yoakum, the Young family and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren; her brother, Myron Kiddle. Preceded in death by her children: Joseph M. Roestenburg, Christine Roestenburg and granddaughter, Julie K. Roestenburg. Lois survived three husbands prior to her journey's end in this life. Funeral services will be Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009, 12:00 noon at the Holladay 10th Ward, 4601 S. 2565 East. Family and friends may call on Fri. from 6-8 p.m. at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road and on Saturday at the Church from 11-11:45 a.m. Interment, Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.

Grandma Lois

I'm sad to report that my sweet Grandma Lois passed away on July 25th. While we are never ready to see our loved ones pass from this life, we know she was ready. She had Parkinson's disease and had slowly progressed over the last few years, especially since her husband died in 2006. She had been living with my mom and dad for the last year. She passed in her sleep, without pain or injury, just like she wanted and I'm grateful that she is comfortable now and reunited with family.

We were in Washington DC with my parents and brother when she died, receiving the call at 4:30am. It certainly changed the direction of the trip but I will always remember the special and tender time we had as a family together in the hotel room early that morning.

We had a trip planned home in just a few short weeks, how I wish we could have seen her one last time but are grateful to have spent Thanksgiving with her and share lots of phone calls. When we were first married we lived a short 5 minute walk from her home and enjoyed visits together, strawberry shakes, and I often played her personal nurse whether it be checking her blood pressure or administering eye drops after surgery. She was so funny about those too, I would have to nearly pry her eyes open because she was so jumpy, we enjoyed laughing together about that.

It's 1:45 in the morning and I'm beginning to ramble but I have to post this detail since you all know how I feel about animals. My uncle who was there with my grandma said he got up because he heard all 3 of my parents dogs whimpering at her door. When he went in to check on her, she had passed away. If you recall, we had a special experience with my Grandma Ann's bird as well when she passed away.

I was hoping to never lose any grandparents and have now lost both grandma's in 10 months. I'm going to have to have a discussion with Heavenly Father someday because I don't think anyone should have to be without their grandmas (or grandpas) :) Maybe we can work something out...
Love you Grandma!

I dare you not to cry

So I'm not the biggest fan of forwarded emails but this one really got to me and touched my heart. I just have to share it with all of you and hopefully brighten your day. Better get your kleenex now!


Our 14 year old dog, Abbey died last month.

The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying that when Abbey got to heaven, God wouldn't recognize her, and could we send him a letter? I told her that I thought we could, so she dictated these words:

Dear God:

Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much.

I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.

I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her..

You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.

Love, Meredith


We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven...

Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps on the front of the envelope to get the letter all the way to Heaven. That afternoon, I drove Meredith to the Post office and watched her drop it in a letter box.. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet.

I told her that I was certain He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed,

'To Meredith , ' in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it.

Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope..

On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:


Dear Meredith:

Abbey arrived safely in heaven.

Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away...

Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog.

Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by...

Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me.

What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you.

I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.

By the way, I'm easy to find. I am wherever there is love.

Love,
God


Betcha might have a lump in your throat or a tear in your eye after reading this.
It's nice to know that there are still a few nice people in this crazy world we live in.