a simple thanksgiving

By the time everything with pops funeral had just finished suddenly Thanksgiving was already upon us.  None of us remembered and by the time we did there was no time to prepare anyways.

It was the Bunkers year but since they were celebrating the holiday in Carlsbad with family we decided to spend it with my family even though we graciously got offers to spend it with many other loved ones.  It just seemed fitting after what we had just gone through days before together.

Dad and I prepared a small turkey and made whatever else we could find for sides.  Mom slept and the kids napped by the fire in the family room, while Brian made us his special pie for dessert.

There was no fancy set table or large feast and I was upset it wasn't lovely enough.  I wanted this day to be special for my Mom, who had just gone through so much and it just wasn't going to happen.

As we sat down to our meal, not dressed in our sunday best, but with worn out expressions when court asked who wanted to go first naming blessings. 

We all looked at her while mom started to cry.  In the midst of these grueling couple of weeks, and trying time for our family, my sister still remembered our tradition to name all that she was thankful for and blessed with at Thanksgiving dinner. 

It was really a lesson for me as I was feeling sad and sorry for my family. As soon as I heard her say that I cried too realizing what I already know.  That there is always so much to be thankful for and so much we are  blessed with, even with the loss of someone so dear.  

As we went around the table hearing each others heartfelt feelings of gratitude I realized that this was the most special and spiritual Thanksgiving we had ever shared together.  In the midst of tragedy we had become even closer as a family and were now better and stronger because of it; a giant blessing in itself.

I am so thankful for a family that loves and supports each other and for parents that have strong good traditions that have stuck with us kids over the years.  I am happy to have learned that if you have your family, and your health you truly have it all.  I am thankful for my sweet sister who made thanksgiving even lovelier than I ever could have just by knowing and reminding us all what matters most.

Grandma & Grandpa's 60th Celebration

Grandma and Grandpa Siebenhaar celebrated 60 years of marriage a week ago.  They threw a rockin' party downtown at Chuck-o-rama complete with treats, lots of food, and plenty of good german company :)

Each of their children gave a speech and it was so cool to see how much of an example they have given their children to follow their footsteps in marriage.

My favorite moment though was when grandpa got up to speak and said that 60 isn't that big of a number.  He said they have been together for 21,900 days and that is alot!  He said you have to take marriage one day at a time and to try your best each day to try and make your husband/wife happy.

He said that the hard times in marriage are what have brought them the closest and that it is so important to see the good in every experience.

My goal is to have a 60 year anniversary someday and I hope that I can be as happy as they are in life.  I admire so much about these two people and I am thankful for such amazing grandparents who have lead by example.

In loving memory. . .

Donald Green
"Put your shoulder to the wheel"

Donald Green, 86, our beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend passed away peacefully on November 21, 2011 in Draper, Utah. 

He was born on January 23, 1925 in Wendell, Idaho to Bartholomew Lanna Green & Florence Monica Sticka; the youngest of 4 children. 

Don spent his wonderful childhood learning the important values of hard work & perseverance which he applied to all areas of his life. Growing up he enjoyed playing the trumpet, fishing & hunting with his dog, "Coke", camping, skiing, geology & rock collecting. 

He attended photography school and later went on to achieve a degree from the U of U in Metallurgical Engineering Technology with a 4.0 GPA. Don served his country during WWII as a medic at Presidio in CA and also at Fort Douglas in Salt Lake City giving shots & keeping medical records.

It was there that he met and fell in love with his sweetheart, Belva Alice Maxwell. They were married on January 4, 1946 in Peoa, Utah, and later sealed in the Salt Lake temple on June 16, 1955. Don was romantic & wrote her sweet love notes, took great care of her and served her as long as he could do so. 

They had five children; 3 daughters and 2 sons. Don was loving & supportive. He spent time doing fun activities with his children &; taking them on great family vacations. 

He worked many years at Kennecott Copper and later started his own photography business, "Don Green Photography". He loved taking pictures and was well known for his aerial, mining, industrial, commercial photography and large scale prints. 

Later in life he enjoyed traveling to many continents with his sweetheart and taking beautiful pictures of the world around him. Scenic shots were his favorite. 

Don was affectionately known as "Pop" or " Poppy" to his grand and great grandchildren. 

He is survived by his dear wife Belva, sons Dr. R. Don Green (Hilary Huong Le), Richard (Amber) Green, daughters, Sharon (Mike) Kirk, Sheila Brown, Pam (Steve) Siebenhaar, 14 grandchildren, and 17 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Lawrence, Clarence and Mildred. We will miss his joyful laugh, talented mind, and loving countenance. 

We would like to express our sincere gratitude & thanks to the staffs at Highland Care Center, the Beehive House in Draper, Curo Healthcare and everyone else who worked so lovingly to serve him in his last days, and lastly to the special friends he made during his stay. Thank you for your friendship & love. 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 26, 2011 at the Winder 2nd Ward, 1361 East 4000 South. Friends may call from 6-8 p.m. on Friday evening at Goff Mortuary, 8090 S. State Street, Midvale, Utah and 1 hour prior to the services, at the church. Interment, Murray City Cemetery.

We will miss you poppy. . . 

Sundays with Enid

Feel better soon pops

Pop isn't doing so well right now.  He has been really sick lots of times, but I don't think I have ever seen him this sick before.  He isn't up for much right now and I miss his wonderful personality and how he would joke around about his problems.  

He would sing, "Nobody knows the trouble I've seen, nobody knows my sorrows", then he would look up at you with a straight face to see how you were perceiving his song, and then break into laughter.

I hope he gets better soon.  It's no fun at all.

Erin and Travis { Tie the Knot }

  

Erin and Travis have been married for just over a month now so I figured I should get to posting about it!

Their sealing was so wonderful and it was the first one I had been to since my own.  It was so special to be there and Brian and I noticed that it took place in the same room as ours.

Erin already felt like part of the family before it was "official" and it was so fun to dream up wedding ideas together.  Our taste is so similar and dreaming up possibilities was so much fun this summer at the cabin. She is an incredible girl who I can't believe how lucky I am to be cousins with.  

The luncheon took place at the jsm building and they had planned an amazing reception in my aunt and uncles backyard that was threatened by the rain.  After an hour it stopped and we moved the party outside.

Highlights included the boys " decorating " trav's car, sneaking back for fourths and fifths of the to-die-for food, and court catching the bouquet like she always does. 

I am so thankful for this { growing } family of mine and for the close ties that bind us together.  We always have a great time together and erin and travs party was so fun to celebrate them and their union. 

Congrats you two. . . Cousins forever!

the average pictures were taken by me and the amazing pictures were taken by elizabeth kate photography!