Trip to Utah, June 2013, and Fathers' Day

With the upcoming marriage of our first grandson and me done with teaching, I was able to go out to Utah a week early to attend all of the festivities before the wedding.  I love to go to Utah in the summer when there is no snow, the days are warm, and the evenings are cool.  That is the best time of the year in Utah.  This is the scene from the covered deck of our son, Kevin's home. 

 Standing on the deck, I love to hear the little man-made spring running down the hill.  It makes me think I'm really in the mountains again.

 

There's even a little birdbath.

 Notice:  There is still snow on the highest mountain peaks!

Father's Day 2013.  While I was in Utah, it was Fathers' Day.  I love thinking of the wonderful fathers in my life.  Kevin, our oldest son, who has five children, is a great teaching father.

 

  I had to take a picture with Koda in it.  He considers Kevin his dad, too!

 Here are three of Kevin's children (Hannah, Lauren, and Kade), with two of Kent's:  Ethan and Ella.  The cousins always have so much fun together.

 In the meantime, back in Florida, I was so happy that George got to spend the afternoon with Kyle's family.  They met in Daytona for a lunch there.  Kyle is a wonderful, loving dad to three children:  Brady, Carter, and Jenna. 

This is the only picture they sent me of Kim in the picture.  Brady and Jenna definitely had sun in their eyes, but they are still adorable!

 John, with his four boys when we were in Australia with their family.  John loves his boys and loves new experiences.

Jeff, with his three children.  I love how he always tells the kids bedtime stories that somehow end up with teaching correct principles.

Cameron, who has four children.  Such a patient dad with not only his children, but everyone he meets.

Kent, with his three children.  No matter how busy he is, he still finds time to help the children have wonderful experiences and know that they are loved.

Craig, our newest dad, with his two children.  He is loving being a dad and learning new things about kids every day!

 Of course, my father--such a loving father, grandfather, and now great-grandfather.  At 90 years old, he is still going strong with his love for his family, love for his Heavenly Father, and love for my mother who he's looking forward to reuniting with someday.

Fun Times in Utah.  Hannah couldn't wait to show me the new little colt that had been born right next door.

Hannah was, also, very excited when she got the new bike that she's been wanting.


One day, Craig, Cassie, and I met Alison and some of her kids at Hang Time--a giant trampoline and jumping place.  The kids had such a great time--and so did the adults watching them and visiting with each other.

Go, Preston

Yeh, Riley!

Taylor came by for awhile and hadn't seen Craig yet.  So many people came into Utah for his special day.

Wow, Kade!  He was so patient to help the little kids and then showed them some real tricks!

Just wait until Kennedy gets a little older--she'll be out there doing some amazing things, too!

See what I mean about Kade--he is always so good with the little kids with his loving heart.

Kennedy just had fun watching all the action.

Riley was having a hard time getting out of the giant foam pit, so Craig went in to help him.

Now, who was going to help the dad out?  Hah!

Preston loved jumping, but even more than that . . .

He loved working on his basketball even more!

 

 

 See that big smile?  Riley was having the time of his life!

 Hannah loved the mats where she could show me all the new stunts she has been learning in her cheer leading class.

 Wow!!!  She is doing so great!

 Now Lauren--how do they do that?

 Fantastic, Lauren!

 Tyson, Hannah, and Lauren.  Cousins having so much fun together!

After Hang Time, we went over to see if we could help Taylor and Ellie get moved into their new apartment.

 I was so impressed with their organization.  Tomorrow they would be getting married, but today they wanted everything organized in their first home so that when they got back from their honeymoon, they could have the whole place ready for their new life together.

 They both look exhausted after taking boxes from each of their homes and then climbing up three flights of stairs to their apartment, but they didn't quit until they were finished. 

 Kade was so cute to keep the little ones busy.

 I took this picture standing on the balcony of Taylor and Ellie's new apartment.  What fun to have a pioneer village right next to them!  When we have time next time we go there, I want to visit it!

Hannah and Lauren were, also, so good to play with the little ones.  Can you tell how much Riley likes Legos and having fun with cousins?

Now, to one of the most pleasant surprises we had while we were in Utah.  After George arrived about a week after I had, we received a call from Hua, the Chinese girl who had married the young man (Thuyen) who we had sponsored back in the 70s when so many Vietnamese were trying to get out of Viet Nam.  Thuyen and his sister, Binh, lived with our family for a few months, and then we helped them find an apartment near us.  Our lives were entwined for so many years, but after awhile, I sadly lost track of them after moving to Florida.  Lo, and behold, she had Kevin's number and just happened to call while we were out there!  We were thrilled!  

This is Hua and her sister.  She has financed this little bakery which is directly across the street from the hospital in Murray, Utah.  They make everything handmade, and it is all delicious! 

This is Andrew, her son she had with Thuyen.  The last time we saw Andrew, he was probably about six years old.  He has grown into such a fine, handsome son of 22 years old who is preparing for medical school.  We are so proud of Hua.  Through her hard work and wonderful business mind, she has helped about 28 of her relatives start business such as restaurants and nail salons.  It is so sad that Thuyen is no longer married to her because of the choices he made.  She told us that he is a card dealer in one of the Vegas casinos.

This is Andrew's girlfriend who is from Korea.  She was darling and so sweet to us.  She told us that Andrew was so appreciative of us, and said he would never have been able to come to America without us.

We were so happy that Alison and Kevin got to go with us.  She remembered them so well, and also asked about Kyle.  I can't believe she can remember everyone's names!

In the meantime, she fed us a wonderful lunch of Chinese sandwiches and fantastic pastries for dessert.  She refused to take any money for anything!  We couldn't believe her generosity!  In addition, she gave me a beautiful purse, George some socks, and a wonderful wedding gift of dishes for us to take back to Taylor and Ellie.

As we were leaving, her sister brought out a beautiful birthday cake that she had decorated because we told them we wanted to purchase one for John and Natalie's birthday.  We were going to have a joint birthday party for them that evening.  Again, she wouldn't let us pay a dime!  Isn't it amazing the work they do?!

That evening at Kevin and Angie's home, we had a barbeque for John and Natalie, and we included Ella, too, because hers was going to be about a week later.  Such fun!

Although our main reason for going to Utah was for Taylor and Ellie's wedding, we were able to make many more wonderful memories, too!

Memorial Day, Graduation 2013 for George, 45th Wedding Anniversary, Last Day of Teaching

So many events to post about--so little time.  But, I will take a few minutes to download some pictures of some events that were very special this year.

Memorial Day, 2013.  On Memorial Day, George and I met Malcolm and Elda (George's sister), at the cemetery in Jacksonville to decorate their parents' grave.  It was a beautiful day for all of us to remember the Copeland heritage, and we all enjoyed it very much.

George's dad, Jim (James), died in 1992 at the age of 83 due to incidence of old age.  His mother, Ruby, died six years later at the age of 87 due to complications of Alzheimer's disease.  They both lived truly exemplary lives of the gospel and family.

Grandpa Jim's brother, Henry and his wife, Ethel, are also buried right in that area. 

Right next to Uncle Henry and Aunt Ethel's grave is the grave of their son (George's cousin), who died in a terrible automobile accident at the age of 22 years old.  George remembers that day so well--it was so tragic.

Uncle Henry and Aunt Ethel's daughter is, also, buried there.  Her husband is still living.

The Cheshire's had a son who had childhood leukemia and died before his ninth birthday.

Grandpa Jim's sister, Nancy, is also buried right by them.  I was in the family by then, but I don't believe I ever met her.

Another brother of Grandpa Jim's, Raymond and his wife Lucille, are buried there by them, too.  It is quite the Copeland spot under those beautiful oak trees.

George was remembering and talking about some of the family fondly.

In the meantime, in Rexburg, Idaho, my dad has carried on the tradition of decorating my mother's grave, as well as his parents, grandparents, and in-laws graves that he watched his mother do all while he grew up.  He, also, has a little memorial for all of those who can attend.  I would love to go to that next year since I will no longer be working and can probably attend.  The last time we went was several years ago as you can tell by this picture:

 It has now been 11 years since my mother, Lola, died of colon cancer.  My dad has seriously done such a great job of carrying on traditions, as well as being both the grandpa and grandma in many situations to all of his posterity.  

 Graduation, 2013, Clay County Schools.  In what may be the last graduation that George represents the Clay County School District, he helped with the Fleming Island High School graduation.  It was a beautiful evening with over 700 graduates!

George congratulating the graduates while handing them their diplomas.  With so many graduates, half went on one side to George while the other half went on the other side to Lisa Graham, a member of the school board.

Forty-Fifth Wedding Anniversary, June 5. 

The night of our engagement.  We went back to my parents' house to show them my ring.  George especially likes this picture, because he still could turn his neck at that time.

 For fun, we went upstairs to my grandparents' home to take this picture.  I dressed in my sister Joyce's outfit that she wore in melodramas in West Yellowstone, and George dressed up in my grandfather's old suit.  I love this picture!

 So, forty-five years later, along with seven children, their seven spouses, and twenty-five grandchildren, we celebrate again.  It has become a joke that I always take a picture of George eating ice cream.  Hah!  We had a wonderful dinner at Outback, and when they heard we were celebrating our anniversary, they brought us ice cream.  Just what the doctor ordered for the end of a wonderful meal! 

Yes, forty-five years!  I have a hard time visualizing myself before marriage--but I definitely married my best friend.  Through thick and thin, I know we can count on each other and have tried to make a wonderful home for our family no matter where we have lived.  Thanks, George, for the great husband and father that you have been.  May we have many more wonderful years together!

June 6, 2013--Final Day of Teaching.  The next day, I had to take one final picture of my classroom as I walked out on it forever--26 years of teaching behind me.  Was I sad?  A little--I have loved doing what I have been doing or I wouldn't have stayed with it so long, but I am definitely looking forward to the next phase of my life--wherever the Lord wants George and me to be.