Kylee's Tribute to Aunt Kaitie

FHE w/the Neighbors

I love our neighbors and love going and doing things w/them and my little family! We always have so much fun together and am so glad we live where we do!

Tonight, we decided to do a neighborhood Family Home Evening and headed down to the corn maze! The kids had a blast but were all ready to go home when it started getting dark! Afterwards, we stopped for yummy ice cream! It's been a fun day/night!

Grandpa Blaine's Pumpkin Patch

My father-in-law always grows pumpkins for the grandkids and this year they were HUGE! Here are some cute pictures taken before we took our pumpkins home! Thank you Blaine for the love you show all of your grandkids!

Loving the "Fall" Time!

This past weekend, Brett wanted to go for a drive to see the fall colors and it was so fun! We went up Butterfield Canyon (just behind our home) and drove up to the back of the copper mine. We had a great afternoon! I love spending time with my little family!

My first wild turkey "sighting"! Brett was so proud that I saw this! Ha ha!

Kylee's Jog-a-thon!

Kylee had a jog-a-thon at school on Thursday (09/24/09) to raise money for her school! The Kindergartners had to run 4 laps around the field which equalled one mile. They have been getting ready for this for a few weeks now and she was so excited to participate! I am so glad that I have the opportunity to participate in her school activities with her! It's something I look forward to! You did an amazing job Kylee and we are so proud of you for finishing the race! We love you!
She was very tired at the end - as it was really quite hot that day! She really enjoyed her Otter Pop!

Weekend Summary

So, for those of you that actually "follow" this blog, please keep in mind that I am wanting to blog for one purpose - that is, to keep a journal! With that said...

Today has been a very interesting day. A day of sadness, happiness/joy, desire and HOPE! My Grandma Roden's funeral was this morning and it was very nice! My Dad and his siblings had to do, what I think would be the hardest thing to do, and speak at their Mother's funeral - they all did an amazing job!

Many, many stories were shared of my Grandma - some I've heard and others I hadn't. Lots were on her "quick-wit" - for example:

When my dad's siblings were taking my Grandma to the care center (where she lived the last two weeks of her life) the staff (for some reason) asked my Grandma if she exercised, to which she put her head down, lifted her finger and started bending it up and down! Ha ha! I'm sure she was not happy for being there and not sure if that was her sense of humor or her anger kicking in, but that is my Grandma and I wish I would have gotten some of that "quick-wittedness" from her!

Another story was one when she was a little girl. Herself and another girl (can't remember who that was) were being chased by a bull and as she was running away from this bull, she thought that in order for it to be a legit prayer she had to have her eyes closed to which she prayed (w/her eyes closed as she was running) - "Lord, please bless us, we are good people." I hope I got that saying right! There is a cartoon drawing of this story in my Grandmother's home!

My Dad gave an amazing talk. He told of when he was eight yrs old, he was to give a talk in Sacrament Meeting. My grandma wrote his talk for him and told him that he needed to repeat this talk several times so that he would be ready to give it in church. That Sunday, my dad got up, w/my Grandma sitting in the front row to guide and cheer him on, and started out his talk. He came to a funny part (that my Grandma intentionally put in there) and my dad delivered the "joke" and when everyone started laughing (as they should have) my dad started crying. My Grandma encouraged him to go on and when he wouldn't she came up on the stand w/him. She gave him more encouragement but he still could not finish the talk. Needless to say, My Father finished that exact talk today w/the perfect ending to my Grandma's funeral! It was perfect and the spirit was SO strong!

I have had the opportunity to keep that spirit w/me all day today and hope that it continues for a very long time!

I had the opportunity to go w/my parents' to my Grandma's home this evening! Wow, what a different feeling that is now in her home. I can't even begin to describe what it felt like, a feeling of loneliness but also a feeling of love, comfort, peace and HOPE!

I bring up the word HOPE a lot, as that is what I left with after having an awesome discussion w/my parents. After going to my Grandma's home, we drove up to the cemetary and just talked. I had a few questions for my Mom and Dad (as I got some one-on-one time w/them) and am SO glad I was given that opportunity. I left there wanting to try MUCH harder on getting my family to the temple! I want that feeling of knowing we will be together forever! I can't imaging forever w/out Brett and Kylee! Here's to hoping we can get there soon. I struggle w/a few of the things I will have to do in order to go through the temple, but sure hope and pray that I can follow through w/those certain things!

To sum this all up - my Grandma has taught me so much and I love and miss her very much! I know I will see her again one day and that is what makes me excited to strive to do better w/my life and really focus on what's important!!

I love you Grandma! Till we meet again!

School Picture Day

Today is Kylee's very first school picture day! Doesn't she look beautiful? Brett texted her before school and told her she looked like a princess - and - she truly does!

Love you Grandma!

Regena Russell Roden 12/22/1910~09/14/2009 Regena Russell Roden's earthly mission came to a close on Monday, September 14, 2009, in Lehi, Utah. She was 98 years old.Born December 22, 1910 in St. John, Utah, eldest of five children of Heber Clyde and Ona Draper Russell. Married George B. Roden in the Salt Lake Temple October 4, 1933; mother of five children, Robert Kenneth (Jolene) Roden of Draper, Janet R. Hunt of Kaysville, Steven George (Dianne) Roden of Mapleton, Phyllis (Howard) Smith of Draper, Paul Alan (Patricia) Roden of Draper; grandmother to 25, great-grandmother to 67, great-great-grandmother to one; all of whom are her most cherished legacy. Lived one year in Pocatello, Idaho, six years in Los Angeles, California and the balance of her life in Utah. Since 1947 she and her family lived in Draper, a town named for her great-grandfather, William Draper, Jr. For 57 years she was a member of the Draper Second LDS Ward. She has been active in all organizations of the Church; organist and accompanist since age 13. She served in the Salt Lake and Jordan River LDS Temples and especially found fulfillment in her work in Junior Sunday School and Primary. Regena is noted for her musical talent at the piano, and over her years in Draper used to laugh that she "played at wakes and weddings" accompanying many vocalists and musicians over the whole south end of Salt Lake County. Her quick wit was a hallmark, even in her later years. She loved little children and they loved her. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband George B. (November 21, 1999); sisters Elena Thelin and Leola Swenson, brothers Clair L. Russell and Byron C. Russell, great grandson Thomas McKay Roden. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in the Draper 17th Ward, 1617 East 12700 South, Draper. Friends may call on Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Draper 17th Ward and on Saturday from 9:45-10:45 a.m. prior to funeral services. Interment will be in Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road, Sandy, Utah. The family would like to thank the owners and staff of Greenwood Manor and Love Hospice personnel for their tender care of mother. Her one request: instead of beautiful floral arrangements which soon fade and die, please contribute to the LDS Church Missionary Fund which will give opportunity for those listening to our missionaries to accept the Gospel and live more purposefully.

Cute Hair Day

So, this morning has been the most productive morning I have had in a long time. Laundry is done, sheets are changed, Kylee's homework and reading is done BEFORE school, checkbook is done and bills are paid AND last but not least - I had time to do Kylee's hair way cute for school! I love days like this - I just wish I had more of them!

Here is Kylee's cute Hair today!

The 80 ft Slip N' Slide

So, the day after the big "sleepout" that Kylee did not get to attend - our neighbors got a grand idea to put up a 80 ft waterslide at our park. The kids had a BLAST (so did the dad's)!

The only downside to doing this at the park, is that they used the park's sprinkler system (a.k.a. the "poopy" water that we despise our children running in at home when the sprinklers come on)! Yuk!

Kylee let us know that she went really fast on the waterslide because of the "poopy" water! Ugh! Let's just say - we bathed as soon as we got home!

Kylee and Halle

Josh taking Kylee down on his back!

Daddy's turn!

Wheeeee!

I truly love the neighborhood that we live in! I can't imagine living anywhere else!

The Neighborhood "Sleepout"!

So, when we got home from Vernal, the neighbors had decided to do a neighborhood sleepout! Kylee was SO excited and I was debating letting her do this (for the fact that I didn't want to wake up at 2:00 in the a.m. to come get her cuz she was scared)!

After thinking it over for a while, and Kylee BEGGING me to let her, I finally gave in! She was all gung ho, got ready for bed, got her warm sleeping bag, and headed over! I tucked her in, gave her kisses and said goodnight - leaving her w/the neighbor kids and their Daddy's with one MAJOR problem - Kylee's Daddy was leaving to go up in the mountains! She said that she would be fine so I went home.

About 10 mins later, Josh (our neighbor) walked her home cuz she was crying. She was the only one w/out a daddy to sleep out! BROKE my heart! I even debated sleeping out (I know - CRAZY) but then we decided to cuddle up in my comfy bed and I let her sleep w/me that night! We slept in until about 10:30 that morning! Ah - it was nice!

On another note - a few weekends prior to this one our neighborhood had an outside movie night! We watched "Bedtime Stories" and ate WAY too much junk food! It was a ton of fun and had awesome weather for it! At the end of the movie, all the kids were on popcorn clean-up duty! They all got their flashlights and went around the lawn and picked up popcorn - or what they could of it! When we were done cleaning up, we headed inside and I asked Kylee to get in her bed while I put some blankets away. When I came back in her room a few mins later, this is what I found!

I love watching her sleep! She is so peaceful and just goes to show what an angel she truly is! Love you Kylee!

Good times in Vernal, UT

So, a couple of weekends ago the Rodens headed down to good ole Vernal, UT to see our family members in Dino town! Many people ask what it is that we do there - my answer is absolutely NOTHING and I love it! It's so nice to just be able to sleep in, get ready when we want, chill, visit and eat! Is there anything better?

Now, as I look at my pics, the only ones I have do not include any of the family members of whom we went to see - this is a problem! Ugh! Next time!

I did get one of Kylee coloring! "A" for effort, right, RIGHT???

Here is Kaitlyn's new toy. She will NOT let anyone drive her baby but at least she will take us for an occasional ride!

Had to adjust my pants before climbing in! Thank you Heather for this one!

Wheee!

Our Cute Little Performer!

So, I decided to record Kylee singing one of her favorite songs! I don't know the name of the singer, nor the title of the song, but it's still dang funny and CUTE! Kylee loves to perform and loves to see herself performing on the TV! Maybe this will be on her "E True Hollywood Story" one day!

We love you Kylee! You truly keep us smiling every day!

My Grandma Roden

I am dedicating this "post" to my amazing Grandma Roden! She will be 99 years young this December and she is truly one of THE most amazing women I have ever had the opportunity to meet and am truly blessed to have her in my life.

My Dad and his siblings have been taking care of my Grandma since my Grandpa passed away ten years ago so that she could stay in her home. For being almost 99 years young, my Grandma is amazing! Grandma has THE best memory there ever was and her most favorite story to tell (as of recently) is about Uncle Merle - how he was the best dancer there ever was! She used to get SO excited when Uncle Merle would come to visit, as all of her friends were SO jealous of the way they danced together! Ha ha! She could go on, and on, and on about Merle and even though she repeats the story several times, I NEVER get tired of hearing it. The way she tells it - the way she closes her sweet eyes (as you know she is re-living it) and how she holds her arms up the same way she did when she was on the dance floor - truly an amazing woman!

Another favorite story was her telling us about - around Halloween time - when she and some of her friends went around to peoples' homes and would knock on the door, walk right in and dance around there kitchen and leave. Well, one of the houses happened to be my Grandpa's home - they knocked on the door, walked right in, and walked around my Grandpa - as he was in the wash tub in the middle of the kitchen yelling "woop, woop, woop" (I can still hear my Grandpa saying that) and then they walked right back out!

My Grandma was an amazing piano player! I got about 3 months of lessons from her - before I was tired of it - but still remember her going "oom pa pa, oom pa pa" to help me w/the beat as I was playing! I sure wish I would have stuck with that!

One other memory was my Grandma picking me up from school (when I was sick) to take me to her house until my Mom got there! She drove a green Pinto and you could barely see her head over the steering wheel! My Grandma is little in stature but has the biggest heart and I love her very much!

Those are the top four memories that I have of my Grandma but there are SO many more to share!

This past Thursday, my Dad and his siblings had to make a VERY hard decision about her care. They decided that it would be best for her to go to a care center where she can get the medical attention that she needs and deserves! I know this had to be one of THE hardest decisions that they have had to make, but am so amazed that they were able to help her stay in her very own home for so long! I hope that she will one day understand why this decision has been made and hope that she can feel comfort in this decision! She can now get the full medical attention that she needs w/the love and support from her family through visits and such!

Below are some pictures that I have w/my Grandma! Love you very much Grandma! Thank you for being such a great example to me!