So I'm not going to lie...I like funerals! A lot. Is that weird? It seems a little crazy to say, but its true. (When we got back I was telling Isaac how nice Grampa's was and he said he likes them too-that made me feel good.) You celebrate someones life--you only focus on the good, they are uplifting and spiritual experiences! I think we see people how the Savior wants us to, only they're dead...Think if we could only focus on the good in people...alive...always...the world would be a better place. But anyway Grampa's was so nice. 

We scored some points with Grampa Chip by swinging into Nick's and grabbing a Pepsi on the way up to the viewing Saturday morning;) We saw so many more great friends. Seriously I can hardly think of a person that I saw there, who, if it were them who had passed away I wouldn't go to their funeral if we lived there. I would go to all of them, it was old Santa Clara at it best! I loved it. So much extended family too, it was great. The actual service was really nice too. Aunt Jayne read the eulogy but expanded a little too- my favorite thing she said was that Grampa didn't say much...but he didn't miss much either! So true. Uncle Jer sang a collection of old truck'n songs and cattle call and modified them a little too-it was awesome. I loved it. In fact I'm found myself humming and singing "Give me 40 acres and I'll turn this rig around." A little this last week to which Colt from the other side of the room said "Why him not have dollars? Div me forty bucks and I'll turn this thing around." Seriously, it was hilarious. Anyway back to the funeral, after the song then Chip spoke. It was good, as the talk scribe I would have changed somethings if I would have really realized he would be trying to read through tears part of the time, poor guy,  but oh well, he did good. And last President Ence spoke and his was awesome too. He's a good egg, I've always like him. He was the Bishop when I got baptized and served in the bishopric in the singles ward where Isaac and I met so he holds a pretty special spot in my heart. Then it was up to the cemetery. Oh tired Tanner didn't survive the service but Caroline was so sweet and offered to take him out for me. She said he had a great time playing in the nursery-great. 

At the cemetery the kids were running around like crazy, they loved that the headstones, Ann loved that so many had her last name on, then Cannon found his name on Grama and Grampa's Ann's was on the back cuz it says "Laura Ann" oh they thought that was pretty cool. It was a beautiful beautiful perfect day. 

Oh I put these pics of the pallbearers on purpose! When Pres Ence read the program and announced the honorary pallbearers (Shad-cuz he's on a mission- and the Great Grandsons) Cannon heard is name and he was like "What? What do I do? I heard my name!" It was pretty cute. Reverent...not so much-and it was a little hard with the boys at the funeral-I was divvying out sour worms like crazy! But I wouldn't have had it any other way, my boys knew and loved Grampa Great, and he loved them too!

The kids rode up to the cemetery with Grama, on their way they practice their song, but once there-on that beautifully perfect day-we decided how bout now? So, after Kyler dedicated the grave we went for it! But I screwed it up, because I had little props to remind the kids what verse we were on and such but I'd left them down at the church-but Kami had the papers she's practiced with her girls with, but we had switched the order of the verses...anyway-it was still cute but it turned into a lot of mumbling...I should have just switched and sang what they were! (But my stink'n personality...when I think I'm right...I just keep going.) Anyway, it was still cute, and we ended up doing it again in front of his casket but the sun was in the kids eyes and I don't know if it was really any better so...whatever, we tried, I'm sure Grampa loved it! 

https://youtu.be/YGE91c5tLlg

Tired Tanner at the Graveside...in the truck the whole time. (Don't turn me in)

The J Claude Frei Grandchildren...I don't know but on the blog seemed like as good of place as any for this pic. I just walked in and they were all lined up-tons of people taking this picture. Way too many people I hadn't seen in way too long, who knows when I'll see them again, but it was fun. 

After the luncheon we went home and changed clothes then headed to the park. Before everyone getting together for a BBQ, Tanner stayed and napped--I'd have liked to napped too, but the kids had fun. We actually went to the new Thunder Junction park but it was so crowded it was beyond stressful to try and keep an eye on the kids so we went up the road to a different park instead.

Tanner was a charmer! 

And then it was on to Sunday. The kids were whining that they didn't want to go to primary but that worked out because it was Stake Conference. It was awesome! I loved it and commented on what a great meeting it was to which my mom just shot me an exhausted look and said "really?" ...I guess that tells you which one of us what wrestling kids. And it was a case of the Terrible Tireds...by Sunday the boys were SOOOOOO naughty and I was soooo impatient. But Naps went a long way and we were back to having a great time.  

And fun at Grampa's means pillow fights and getting thrown on the couch! Too many pics but...so much fun --Get back on that couch!!--

TanTan got in on it too!

They have a good time! Little goof's! 

This is the look of play'n hard!

Whatever Cann Man is doing--he wants to look the part! So he was totally game to go help feed in the mornings...IF he could put on his cowboy clothes. If I said no, don't change clothes, he didn't want to go.

Monday we got over and said Hi to Great Grama Cottam and Grama Aunt Kay. I didn't get pics but Tan Tan has picked up this little trick. Finally...he was just waiting to show Grampa Chip his tricks! And really I'm not complaining!

https://youtu.be/40pkm1umlgY

Tuesday I started packing up and the boys and Grama hit the Dinosaur museum. 

Somehow they came home with prizes...even Tanner was pumped (he had stayed with me) I couldn't pics a pic. My boys genuinely love and play with stuffed animals. They're loving these new dinosaurs!

They stopped for lunch and a donut. Cann told my mom "I'm a meat eating machine." To which Colt followed with "me a donut E-tin a-chine" Lol...

Tuesday afternoon we headed for Vegas. The boys had a blast at Aunt Ginger's. It was super fun to see them and catch up. We went to dinner, then visited some more, she sent my folks home and took us to the airport herself. So nice.

Death by red eye flight?

No the boys traveled SO WELL!!! It was awesome. Isaac doesn't like us to go alone, he worries about me and that it will be too hard but seriously, so good! We should go more often!...now there is that school problem...I'm guessing they don't encourage multiple withdrawals from school--even if it is just Kindergarten... I will admit Colt was screaming bloody murder when he had to wake up from the nap pictured above, but as soon as we got out of the plane and that narrow isle way (we were dead last ones getting off) but when I could pick him up and snuggle him a little (with Tann still strapped to the front of me, backpack on, and our bag with a blanket, neck pillows, a few snacks, coloring books and such in my arms--yeah we were a circus) anyway after a little snuggle up the Jetway and he was good to go. And walked the rest of the way for me. They slept all the way home. I pulled over for a little 10 min nap but other than that we just came straight home. We had perfect road until we were past LaPlata (about 20 minutes away) then it was snowing like crazy. We met Isaac over at the district office building on they way into town to re-enroll Cannon and actually had some pretty slick roads! But then Welcome Home. It was good to see our dad!

One of the worst things about traveling without Isaac is that we just don't hear from him....I mean eventually we did but I always tease that it is out of sight out of mind with him. I know he misses us so I guess its just how he deals with us being gone. But he just busies himself the whole call and check in thing...ends up kind a rare. We played phone tag a little and I did finally get to talk to him. But since being home he just kept saying "I guess I haven't told ya...I guess I didn't tell ya..." It was about 15 times I said "Ya! cuz we haven't talked at all!" But it was good to get caught up, we missed him, we love him. 

These boys might be ready to go again though...

And this picture is in honor or Poppa Great...his pants always looked like that!

When I picked Cannon up from school today he proudly told me he sang Poppa Greats song for his music teacher! Such a cutie! I think he minds well and is well behaved at school...we could use some improvement at home.
I dunno...but sometimes its hard. I'll leave it at that.

Saying Goodbye to Great Grampa Frei

 

Saturday I innocently sent my folks a text-it was a goofy picture of Colt to which my mom replied it was s bright spot in a very hard time for my dad--(she sent me back a pic)

I knew Poppa Great hadn't been doing well but this was the day. The day he'd been ready for long before it came and the day he got to see Grama and Aunt Patti again, along with all his brothers! 

I'm thankful for the time I got to spend with him-and that my kids got to know him a little bit too. I'm thankful to be part of his posterity. 

I have some tender memories! Not the least of which is a little prayer Colt said. We had sent Grampa a video a day or two before just to say Hi when we knew things weren't good. He tried to nod. I think that's cool. But when all there was left to do was pray I asked Colt if he wanted to say a prayer and he did but he wanted me to take a video of it and send it to Poppa great...so I did, well or to Grama and Grampa, it was as close as I could. I was still trying to get the camera going when he started, it was pretty hard to film and have my arms folded-but I tried-and never mind the unbuttoned pants haha

https://youtu.be/bxmKQVX6xNw

As we traveled and got ready to travel, Isaac stayed home to work, but we'd talk about it when Great Grama Kenworthy passed away and Isaac knew we would come but I knew he would stay, but anyway, Isaac was gone (in Mississippi) for Grama's funeral too and that left me to hug and hold on to Grampa when they shut Grama's casket, I don't know how to explain it but that was a special spot to be in.
Lots of memories. We'll miss him. 

Saturday Isaac took the boys down to the church gym to run around and play baseball (he took a line drive with a wiffle ball right off the nose and still had a pretty good little red spot Sunday)  anyway I was going to work on primary stuff but they left and I got the call right after they'd gone. (Kyler called...I much preferred when my dad called after Grama died...just say'n.) As expected as it was, and such a happy day for him it still shakes ya a little bit, I didn't get anything I had planned done. Sunday was the worst sharing time of my life, oh well I did get tickets for the boys and I bought Saturday-so that was good. Monday I was doing a "stress journal for my class" yeah-all that did was compound my stress! Cannon didn't have school that day because it was a teacher development day, we started making up a little song (we've been calling it a "Jingle") for Poppa Great, seriously such a fun project, I loved doing it, but stressful, on a day I was supposed to consider every situation and my stress response to it. Yikes. Tuesday my visiting teacher came over and one of them had un-enrolled her daughter from kindergarten when they missed a bunch of school, that seems extreme but we'd already missed 5 days so I thought I better look into it. The packing process was nightmare-I was so wound up all day Monday and Tuesday-all documented too! Then Wednesday morning the boys and I were on the road before 2, not much before 2--I'd have liked a little bigger time cushion when Cannon told me he needed to pee I just said "hold it! You can pee at the airport!" That boy was pumped to come, he got up at 12:30 and didn't go back to sleep until about 4:00 when I said "oh don't fall asleep now, we're only about 45 min away from the airport"...zonked! But he woke right back up for me when we got there. And I thought or hoped the boys would sleep on the plane-not a wink! Well okay Tanner slept for maybe 15 minutes, but that was it. The boys really were so good though, I was so proud of them. Thank goodness Santa showed up with those little tablets--they saved us. But the guy behind us on the plane actually complimented the boys on their behavior, I thought that was s big deal. They did sleep most of the drive up from Vegas but I figured that was a win too! I was able to get a hold of the school and hey did withdraw Cannon because of the number of absenses-I just have o re enroll him when I get back. Part of me think yikes, part of me thinks DANG I wished I'd have known, we probably would have stayed a little longer!

The flight. We took this blurry selfie but the boys took tons of pics on their tablets. Colt was hilarious! "Say cheese window."

We haven't done anything to crazy but it's just fun being here. It's a stressful time but hey-that's what got us here. Yesterday we hit a few stores (that's always fun!) I was the scribe for the Talk Chip's giving at grampa's funeral. It was pretty dang neat to  just hang out with my dad and reminisce about his dad. 

Grama taught the boys how to play checkers because it gave Chip and I a chance to work on his talk. But he's the one I have pics of. Cannon seriously loves it. 

And the dog pic, Tanner was having fun but I'll admit the dog pics were a lot more fun for me when didn't have a dog of our own...but TanO is a dog guy.

Today we slipped up to the feed yard. Today I was up there taking pictures and I was just reflecting on how much I love that they get to go up there. So fun.

Colt's getting to where he can handle one of those little forks pretty good, he's pumped about it.

They had to get a few pets in.

Grampa told them to pic either ride the tractor or horse but we didn't have time for both today, they picked horse. Colt picket it too, I promise but holy cow we had a melt down. I would say an unexplained meltdown but the explanation is really just how bad Colt needed to nap!

Tanner's a cowboy though!

And speaking of cowboys-here mine are loaded up and ready to go to Poppa Greats viewing. 

We had a good discussion on the way over about the spirit and the body and that Grampa's body would be there but his Spirit is not. The boys wanted to check things out right away. 

Cannon really just didn't want to wear his hat but I love him standing there holding it-It just seems respectful. After a quick look Colt went to the display table for a Hershey Kiss, one for him, and one for Poppa Great. So. Dang. Cute. I fumbled for my phone but didn't get the camera back going again quite quick enough. It was really sweet though, brought my folks bout to tears. I don't really know if its appropriate to have taken a picture...I didn't think about it then...
Cannon wanted to touch him, and of course Colt followed suit. Then Cannon was pretty wigged out that his hands didn't feel normal. He said "slimy" hmm probably not the right adjective bud.

I wanted a picture of the boys by Grampa's saddle...

Tanner was so tired but still pretty smiley, that was fun. He made lots of friends and scored some Aunt Laur snuggles too.
Grampa's Obituary.

Santa Clara, Utah – Leland J Frei, 89, was welcomed home into the arms of his loving wife and daughter on January 28, 2017. He passed away of age related causes. Lee was born August 26, 1927 the fourth of six boys born to J. Claude and Leda Hafen Frei in Santa Clara, Utah; where, with the exception of a couple of years, he has lived all his life. The old ways of Santa Clara and his roots were very important to him. Lee married Karen Rose Cannon on October 5th 1955. He helped his dad and brothers as they raised produce, planting, picking and selling in the fruit stands that used to line old Hwy 91 through town. He raised hay, oats for silage, cattle and most importantly five children. They worked with him and he taught them how to work, and work hard.  His children knew he loved them.   Lee started driving truck for Rocky Mountain Produce at a very young age; he later drove for Milne Truck Lines for 35 years. He drove truck for his livelihood and to support his family but after he retired he really went to work, farming and ranching full time with his brothers, something he loved and had always wanted to do.  He loved the meadow at Panguitch Lake where the cows grazed in the summers, and the Dutchman’s Ranch where they gathered their cattle in the fall.  He was loyal to his family, and known as a hard worker.

Lee is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, wife and daughter Patti: He is survived by his children: Allen Lee (Jeannette), Laurie Rosaschi (Dale), Jayne Mock (Kevin), Jerry Clare (Barb); grandchildren: Klinton Allen Frei, Lyndi Frei Ison, Kyler Lee Frei, Jacob Clare Frei, Jordan Lee Mock, Rachel Lynn Frei, Kamryn Mock, Shad Lee Rosaschi, Lydia Dawn Frei, Jedadiah Clay Frei, Josiah Lee Frei; and 8 great grandchildren.

The family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Southern Utah Veterans Home and their staff for the loving dedicated care they have shown to dad.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 4, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the Santa Clara LDS 5th Ward Chapel, 3040 West Santa Clara Drive, Santa Clara, Utah. Visitations will be held Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd. and on Saturday, prior to services, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in the Santa Clara City Cemetery.

The little song we made up the Great Grandkids are going to sing at the dinner after the services tomorrow. It's to the tune of Oh My Darlin Clementine. I hope to post a movie next week. We'll see.

Grampa Greats Jingle

Poppa Great Poppa Great Poppa Great we love you so!

You're in heaven with Great Grama, and your happy now we know 

Candy Dishes with Hershey Kisses and some Mr. Goodbars too 

If it's a milkshake make it chocolate, if it's a color make it blue 

Grab a donut and a Pepsi head o'er hill in ole Betsy

Gotta go and check the water 'fore your cows get any hotter

Trucks from the toy drawer scatter your floor as we drive a million miles
Poppa Great we will remember you with lots and lots of smiles

With a chuckle we'll Pound some knuckles as we try to say goodbye

We will meet again, can't wait to see your grin, oh we love you great Grampa Frei

I had a few pics from the  normal part of the week...my mom said maybe I should have done 2 posts...oh yeah, I didn't think of that. Oh well. Here they are!