Memorial Day and Ireland Reunion

We had a traditional Memorial Day today attending the community service at the cemetery and then going to the Ireland reunion for a potluck meal and visiting. It was a smaller group than usual of relatives at the reunion this year, but the living siblings of Sam's dad were there. The food was good as always and we enjoyed seeing those who came.

The "Centennial Choir" sang three patriotic songs for the
program held at the cemetery in the morning.
Mike Olsen gave the keynote address.
(I'm in the red coat second from the right.)


Sam, Weston, and Rachel by their Grandpa Harold
and Grandma Mabel's headstone.


Harold and Mabel's two sons: Sam and Roy.


Howard and Mary Ireland are buried in this section
of the cemetery along with Oscar and Melvin who
died in World War II.
(Weston, Sam, Brent, Sam, and Rachel)

The Ireland Memorial gate


Shorty, Grandpa Harold's brother, is the last of the
brothers alive. He was instrumental in gathering
information for each of his siblings' descendants with
names and dates that will be available in
hard copy or on a CD for those wanting a copy.


Mable Ireland Einspahr celebrated her 90th birthday
yesterday and was at the reunion. The other
remaining sisters at the reunion:
Curly, Beanie, and Wilma; and also a sister-in-law, Jean.

Trent's Graduation and State Track Meet

On Saturday, May 21, the day's activities began at 7:30 a.m. with our grandson Trent's graduation from Broomfield High School in Colorado. The early morning start made it possible for Trent to receive his diploma and then leave immediately to compete in the finals of the state track meet in the 100, the 200, and the 400-meter races.

It had been previously arranged that as soon as Trent received his diploma, he would leave before the graduation ceremony was over in order to get to the State track meet for his first race.

Trent receiving his diploma from Broomfield High School.

Trent wore his warm-ups under his blue graduation cap and gown,
which he removed before I got an official graduation photo.
Sam (in photo) and I left with Trent's family for a hurried trip
to the JeffCo Stadium for the track meet. Trent's Grandma
and Grandpa Judd from Utah and his Aunt Sue and Uncle James
from California were also at the graduation and track meet.

We did get Trent to put his cap back on
for a photo with his sister, Brittney.

At their Conference track meet about ten days earlier, Trent had re-injured his hamstring. Last year, he had hurt his hamstring in the prelims at the State track meet and was unable to compete in the finals as a junior. As a sophomore, he had been the 100-meter state champion. Of course, it was disappointing that this year he would be handicapped with the hamstring injury, but at least he was able to compete and actually did very well placing third in all three races. It was nice having Trent's Aunt Sue, who is a physical therapist, there for help with his hamstring issues.

Trent (left) on his way to a 3rd place finish in the 100 Meter.
The runner in the middle pulled his hamstring in this race
and finished in last place, although he would otherwise
have been a contender for a top placing. The runner on
the right is from a private school and was the winner.

Trent on the winner's stand to receive his 3rd-place medal
in the 100 Meter.

Trent typically is first out of the blocks, although
the hamstring injury was a factor this day.
(400-meter race - State track meet)

Near the finish line of the 400-meter race.

Trent receiving his medal following his 3rd-place
finish in the 400 where he ran his personal best
in spite of the hamstring injury.

It looked like Trent was going to end up in 2nd place
in the 200 Meter, but right at the finish line his
placing changed to 3rd. The 1st place winner
also won 1st in the 100.

After the track meet, there were graduation parties to attend with visiting and delicious food. Graduating seniors from the church ward in Broomfield had a nice party at a park for family and friends that was well attended. They even had a fun air-filled plastic slide and a room with a bouncing floor for the younger children to enjoy.

Trent's display table with a photo collage and
basket for graduation cards.

We had gone to Denver on Thursday afternoon and stayed overnight with Bill and Karen in Scottsbluff, and we stopped for a brief visit on our way home after church on Sunday. We enjoyed our visit with them as well as the good Mexican food on Thursday and the Dairy Queen cake they served us on Sunday.

Three Special Days - Branding, Mother's Day, and a Wonderful Announcement

The weather on May 7th was nearly ideal for branding. We had a good group come to help even though it was reported that there were seven other brandings held that same Saturday in our county. At one count, Brent said there were 21 ropers helping at our branding; and adding to that the calf wrestlers and a few onlookers, we had a large group to feed. The earlier branding held last month was at our place, but Barbie had this one at their place. Barbie had fixed the turkey and roast beef, and Tauna and I helped with other items on the menu. The leftovers made for an easy meal the next day, too, for Mother's Day.

Some of the horse trailers parked
while they did the rounding up of the cows and calves
Saturday morning.

I had a nice Mother's Day and appreciated the Skype and phone visits and having Brent and Tauna's family coming over with a beautiful chrysanthemum plant and scented candles. The love I felt from each family member made the day very special for me.

An exciting message we received on Mother's Day was hearing that the first Stake for our church in Russia will be organized on June 5 in Moscow: the Moscow Russia Stake. We are so happy for the members there and wish we could be there with them for the occasion. Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will be the visiting General Authority.

Trip to Utah, Part 2 - Easter Time

Our trip to Utah with Curtis and Marla's family was short, but enjoyable; and we were pleased we could attend the BYU graduations for Sarah and Brittney as well as share Easter time with our family members in Utah.

On Saturday morning, April 22nd, Beth and I went with Megan and Amanda to their 4-H sewing activity where the girls made "quillows" (fleece blankets with a pocket which become a pillow when the blanket is folded inside the pocket). The girls took their own sewing machines and also took the cute stuffed frogs they had completed at home to show their sewing instructor.

Megan and Amanda sewing colorful fleece "quillows."


While we were at the 4-H sewing class, Jared and
his Grandpa Sam helped Todd shingle the chicken coop
Todd is building for their most recent chickens.

Although living in a residential area, Todd and Beth like their large backyard where in addition to enjoying the eggs from their chickens, they have a garden, fruit trees, and rabbits and have added beehives for their own honey. And, yes, they have the more usual pets, an indoor cat (Larry) and an outdoor large golden lab (Jack).

Amanda with one of the cute bunnies.


The mama rabbit has three babies,
but the favorite seems to be the white
and black one Megan is also holding.


As the children get older, the harder it is for the Graham
children to find their Easter baskets when they wake up
Easter morning; so Rebecca's was "hidden" on her highchair.
She seems very interested in discovering what the
Easter Bunny has brought her.


The Graham children ready for church Easter morning:
Ethan, Megan, Joshua, Amanda, and Jared;
and Rebecca is shown in the previous photo.

We appreciate Todd and Beth inviting family members to gather for meals and visiting in their home in Spanish Fork. Scott and Kristine left for home early Saturday morning, but Brittney and Danny came to join Curtis and Marla and girls, Sarah and Derek, Ryan and Tani's family, Doug and Shannon's family, and us at Todd and Beth's.

Relaxed visiting with some of the family members while
Rebecca and Isaac kept busy with their own activities.


So cute, I had to include a close-up!


Of course, there was a lot of good food to enjoy
and represented a joint effort by the families.
(Joshua, Jared, Megan, Amanda, Ethan, and Brady)


Several tables were set up in the garage where
some of the children ate.
(Brynlee, Jacob, Marisa, and Maggie)


Megan, Maren, and Amanda also eating in the garage.


The grandkids like to play games on Grandma Narene's iPad.
Isaac watches Joshua who is intent - probably
playing "Angry Birds."

Although our time in Utah was short, we came home with very happy memories of being with loved ones there.