Cute Cousins!

I just had to post a picture of my two new cuties! Samantha is 6 weeks older than Kamri and at this age it really makes a difference. She is quite the chubs now and smiles so cute. Kamri is still quite petite although breast milk does wonders and I'm sure she'll catch up in no time!

Aren't they the cutest?!!!

Rest in Peace

Joey was laid to rest yesterday. It was a beautiful funeral with a large crowd in attendance. Vanessa gave the life sketch followed by all their married children and spouses giving a short memory of their dad. Sterling gave the spiritual talk and then their bishop closed with his remarks. Two musical numbers rounded out the program. The tone was upbeat as Joey's life was celebrated.

A good friend of Joey's, Monty Hogle, made the casket and it was incredible. Vanessa's sister Pam did the floral spray for the top out of leather roses that everyone helped to make. It also was incredible.

The Larry's minus Joey :(. . .

Ron was able to help carry the casket.

In true mountain man tradition they fired a cannon for Joey.

Ron and I with our flowers to keep from the casket.

The Larryettes. (I love these girls!)

Ron and I did well with our emotions until the closing song.

Each life that touches ours for good

Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;

Thou sendest blessings from above

Thru words and deeds of those who love.

What greater gift dost thou bestow,

What greater goodness can we know

Than Christ-like friends, whose gentle ways

Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.

When such a friend from us departs,

We hold forever in our hearts

A sweet and hallowed memory,

Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.

For worthy friends whose lives proclaim

Devotion to the Savior's name,

Who bless our days with peace and love,

We praise thy goodness, Lord above.

To all of my family and friends that touch my life for good, thank you and I LOVE YOU!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Yesterday was my father's 83rd birthday. Wow, time sure flies doesn't it? Debbie, Terry and I were able to go to lunch with him and my mom to celebrate. He is a wonderful man and father with many good qualities. Thought I would share just a few:

Smart - I could ask him anything and he would know the answer. (Or have an opinion!)
Handy - He can fix or do anything and he has done many projects for me over the years. (Thanks dad!)
Funny - He has a great sense of humor and always makes us laugh with his jokes.
Tender - He loves his family and it shows in his emotions. (I definitely inherited that gene!)
Loving - He has become a devoted caregiver to my mom as her illness has progressed. (Gotta give him props for that!)


Dad and Mom

The lunch gang

Me and my Dad

I love you dad! Thanks for all that you have done for me and my family.

The Circle of Life

Friday was a very bittersweet day for us. It started off at 5:30 a.m. with the dreaded phone call that our beloved friend Joey Mortensen had passed away. We knew it was inevitable but who knew it would happen so fast and he would be gone before we were ready to let go. Ron is still reeling from the news and hurting deeply even though he keeps his emotions hidden inside. The world lost a great man and we lost a great friend. We will miss him.

The sweet part came later as Kimberly gave us our 9th grandchild, a sweet baby girl with the name Kamri Leigh Carroll. Born on May 15th at 10:50 p.m. She weighed in at 7 lb. 6 oz. and was 22 3/4 inches long. Wow! Where did that height come from? The nurses were all saying that she would be a super model and Jason is banking on that! She was posterior so her face got a little banged up on the way out but she is darling anyway. Here are some cute pics to enjoy:

Kimberly still working hard after 12 hours of labor.

The finished product!

Mama and her new baby.

Another daddy's girl.

Natalie witnessed her first birth and she's thinking adoption sounds pretty good now!

The proud grandma.

Papa with his princess.

The cute family of four now!

Isn't she sweet?!

A day of deep sadness, a day of pure joy. A death, a birth, and the circle of life continues according to our Heavenly Father's plan. I'd like to think that Joey and Kamri passed eachother on their way in/out of heaven and he was able to give her some tips on how to keep her papa and grandma in line. We're gonna need it so we can all be together again someday. Until then we say goodbye. Gone but not forgotten. We love you Joey and we love you Kamri and welcome you to the family!

Guess what......! No wiener = baby girl!!!!!!!

That is the text that Melanie and Gabe sent out to let everyone know that after 3 boys they are having a GIRL! WOO HOO! We are over the moon excited for them and excited to be having our 4th granddaughter within 6 months of eachother. Won't that be fun! Congratulations to Gabe's parents as the spell has been broken and after 17 grandsons they are finally getting a granddaughter!!! Melanie says that this is going to be their last child and what a perfect ending to a beautiful family!

Cinco de Mayo Celebration!

My brother Terry was born on cinco de mayo and this year he turned 60! (Can you believe I have a brother that is 31 years older than me?!) So my sister Debbie and I threw him a fabulous party at her casa. We enjoyed yummy mexican food and great company. Here's some pics of the big event:


Debbie whipping up some delicious non-alcoholic margaritas!

Everyone gathered around to enjoy words of wisdom from the birthday boy.

Debbie and I made him a scrapbook with various pics from his life. Very funny!

Terry with Scott Horne, one of his childhood friends.

Terry with his two sons, John and Sam. I'll bet you can guess where Sam got his height!

Terry with mom and dad. (That's Debbie clowning around behind!)

The two hostesses with the mostesses!!!

And lastly, me with my big bro.

Terry is a wonderful brother and so much fun to be around. Here's hoping for many more years to come. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Ode to Joey

One of our nearest and dearest friends, Joey Mortensen, has been diagnosed with cancer and given only a short time to live. We are deeply saddened by this news and feel so bad for him, his sweet wife and family. Joey is so full of love, life and laughter and lots of fun to be around and we feel so very privileged to be his friends and part of the Larry group. We are bettter people because of our association with him and Vanessa and their great example. He was hospitalized recently and we were able to go visit him and take him some fro yo (he loves ice cream!) Here he is enjoying what little he could eat:

We love you Joessa and hope and pray for a miracle.