Happy Heavenly Birthday DAD!!

 Today is dad's birthday and our FIRST one without him!!
I still can't believe that my dad is gone!! My heart hurts so much!
My family is planning a birthday celebration at the gravesite, but Trevor is playing football in Payson so we will be missing it. Sydnee and I stopped by and picked up Red balloons to celebrate!!
I wanted to put up a sign and balloons and just talk to my dad!
I picked up a Big Mac also and Sydnee and I ate it in behalf of dad!!
I love you dad and wish you were here to celebrate with us, but I know you are
celebrating and singing for everyone in Heaven!

These were taken by Cambria, she represented our family, since we were up north for football.

These were from her blog

They all wrote notes to my dad on the balloons and released them!

My cute mom brought cupcakes for everyone!

Wonderful Friends

We came home from the funeral and I opened my garage and I was surprised by these 2 huge palm trees from the neighbors in my neighborhood.

They said they got me palm trees so that I can always remember my dad when I look at them in front of my house.  Then I went into my house and found a beautiful plant arrangement, a lot of cards and a willowtree statue, from the wonderful people at Tuacahn.

That was soooo thoughtful of them

A couple weeks later I received a knock at my door and there was a big green box.

I opened it up and there was a beautiful note from my friend LaDawn and absolutely beautiful flowers to celebrate my dad's birthday!!

What thoughtful friends. 

I LOVE MY SIBLINGS

 After being with my siblings for a couple weeks solid, 

while going through with everything with my dad,

I am going through withdrawls.

I miss being with them and spending that time together!!

 This picture below was taken at 3:00am

after Tia and Adam arrived from Virginia when

dad was in ICU after his stroke.

 This was at the LIFE CELEBRATION of my dad.

All 7 of us with our mom.

Dad's Life Celebration

 The beautiful display tables were put together by Julee.

She did such a beautiful job, everyone enjoyed looking at everything.

We had dad's music playing in the foyer where his stuff was displayed.

 She also had a table where all of his marathon memorabilia was.

 When they got to the viewing room, they were greeted by the grandkids with truffles.

 This sweet lady, Carol Reid, she did all of the flower sprays & arrangements and boutinere's and flowers for the girls hair. She did such a beautiful job.

 Cambria and Jeff were still working on grandpa's videos for his concert.

They wanted them to be perfect!!

 Lisia and Ammon were at the exit door as they left to the chapel for the services.

 We were so lucky to have so many family members in attendance.

These handsome men were:

Sterling, Jasen, Stephen & Uncle Arthur

 My dad's best friend, Uncle Jr. and his sister, Aunty Almira

came from Hawaii to be with our family.

 These cute grandkids of dad's were so good staying seated in the viewing room.

Major, Keawe, Janessa.

 Uncle David, my mom's uncle and his wife Aunty Carolyn came from Hawaii as well.

 Kelly McQueen, Irene's childhood friend, came from California as well.

 Sunshine, Sydnee, Tayvia and Raya

 

My mom received so many hugs that day and so many wonderful words of kindness and memories of my dad. The line was so long that the mortician came and asked us not to hug anymore and stand and talk, he was going down the line and telling the people to just go by and wish her well and don't stop. We were already running late and the meeting was going to be long as well.

 Aunty Almira saying goodbye to her big brother.

 Bryan's two brothers came from Arizona for the Celebration.

They loved my dad and remembered him from Scouts and their campouts.

 All of the family after the doors closed for us to close the casket.

 So many family members from ALL over, California, Northern Utah, Hawaii, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Mexico, Samoa, etc.

 All 7 of us with our mom saying our good byes and watching mom say goodbye.

My heck, that was the hardest thing to do, to know that I won't see my dad on this earth again after we close this casket. Thank goodness for the gospel of Jesus Christ and the knowledge that we have.

Now it's UP TO US to do our part, so we can be reunited with him again.

 After we closed the casket we turned around and sang, "Families can be Together Forever"

 Yes, By the way, we color coordinated everyone in the family to wear, Red-white-black.

 Our last picture with our dad here on earth!

 

Walking into the chapel for our celebration of dad's life.

We had a beautiful Celebration.

 Max and Trevor leading the Pall Bearers.

All of the Pall Bearers:

(LtoR: Joe, Clay, Hannemann, Jaden, Trevor, Andy, Bryan, Max, Adam)

 My mom and Aunty Almira in the Limo on the way up to the Cemetary.

Me, Irene and Tia went in the Limo as well.

 On the way up to the cemetery, we stopped by the house for my dad.

 The precession line was so long.

My mom kissing my dad's program, she was so amazingly strong through out this last week.

She definitely has NO DOUBT about the Plan and knows that she WILL see him again.

 She is so cute. Cambria did a quick little photoshoot with her with these pictures.

 Our whole family!!!

FAMILIES ARE FOREVER

 We love you dad!!!