Visit with Grandma Carlson

Sometimes traveling for work is really a blessing!  I had a short work trip to Phoenix which allowed me to spend time with my Grandma Carlson.  I haven't seen her since my mom's funeral.

Max had fun while I was gone.

Grandma gave me a tour of her house since this was my first time there.  It smelled like my Grandma and definitely felt like her house even though it wasn't the house she lived in for the majority of my life.  It was so great to be able to see her and talk to her.  I sure love my Grandma!  

We went to dinner at Dairy Queen along with my Aunt Nancy and Uncle Bert.  I told Grandma I wanted to take her out for mother's day and she could pick anywhere she wanted.  She picked Dairy Queen (she told me that it was a special dairy queen that was very good).  :)  Not where I would have picked but hey, it was Grandma's choice!

After dinner we went back to Grandma's and Nancy came over to visit as well.  We enjoyed looking through old photo albums and catching up.

Brittany, our cousin Steve, and Kimberly

My cute little Brittany - 5 years old.  :)

Me and my Grandma

Man, was it hard to leave.  I sure love her.  I hate that I live so far away from so many members of my family.  I wish it could be like it was when I was growing up where all my grandparents and most of my aunts/uncles/and cousins lived within a 45 minute drive.

I AM GRATEFUL that Max gets to be close to some of his cousins.  These boys are great playmates.

Double trouble

Notice his pajama pants that are dragging on the floor?  Yup.  That's how short he is.  These are size 18 to 24 month.

Playing dress up at Brittany's house.

Max on May 17...

• We are able to negotiate with him when he's eating.  So we can say 1 more bite of chicken and you can have more milk.  He understands this and will either take that bite or just say no to both.
• He calls Peter "Peter" more than he calls him "Dad"
• When he has gas he calls it a "poot"
• He is aware of when he has pooped and will let you know (if you didn't know already from seeing him stand there grunting or you smell it....joy)
• He is an expert at giving raspberries, especially on your arm

Tailgating at a Funeral

While the reason for the gathering was sad, it was also a joyous time to have all the Carlson family gather together in SLC to celebrate Grandpa Carlson's life. All of the immediate cousins were able to come except for A.J and Chad and Adam Carlson. I hadn't seem some of my cousins for many years so we had a lot of fun visiting.

The day before the viewing, the family that was in town gathered at the club house in my mom's neighborhood and visited while grubbing down on pizza.

At the viewing, one of the extended family members came prepared with snacks for everyone. These snacks were ready to go in Clay's trunk for anyone who wanted them. I thought it was something Grandpa would have really enjoyed - tailgating at a funeral. :)

Kimberly and Brittany both drove up with their kids and my dad drove up as well. I wish AJ would have been able to come but it's understandable with a brand new baby why he couldn't make it.

Konrad, Ashlee, cousin Derek Hansen, Kimberly and Tyler

One moment at the viewing had us all in stitches - - A bunch of us were sitting in the lobby visiting. Tyler Amos (my 7 yr old nephew) had found a boy to play with and was starting to get a little wound up. So Kimberly separated the two. The other boy went into the next room where another viewing was taking place. A few minutes later he came out and announces excitedly to Tyler (as well as the rest of us) as he gestures into the room he was just in "there's another dead body in there!!!" It was like he was on his own episode of CSI. We all cracked up at the humor of this child's innocence and wonder. So there we all are trying to be respectful of the place we are in while completely doubling over in laughter. Grandpa would have gotten a kick out this one as well. :)

Cousin Heather Fairbanks visiting with Clay and Leanne Riding

After the viewing, Peter and I went to have dinner with the Riding family at In-N-Out. Oh so yummy and Clay is a big fan as well. I knew there was a reason I liked him so much!

The funeral fell on a gloomy/rainy day. It was a wonderful service filled with memories of and tributes to Grandpa. He was a wonderful man. I think the moment that stayed with the most was when Steve Brown recounted how each time you left Grandpa and Grandma's house, Grandpa would meet you at the door, kiss your head, and tell he sure loved you and was glad that you came over. One of these times I want to write a blog about some of my favorite memories of him but for now, check out Ashlee's blog because she is spot on. Ashlee also did a beautiful job speaking at the funeral. I was so impressed with how she held herself together and spoke. It was hard enough listening to all the tender things being said and thinking about Grandpa without having to speak, too. All the grandchildren and spouses got up and sang the primary song "Love is Spoken Here".


When we walked out of the chapel to go to the burial ground, there was a fresh coat of snow waiting for us on the ground and on our cars. Luckily, Peter and I had bought an umbrella earlier that day but I should have also bought some real shoes because I was in sandals (brrrrrr).

Grandma and Aunt Nancy

The Pallbearers from Left to Right - all cousins

Richard Kenyon, Konrad Crabtree, Danny Brown, Derek Hansen, Dorian Ayala, Alec, Preston Carlson, Steve Brown

After the burial, we went to meet my Dad at Sizzler with Kimberly, Britt and the kids. My uncle Brent Nelson also was there and I haven't seen him in years so it was a family reunion there, too. My dad is looking better than he has in a year and seems to be feeling better. I hope that this next year bring good health for him.

All the Carlson clan met back up at a church building for dinner. We had BBQ and visited. It is crazy how big this family is (and everyone wasn't there!). As always happens, eventually the cards come out and we a bunch of us played Scum. It was so much fun that we decided to meet up again after all the little ones were in bed at the hotel most everyone was staying at to play some more. With the addition of the last of the tailgate treats, dessert left from dinner, and some soda, we were ready to go! We played until nearly midnight. It was so enjoyable and makes me really miss living close to family. It's hard when people are spread so far away and it's sad that we aren't getting to enjoy each other as adults.

Peter, Preston Carlson, and Heather Fairbanks

Peter and I with Grandma Carlson The Brinton/Hansen Family The Riding Family
The Carlson Family
The Brown Family
1/2 the group of late-night card players

Peter, Steve, Konrad, Preston, Julie, Derek, Ashlee, Heather

The other 1/2 of the group

Derek, Ashlee, Heather, Clay, Michelle, Laura, Me, Danny

I hope we are all able to get together soon. It saddened me when I looked around and would realize Grandpa wasn't there. But I am also happy that he doesn't have to struggle with his failing health anymore. I am so grateful to have had him in my life.

Grandpa Carlson

I have put off posting about the passing of my Grandpa Carlson for over 2 months. I just don't want to type the words or deal with the feelings that come when I think about the memories. But, it's time to get it done.

Here is what was written in his obituary:

LeRoy Carl Carlson returned to his heavenly home, and to the Savior whom he loved and served, on March 4, 2010 in Gilbert, Ariz., following a gradual decline in health over the last few years. Roy was born on January 10, 1925 in Salt Lake City to Carl and Caroline Strand Carlson. His father died when he was 4 and his only brother died when he was 10. He was raised in a loving home with his sweet mother and four sisters. He graduated from South High School in 1942. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1944 and trained as a bombardier/navigator. After his military service was completed he met and married the love of his life, Joan Crebs, in 1947.

Roy worked as a jeweler in Salt Lake City, Idaho Falls, and Lewiston, Idaho. He then worked as an instrument maker at Dugway Proving Ground, where he designed timing and photographic instruments for government tests. He held many callings in the LDS Church including scout master, high counselor, stake president in the Tooele North Stake, and served as a bishop's counselor and as stake president's counselor in the Orem Suncrest Stake. Roy and Joan also served an LDS church mission to Independence, Mo.

His family remembers all the fun times with him. He was in a dance band in the 1940s and over the following decades his children and grandchildren loved to heard him play his saxophone. He loved to fish and was never happier than when grandchildren caught their first fish. He enjoyed camping, water sports, sleigh-riding, dancing the swing, and BYU sports.

Roy lived as though the Savior walked beside him every day. He never did an unkind or dishonest thing in his life. His family is grateful for such a loving and sweet father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Joan, and their four children: Leanne (Clay) Riding, Robert (Gaynelle) Carlson, Nancy (Bert) Brinton, Susan (Arnel) Brown; their 17 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren; two of his sisters, Ruth (Dick) Dangerfield and Ann Null; as well as Carol Nelson, who is like a daughter, and her family. Roy was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Henry; two sisters, Margie Burgener and Elsie Bauer; and a grandson, Chris Carlson.

His funeral will be held at Wasatch lawn Mortuary on Saturday, March 13 at noon. There will be a viewing Friday Night from 6-8 p.m. and on Saturday at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers please make donations to LDS Philanthropy, PO Box 27188, Provo, Utah 84602.