AhQuin's In Virginia

 Look How cute my brother Adam and his family is!!!

They are living in Virginia and have lived there for 2 years now.

We just learned that he signed another 2 year contract, so they will be there another 2 years.

 They have such a sweet family.

Devan, Josh, Avenna & Kalea

They are living the dream in Virginia.

Optimist Creed

This was shared at KJ's Funeral and I loved it, so I wanted a copy of it in my Blog Book.

Promise yourself…. To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind; To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet; To make all your friends feel that there is something in them; To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true; To think only the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best; To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own; To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future; To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile; To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others; To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear; and too happy to permit the presence of trouble; To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud words, but in great deeds; To live in the faith that the whole world is on your side so long as you are true to the best that is in you.

Wonderful thoughts:

“Our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but by how we react to what happens; not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a catalyst….a spark that creates extraordinary results.”

Strawberry Freezer Jam

Growing up I have fond memories as a child going to pick strawberries with my mom and brothers. In California they would open the Strawberry fields to the public after they have been picked through, but there were still tons of Strawberries that could be gotten. So my mom would give us all the biggest bucket she could find and have all 5 of us fill them. My brothers would eat, pick and throw. They would love to have strawberry wars. Then we would come home we would hull the strawberries and my mom would make strawberry jam. I have always loved homemade strawberry jam, more than the store bought. My mom was the epitomy of a homemaker. So all of my married life I have wanted to be like her and wanted to make jam all on my own.
I have a friend (Thanks Stephanie) that talked me into thinking that I could do it all on my own.
SO~ with her belief in me and she kept telling me how easy it was, I tried it.

It was soooooo easy!!
I only needed fruit, sugar and pectin.

I couldn't believe that I DID IT!!!!!

KJ's Funeral

Trevor couldn't go to the funeral because our ward had our Pioneer Trek, so we went as a family to the viewing. When we walked in, we ran into the Esplin's and they whispered to us that is was going to be a 2 hour wait. We were there for the long haul, Trevor needed to say GOODBYE to his friend. We stood in line watching the video that they had going all about KJ's life. We then were sat down in the chapel that was full of friends and family. Every pew was full and then there was another line. It was amazing to see all of the people that KJ had an impact on in his short life. We watched the video and I couldn't get over how much he looked like Trevor, even as a little boy and a teenager in braces.

The first time I met KJ, I couldn't believe how much like Trevor he was. We stood in line and came to the tables of KJ's belongings and Trevor really started crying, seeing his tangible things: His backpack, his shoes, his uniforms, etc. We all started crying. Then we entered the room where the family and KJ was. We signed the book and I looked up and I saw KJ's dad just staring at Trevor. When we got to KJ's mom and dad they both hugged Trevor tight and said, "KJ loved you Trevor", then they told me the same and said that KJ wanted to be like Trevor. He was one of his favorites. And that they had a bond, they had the same heart. (He is honestly THE ONLY kid that I have ever met with all of Trevor's friends, that reminded me so much of my own son.) We then saw KJ's body and it looked like he went through alot. It's amazing how our spirit add's so much to our bodies. We walked out and gave many more hugs to friends. Then I saw Trevor and Navy just hugging and crying, then Tia came and gave Trevor a huge hug and let him just cry on her shoulder, then all of us hugged Trevor and Navy. I have never seen my sons heart broken so much.

This was Trevor after the viewing, I think he was a little sad and drained by the whole experience.

(He had NO idea that I took this picture)

 It was good for us to be together as a family for this experience. The kids left for the Trek the following morning and I went to the funeral with Clay and Kiana.

When driving down the street and coming upon the church building I saw all of these flags in front of the church that the funeral was being held at.
What a beautiful sight to behold and an honor for KJ.

The hearse was in the front and KJ's body had just arrived.
It was an absolutely beautiful service.

His 5 sisters gave his LIFE SKETCH, his mom and dad both spoke about him

(And on a side note, one of his sisters was not able to be there because she delivered a baby girl one hour before the funeral started, and she lived in Virginia)
The mother started her remarks off with a HUGE THank You to everyone,
She said that she has been blessed with a Tangible Bouyancy because of all of the prayers in her families behalf. She said, "How else would I be able to stand here on my own two feet and speak about my ONLY SON and my BABY." But who else could speak about my son and do him justice, but me as his mother. She also said, "My son LOVED & Praised me as his mother, he would tell me all of the time how much he loved me, one day he said, "Mom, if you knew how much I loved you, you would NEVER frown again."
She had alot of beautiful things to say about KJ.
His DAD Thanked the Boys Scout Troop for bringing his sons body home to him. He said, "I now realize why the military families just want their loved ones body back." and he said that it was confirmed to him that KJ was the one that let go of the boys hand, out of love, and that he knew it was KJ's time to go home to his Father in Heaven.

Some of the highlights that were said about KJ were:
* KJ was very close to the spirit * He wanted to skip high school and get to his mission *
He LOVED his mom sooo much!! * He loved having missionary experiences * He loved his sisters so much * He didn't care about what other people thought of him, very down to earth *

Here is his program, the picture on the back was taken one hour before he died.

This saying was shared during the funeral:

I am so grateful that my son was blessed to have KJ as a friend. I feel like Trevor knew him in the preexistance and found him here on earth. They both have so many of the same characteristics. Their bond was something very special and I think that's why Trevor's heart was broken.

Pioneer Trek

Here are my two Brown Pioneers getting ready to meet all of the other pioneers at 5:00am.
They are traveling to Wyoming on a big bus for 10 hours.
So they were told to wear something comfortable and change when they get there.

This will probably be the only picture that I get of the two of them, considering I am not going on the trek to take pictures.

I hope to add more pictures to this post.

Trevor is in the Larsen's family and Sydnee is in the Hurt's family.

Should be a fabulous experience for these kids.

KJ's Obituary

H Kreg "KJ" Harrison
(October 20, 1995 - June 20, 2012)
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St. George, Utah

- H Kreg "KJ" Harrison Jr. passed away in an accidental drowning at Havasupai Falls on June 20, 2012. He was born on October 20, 1995 in the Logan Regional Hospital to Kreg and Brooke Harrison. He came home from the hospital to five big sisters who were eager to help mother him.

KJ was born with a very special, sensitive spirit and kind heart. He seemed to "get" the meaning of life at a young age and with his way of comfortable ease he lived life and drew people in. KJ found a friend in everyone and everyone found a friend in him. He passionately delved into life, always finding adventure in a day. He loved to tell stories about those adventures. We will miss his stories.

KJ lived in Hyrum, Utah as a child. His love of baseball developed at a young age - receiving an award as "the natural" when he played t-ball. When KJ was in the 1st grade the Harrisons moved to Providence, Utah. There he had many fond memories building tree houses and most especially playing baseball at the Providence fields with all the neighborhood "rugrats". KJ loved the outdoors: hiking, camping, hunting and fishing. He enjoyed spending time at his ancestral family stomping grounds in Pinto, Utah, which is where he will be buried. KJ also had a special gift in working with animals. He loved his dogs, donkeys, and a mule named "Smalls."

When KJ was in the 6th grade, the Harrisons moved to St. George, Utah. His love of baseball continued in St. George, playing for the traveling Dixie Indians, who won many tournament titles. As a sophomore he played on the Snow Canyon High School baseball team which won a 2012 state title.

KJ spoke often of his desire to serve an LDS mission, even stating a few days before passing how he wished he could skip high school and get on with his mission. Some wishes do come true. The light about him is now shining ever so brightly on the other side.

KJ, you made a difference. You will be missed. You will not be forgotten.

KJ is survived by his parents, Kreg and Brooke; his sisters: Shaeli (Jake) Campbell, Nykelle (Mark) Schlofman, Erica (Brent) Mears, Sydnie (Chris) Peebles and Madison Harrison; grandparents: Grant (Patricia) Harrison and Jeanice Mehlhoff; two nephews, Karter and Knox; and two nieces on the way. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Donald Mehlhoff.

Funeral services will be Monday, June 25, 2012 at 12:00 p.m. at the Green Valley LDS Stake Center, 511 S. Valley View Drive, St. George, Utah. Visitations will be held on Sunday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 W. St George Blvd. and on Monday, prior to services, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Stake Center. Interment will be held at Pinto, Utah Cemetery.

Candlelight Vigil

Tonight was the candlelight vigil held for KJ Harrison. It was so touching to hear how many people were there to share in the love for KJ. Everyone brought candles, tears and money to donate to the family. 

 There was a little ceremony where 4 students talked. The students were: Sarah Henderson, Kylee Matin, Nate Gottfredson, and Clint Gates. When talking to Trevor the next morning, I was asking him how it was. He said that there was alot of crying. I asked him, did you cry more the first night you got the news or last night? And he said, "Last night". I also asked about the words that were spoken. He said Nate gave the best words, in his opinion. He recalled that they were playing basketball the day before and KJ had to leave, he then came back to play some more and the boys asked him, "I thought you had to go?" Then KJ's Response was, "I just felt like I needed to spend alittle more time with you guys." While Trevor was telling me the story, he started bawling and of course that made me start crying. It's so hard as a mom to watch your child in so much pain. His heart is broken and so sad.  

Happy 21 Years Babe!!!

Wow, has it really been that long?

I have known Bryan for 30 years and we have liked/loved each other on and off since then.

FIRST OF ALL~

Bryan saw me for the first time at a Seminary Open House for our stake and asked his friend, Kalani~

"Who Is That Girl?" He responded, "Oh that's Tonya AhQuin"

Bryan responded so "Matter of factly", "I am going to marry her one day!"

We wrote notes to each other our Freshman year in seminary and left them in each others scriptures, because we went to different high schools our freshman year.

We then went to the same high school from our sophomore year to graduation.

We had our first official date our Senior Year for Homecoming,

and since then everything pretty much is history.

He served a mission in Sydney, Australia from 1988-1990.
(I "Dear Johned" him twice and promised him that I wouldn't date him when he got home.)

He got home May 30th, 1990,

We got engaged Sept. 13, 1990

and Married June 22, 1991.

In July 20, 1992 - Our First born Cambria blessed our family then

September 2, 1993 - Cecilee surprised us with her arrival

(Cambria was 4 months when I found out I was pregnant again)

September 2, 1994 - We made a HUGE MOVE to St. George, Utah

January 5, 1996 - We built our first home in Ivins, Utah

March 6, 1996 - Our only son, Trevor was born

November 1, 1998 - Our baby Sydnee of our family was born

April 5, 2004 - We built our dream home, still in Ivins are fews blocks up from our old neighborhood.

We've had many wonderful milestones during our 21 years of marriage.

Who knows why I say the things that I say.
Obviously we are meant to be, but he is TOOOO good of a man for me, but I am grateful

that he loves me and puts up with me.

He is so patient, loving, kind and makes me feel beautiful.

I love him so much and can't wait to spend many more years together!!

I love you Bry!!!

Summertime=Swimming Time

 We love having Tia and her boys come over and swim.

Major is just getting so big and he thinks that he is a BIG kid!

 Legend just loves his mama!!

 Bryan was trying to teach Major to swim, but look how big he is... he's standing all by himself in the shallow end and not hanging onto the sides.

 The dogs were pretty hot, so Bryan put them in the pool to cool off and go for a swim.

 Major thought that was the funniest and coolest thing to see the dogs swim.

So Sad

Candlelight vigil tonight; teenage life lost in tragedy at Havasupai Canyon

Written by Andy Griffin on June 21, 2012 in Local News, News, Snow Canyon, Sports, Top Sports Stories - 1 Comment

Snow Canyon Lady Warriors give tribute to K.J. Harrison who died on June 20, 2012. Taken at Dixie State Team Basketball Camp, St. George, Utah, June 21, 2012 | Photo courtesy of Jesse Shipp

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ST. GEORGE – A candlelight vigil is planned for 9:30 p.m. tonight at Warriors Field, the home of the recently crowned 3A state champion baseball team at Snow Canyon High School, where Kreg Harrison, Jr. played infield, pitched and was instrumental in their run through the state tournament.
Harrison tragically succumbed to an apparent drowning Wednesday while visiting Havasupai Canyon with his Boy Scout Troop, Green Valley 6 Ward Scout Troop 1800.
Coconino County Sheriff’s Detectives are investigating the incident, with the assistance of Bureau of Indian Affairs Police Officers who are assigned to Supai Canyon and death investigators of the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office. The investigation is ongoing. Incident details included in this story are preliminary; among other things, the location of the incident is remote and communication with the investigators on site is limited.
The canyon, also known as Supai Canyon, is on the Havasupai Indian Reservation inside the Grand Canyon.
Gerry Blair, public information officer the Sherriff’s Department, said that at about 2:09 p.m. on Wednesday the BIA Police report having received notice of a visitor to the canyon who was a possible drowning victim in a pool of water at Mooney Falls.
A medical doctor and nurse from the Supai Medical Center and BIA Police Officers immediately responded to Mooney Falls.
Harrison had recently arrived in Supai Canyon with his Boy Scout Troop. The group was composed of 12 adults and 19 boys.
According to the release, Harrison and three other scouts were swimming in the pool of water immediately below Mooney Falls. The boys who were swimming with Harrison said they were attempting to swim near to or underneath Mooney Falls.
Investigators describe the pool beneath the falls as about five feet deep with a very strong undercurrent beneath and in the immediate area of the falls. Blair said he couldn’t say if the undercurrent is just an existing condition at this time or an ongoing condition.
“We’ve had incidents where folks have jumped and picked the wrong place to jump and died,” Blair said, and added that this is the first one reported as due to an undercurrent.
St. George News has received reports from scout family members that several of the boys jumped from the falls and Harrison took longer than usual to come to the surface. Blair said the BIA Investigator’s report will include witness statements which were still being taken when he obtained his preliminary information.
The boys saw Harrison struggle and go under the water. One of the other boys attempted to pull Harrison above the water, however the undercurrent was so strong that it almost pulled the second boy under as well. Eventually one of the other swimmers was able to pull Harrison to the shore.
Numerous people, including a medical doctor who was traveling with the scout troop and a BIA Officer, attempted to save Harrison’s life by administering CPR. After an extended period of time it became evident that life saving efforts were unsuccessful.
One of the adult witnesses said that two of the scouts were still trapped behind the falls. Adult leaders and boy scouts formed a human chain and rescued the two trapped swimmers.
An Arizona Department of Public Safety Rescue Helicopter flew Harrison’s body to the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office in Flagstaff, Ariz., where the investigation will be continued.
The initial intent of the hiking party was to stay in the canyon until Friday and then hike out. However, in light of this tragic accident the boy scouts are being flown out of the canyon by helicopter today.
Sheriff Bill Pribil and the men and women of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office have extended their deepest sympathies to Harrison’s family members, friends and fellow scouts.

Kreg Harrison, Jr. with his family, undated | Photo courtesy of Jesse Shipp

Reflections on K.J. Harrison
Harrison, known to his friends as K.J., was a champion, a fierce battler on the athletic fields and a young man with a bright future.
Such is the assessment from the coaches who knew him best.
I just can’t say enough about that kid,” said Snow Canyon High School Warriors coach Reed Sechrist last month, moments after the sophomore hit an 0-2 pitch into center field to help Snow Canyon beat Juan Diego in the first round of the 3A state playoffs. “He’s in the line-up because he’s a battler. He just never gives up.”

Community mourns drowning of Snow Canyon High School student, baseball player

Candlelight vigil planned in Harrison's honor at the Snow Canyon High School baseball field

ST. GEORGE – The Snow Canyon High School community was shocked when the news broke late Wednesday afternoon of Kreg “KJ” Harrison, Jr.'s death.
Harrison, a 16-year-old St. George area resident who attended Snow Canyon High School, died after being pulled under a natural pool Wednesday at Mooney Falls in Supai Canyon and failing to come back up, according to the Coconino County, Ariz., Sheriff’s Department.

According to a media release from the Sheriff’s Office, Harrison was swimming with friends in a pool of water directly below Mooney Falls during a Boy Scout trip at the Havasupai Indian Reservation inside the Grand Canyon. Witnesses said they saw him struggle and then go under the water in a spot where the undercurrent is especially strong.

One swimmer tried to pull Harrison up, but was nearly sucked under as well, according to the release, and by the time another swimmer was able to pull Harrison out of the water, he was no longer breathing.

Numerous members of the Scout troop, including a medical doctor who was traveling with the group, administered CPR, but “after an extended period of time, it became evident that life saving efforts were unsuccessful,” according to the release.

Witnesses said two other Scouts were trapped behind the falls after the incident, and fellow Scouts formed a human chain to rescue the two trapped swimmers.

Harrison’s body was flown to the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Snow Canyon baseball coach Reed Secrist gave his condolences, calling Harrison an “awesome kid.” Secrist said Harrison leaves behind his parents and five older sisters.

“I loved him like a son. It’s shocking that this even happens,” Reed Secrist said. “That’s the way life is. I feel bad for the family for his friends and all our guys. You wouldn’t meet a kid nicer than him. He did everything we wanted him to do. He had some of the funniest jokes. The way he went about his business, and he was a great kid down to earth. Obviously, heaven got a good one.”
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Snow Canyon shocked by drowning death of baseball player K.J. Harrison

  By Kyle Goon | The Salt Lake Tribune | First Published 4 hours ago • Updated 1 minute ago

The drowning death of 16-year-old Kreg "K.J." Harrison on Wednesday has left the Snow Canyon High School and greater St. George communities in mourning. Snow Canyon had a reason to celebrate at the end of the school year, taking home the Class 3A baseball championship. But the death of one of the players who helped deliver it has been nothing short of devastating for his family, his teammates and friends. Photos Join the Discussion Post a Comment "I can’t really believe it," coach Reed Secrist said. "He was definitely well-respected here, the type that didn’t have a bad thing to say about anybody. It obviously leaves a huge hole in our baseball program, but that doesn’t seem to be as important now." Harrison, a rising junior at the school, drowned in the Supai Canyon, located on the west side of the Grand Canyon near Flagstaff, Ariz. According to Coconino County Sheriff spokesman Gerry Blair, Harrison was visiting the canyon with his boy scout troop, and he was swimming in a pool of water beneath a waterfall. A strong undercurrent pulled him under, and three other scouts were unable to help him. When he was finally pulled to shore, a doctor who was travelling with the troop tried to administer CPR, but was ultimately unsuccessful. Other members of the troop created a human chain to rescue two more boys who were trapped under the falls. News of his death reached St. George on Wednesday afternoon. Harrison leaves behind his parents and five older sisters, as well as a large community who remembered him as a fun person to be around. Secrist’s own son, Brogan, was close with Harrison as a teammate as well as off the field. Reed Secrist said Harrison had been over many times, and since his death, his son had been struggling. "We’re trying to make sure they’re all right and help them through the grieving process," Secrist said. "K.J. was a good friend to everybody, and the team has been spending time together." Secrist said that many members of the community were planning to hold a 9 p.m. candlelight vigil on Thursday at the school. The St. George Spectrum reported that the vigil would be held on the baseball field, and mourners could sign a poster at the ceremony and donate money to help the family. Harrison played second base for the championship Warriors team. Secrist said the title he helped Snow Canyon win would always be a little more hollow without him.