Les & Margaret

Hero Breakfast, forts and Thanksgiving basketball

The boy's school hosted a Hero Breakfast on Veterans Day.

Chase enjoying the breakfast.

Rex is part of the school chorus. They sang several patriotic songs at the breakfast.

Forts

Chase and his friends (hiding in the fort) created this great fort in our basement.

Rex and Chase had their fort set up upstairs.

Thanksgiving Day Basketball

Rex is worn out after a great game of basketball.

Chase after making his shot.

Mary, Mom, Rex and Chase snacking in between games.

October 2009

Enjoying Kiersten and Andrew's wedding reception. Ali, Mom and Carol

Chase, Becky and Rex

Rex

Chase

When we moved into our house the first thing we were going to do was to pitch the roof. Well 10 years later and we are finally going to do it. In preperation we had to take pictures of house. It was a beautiful fall day.

Our 60's house

The ivy down the side of the house.

The view from the back yard.

Halloween

Rex was Indiana Jones for his costume at school. He couldn't take the whip to school so he wanted to pose at home. He is defending the treasure he has just recovered.

Ready for trick or treating. Chase was a Mariners baseball player. His new favorite team. Halloween night Rex changed his mind and wanted to be an award winning olympic athlete. People would ask him if he was Michael Phelps and he said no because he does drugs.

Chase's Birthday 2009

For Chase's birthday this year he wanted to take a few friends to the Brighton cabin.

Rex, Chase, Isaac, Seth and Spencer had a great time walking around Silver lake.

The boys looking down from the top of the climbing rock.

Enjoying a fun game of paddle ball.

Trying out Chase's new slingshot.

Happy Birthday Chase.

Rex enjoying the mountains.

Chase's family party at home.

Chase ready to open presents.

Blowing out the candles on another cake.

Libby and Russell's Wedding

Waiting for Libby and Russell to come out for pictures.

Cute Becky

Megan and Clark

Libby and Russell

Grandma, Libby and Russell

Margaret and Becky

Andrew and Kiersten

Ali, Becky, Carol, Libby, Stan and Clark

Gwen, Libby and Wayne

My Dad

On August 4 my Dad passed away from congestive heart failure. The last few months of his life my siblings and I (spouses and families) had the privilege of taking a day a week to help my parents. It was a honor and blessing to be able to spend this time with them. I looked forward to my day each week. We were able to share wonderful memories and express our love for each other. It was a tender experience for Chase and Rex to help care for their Grandfather. We were blessed to be with him when he passed. He lived an exemplary life. He was a wonderful father and grandfather.

When my Dad was 63 he sat down and wrote “Guidelines For a Fulfilling and Happy Life From One Who Has Been There”

1. Have faith in and follow Jesus Christ. It will bring you eternal happiness.
2. Love and listen to your spouse. Have a second honeymoon at least once a year.
3. Take time to teach and enjoy your children. They are a lot more important than a clean house and yard.
4. Think: “How much can I give?” not “What can I get?”
5. Buy only that which you can afford. Don’t envy others.
6. Seek for and follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost.
7. Be a “Bebiggler” and not a “belittler”. Look for the doughnut and not the hole.
8. Be a helpful and concerned neighbor.
9. Listen to good music. Read good books. Engage in stimulating conversation.
10. Be a participant, not just a spectator. Don’t be afraid to say “I’ll try.”
11. Don’t expect perfection of anyone until you have achieved perfection.

12. Make a contribution in your work or any assignment you accept. Give credit to others.

Show appreciation and compliment others.
13. Work is a blessing and not a curse.
14. Be an honest person.
15. Plant some pansies every spring and get your hand into the soil.
16. Own a popcorn popper and an ice-cream freezer.
17. Enjoy being alive!

This tells a lot about the kind of person he was and how he lived his life. We all miss him a lot!

I found a few fun photos.

Mom and Dad on their 60th wedding anniversary

Mom, Dad and me - celebrating my birthday last year.

Chase, me, Mom, Rex, and Dad last Christmas.

Rex and Grandpa reading

Chase, Dad, Les, Mom, and Rex celebrating Rex's "incredible" birthday.

Honoring my Dad

The night of the viewing we had a family gathering before it started. It was a wonderful to time pay tribute to our Father and Grandfather. The viewing began with a visit from President Monson who spent time visiting with us and talking especially to the grandchildren about following their Grandfather's example. Rex was near the front and President Monson asked him if he was going to serve a mission and his answer was "of course." He also gave Rex a high five as he left. There were so many people that came to pay tribute to my Dad. They were so kind to wait in a long line to visit with my Mom. He touched a lot of lives and was loved by many.