Grand Occasions

Friday, February 11, 2011

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS

WHILE THE CALI FAMILY WAS STILL IN TOWN WE

CELEBRATED THE JANUARY BIRTHDAYS

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAY, DONNA AND NICOLE

SPAGHETTI DINNER, I CAN ALWAYS DEPEND ON THE GIRLS TO HELP ME OUT

NICOLE AND OUR SLEEPY LITTLE CREED

THE YOUNGER KIDS WANTED TO PUT ON A PLAY FOR THE ADULTS

SAVANNAH WAS THE ANNOUNCER

SYDNEY AND LOGAN DANCED FOR US

THE FINALLY WAS COLE AND TAYLER JUMPING OFF

THE COUCH AND THROWING UNO CARDS IN THE AIR

CREED WANTED TO GET IN ON THE ACT TOO

SAVVY AND MIKE

I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT SAVVY LOOKED JUST LIKE HER AUNT JENNA,

BUT I THINK SHE MIGHT HAVE A LITTLE OF AUNT SHANNON IN HER TOO.

GRANDMA ELLEN AND GRANDPA BILL

2011 started out on a sad note with the passing of John's father (January 10th). We will miss his leadership as the patriarch of the Strong family. We (the family) hold fond memories of this great man. Grandma & John organized a wonderful funeral service for Grandpa with family members participating. John gave the family prayer, Brandt the opening and Mike the closing prayer at the services. All three prayers were very warm and comforting. The great grandchildren sang "I am a Child of God," they did such a wonderful job as we could tell by their emotions that it was a hard thing for them to do. Shannon gave the eulogy and talked about Grandpa and all the great memories the kids had of him, she did such a great job. Natalie played the most beautiful rendition of "Oh My Father." Two of Grandpa and Grandma's friends gave excellent talks. John ended the meeting with an awe inspiring talk. He mentioned how Grandpa was always honest and committed to his ideals, he talked about Grandpa never holding a grudge and how dedicated he was to his callings in the church. Many friends and family members came from long distances to be there. We could see how much Grandpa was loved.

Military Honors for a man who served in the Navy during World War II

Presenting the flag to Grandma

Taps

A family picture

Gail's and Roxie's children (Grandpa's sisters)

Grandma's ward did a wonderful job with the luncheon after the services. We had several family and friends stay for the lunch.
The Leatherbury boys, Marshall and Jack

When John and I arrived in Ephraim on Monday the 10th, we were worried about the weather. It was freezing cold (0 degrees)and miserable, but by Thursday it had warmed up to the 20's, the Sky's were clear and it turned out to be a beautiful day for the services and traveling for our out of town people.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

A NEW YEAR, WELCOME 2011

AND I SAID TO THE MAN WHO STOOD AT THE GATE OF THE YEAR: GIVE ME A LIGHT THAT I MAY TREAD SAFELY INTO THE UNKNOWN. AND HE REPLIED: GO OUT INTO THE DARKNESS AND PUT YOUR HAND INTO THE HAND OF GOD. THAT SHALL BE TO YOU BETTER THAN LIGHT, AND SAFER THAN A KNOWN WAY.

Minnie L. Haskins

Friday, December 31, 2010

DECEMBER 31st, NEW YEARS EVE

DURING NEW YEARS EVE DAY JOHN HELPED HIS DAD HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL IN GUNNISON TO EPHRAIM. WHEN JOHN GOT HOME TO SANDY, THE TWO OF US SETTLED IN FOR THE NIGHT AND ENJOYED BEING WARM AND COZY AS IT WAS THE COLDEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR.

GOODBYE 2010, YOU WERE GOOD TO US AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE COMING YEAR WITH NEW GRAND BABIES, MORE EXCITING ADVENTURES TOGETHER AND GOOD TIMES WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

DECEMBER 26th OUR REVOLVING DOOR

ANOTHER FAMILY DAY

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW!
Cole and Savannah

Sydney joins her cousins

WHO'S COMING FOR DINNER?

Dinner started out with just Mike and his little family, but then it grew to include Natalie and her two, then Brandt and his family. Shannon and Larry showed up, they already ate, but stayed for desert and family time with Mike.