Peter Bagley, Dylan Bailey, Jacob Forred, Carson Bishop, Jessica Bishop
The boys had to say goodbye to Jacob Forred as he and his family moved to Texas for a job. These four enjoyed so many fun times together and it was difficult to say goodbye to such a great family. We wish them well in their new adventures.
The week before the Evans family reunion this summer, Katherine came to stay. Grandma was recovering from pacemaker surgery and Katherine was a great help to her and grandpa in their home.
Melissa Larson has been a good friend to Katherine for many years. Their mothers (Lisa and Chris) actually grew up together and were friends as youngsters. We were able to spend a lot of time with Melissa and add her into our "cousin" mix.
One hot summer afternoon, I put these kids to work cleaning our vehicles!
After dropping off Chris at the airport, we decided to stop at Charming Charlie's and pick up some treasures to wear during the week to impress our cousins and aunts and uncles!
An intriguing find that the chocolate store offered for sale consisted
of bacon smothered in milk chocolate. Katherine and Jessica were not
sold, but the verdict is out on grandpa Evans!
A KC visit would not be complete without some Jack Stack Barbecue! Too bad Uncle Paul could not consume any!!!
Carson appears with Julie Silverburg's piano studio and her students at a summer recital.
Hearing Carson play on this beautiful Steinway is amazing to me!
Carson practiced diligently on two piano songs to prepare for appearing in front of two judges during the MAMA festival in St. Louis, Mo. on July 21.
The events of the Summer of 2012 prevented me from consistently encouraging Carson to practice these pieces. I was not present in the home for 15 days prior to this performance--5 days to attend Girl's Camp; 5 days in Branson, MO for a family reunion; 5 days in St. George, Utah to attend the funeral of my Uncle Larry Olsen. Nevertheless, Carson received a "Superior" rating on BOTH of his piano pieces! The fact that he achieved this goal ON his OWN made me more proud than the rating itself. He is maturing into a very independent, accomplished, and compassionate 13-year-old.
St. Louis was the city where we made some unique and memorable experiences. The morning after Carson's performance, Carson, Jessie and I planned to wake up and see the sunrise in front of the Gateway Arch. Exhausted with anticipation, we hunkered down in our hotel beds at 8:30 and were sleeping by 9:30. At 11 PM, I was aroused by the loud, guttural sounds of intense bickering, screaming, and accusing in the room directly next to ours. A man's bold and bellowing voice continued to echo profanities for over half and hour before I called security. It took 4 hours later for the perpetrators to exit the room and for the noise to subside. As a result, Carson and I slept for only 3 hours--not nearly enough to sustain the energy of a anxious Jessica at 5 AM!
Because I had promised this delightful early-morning adventure, we all drove the 20 minutes to the arch and assumed a position on the steps near the arch........
The efforts were rewarded with this series of beautiful photos! Carson and Jessie had an experience to remember, and it did not cost a PENNY
In fact, our hotel's nights stay was FREE after I visited the Marriott manager and asked her to refund my money. She willingly did and apologized for the unfortunate incidence.
Good morning, Miss Sunshine!!!
So happy together!!!
Upon returning to our hotel room, Carson and I attempted to sleep for a few more hours while Jessie quietly entertained herself. (she eventually fell asleep from exhaustion in the CLOSET---her make-believe play land!
After check-out, we visited the famous St. Louis Science Center. The kids had a blast!
On the four-hour trip to Kansas City, I had to stop EVERY half hour so as to not fall asleep while driving!!!
The week of July 19, Jessica participated with her good friend Maleah Deshler, in a week-long book publishing class. With 15 other students, she learned, practiced, and produced her own book, Three Cats are Brave. I was proudof her efforts and her excitement for this project.
My Mom and I went to see the books that the kids produced during the special display. My Dad was recovering from his 2nd back surgery in a nearby hospital so Mom and I snuck away.
Dad spent 4 days in the hospital after a neurosurgeon removed MORE pieces of disc material from his lumbar space. Several complications arose after the surgery including some heart concerns and the inability to relieve his bladder. As a result, Dad needed a catheter and spent the next 6 weeks recovering at home in a hospital bed in Mom's front room as he was unable to climb the stairs to his room.
After so many weeks of pain, fatigue, and medication, Dad grew a new look!
Three weeks after my mother had a pacemaker surgically installed to keep her heart beating normally, her brother, Larry Olsen, passed away. Uncle Larry, although colon-cancer free for 6 months, lost his life to an infection due to a hospital stay for stomach inflammation. He passed away in the hospital surrounded by his wife and children.
I frantically made arrangements for my Mom and I to fly into the busy Las Vegas airport during the July 4th weekend. Chris, my oldest sister, and her daughter drove from California to meet us and drive us to St. George, Utah where we would stay for 5 nights. We arrived in the lobby of the airport and were welcomed by this sign:
You Are Not In Kansas Anymore--Welcome to Vegas!
(just had to snap a picture)
The weary travelers managed to travel from the airport to Mandalay Bay hotel where we waited for 3 hours for our ride. Needless to say, my Mom was not in the best emotional or physical health for this trip, however, I was proud of her for remaining calm, focused, and alert in traveling to our destination.
After arriving at our Howard Johnson hotel, we became aware that we would be more comfortable and spend the same amount of money at a different hotel. The sights, sounds, and smells made us keenly aware of the busy vacation industry and the repercussions of booking a hotel only 2 days out! The wonders of PRICELINE enabled us to secure a 3-star hotel for the same price and a much more accommodating environment! The stress of moving to another part of town was worth the effort for our own sanity and comfort.
St. George was the destination for an evening viewing for my Uncle Larry. This is where we met up with my cousins--Troy and Jolene (5 Boys)--Laurie and Kevin Barrett (3 children)--Marty Olsen---Lisa and Ken Albright (1 child) and my aunt Sharon. My Uncle Mike also was in attendance, however, my Uncle Clair was too ill to attend any of the services. Three of his children attended, however, we did not get to visit with them.
Uncle Larry and Aunt Sharon spent the majority of their life in Cedar City, Utah and we traveled their the next morning for the funeral and graveside service. My Mom's youngest brother, Uncle Mike, came from Salt Lake City for the funeral. He recently was recovering from Throat Cancer and had lost a lot of weight! It was a short, sweet, and happy reunion for my Mom and Mike.
The funeral services for Uncle Larry were touching and beautifully presented by his loving children and grandchildren. We all felt the spirit and were edified and uplifted with the knowledge that Larry is with his Mom and Dad. My Mom held up pretty well considering all that she was going through. She was so proud of my Aunt Sharon for her strength and resolve and I believe she wanted to be strong for Sharon.
My AUnt Sharon and I were laughing at the fun times we used to have POWER shopping at the Jones Store when her and Uncle Larry visited us in KC. She also gave me so pointers of serving as Relief Society President as that was her calling at one point.
Marty Olsen--Kevin and Laurie Barrett--Sharon Olsen --
Troy and Jolene Olsen--Lisa and Ken Albright
Uncle Larry's posterity--children, spouses, grand-children. One grand-child was serving a mission in Colorado, Springs and was not in attendance.
The women appear in this picture with Uncle Mike--my Mom's youngest brother.
Sharon Nuffer Olsen's adopted brother and his family. Sharon's brother has a very large family and was so loved by Uncle Larry and Sharon.
I took Katherine, my niece, to a play at Tuacan. My cousin, Lisa and her husband Ken and Sharon also attended the in-door play.
The airline flights to and from Vegas were only affordable if we stayed for 5 days and nights. My Mom was very worried about leaving my sick Dad for that long, but Tanya and Kim were taking good care of him. Mom and I managed to enjoy our time with Sharon, Troy, Jolene and their cute boys. We played Mormon Bridge in honor of Uncle Larry and even got to attend the Elder ordination of Troy's second son, who got his mission call to Canada--SPANISH speaking!
I was able to relax and upload some of Aunt Sharon and Lisa's digital genealogy files, histories, and photos and I even took some beautiful photos of the breathtaking scenery in St. George!
St. George was the destination for an evening viewing for my Uncle Larry. This is where we met up with my cousins--Troy and Jolene (5 Boys)--Laurie and Kevin Barrett (3 children)--Marty Olsen---Lisa and Ken Albright (1 child) and my aunt Sharon. My Uncle Mike also was in attendance, however, my Uncle Clair was too ill to attend any of the services. Three of his children attended, however, we did not get to visit with them.
