A Tribute to Grandpa...

Most of you already know that I lost my Grandpa a few weeks ago. Even though it was blessing for him to leave his weary body, it is still a hard process for those left behind. I will miss seeing him sitting in his chair with a wry grin on his face when I walk in Grandma and Grandpa's house. He would always tell each girl that she was his favorite. (I know where my dad gets it from). His homemade soup and quick wit are treasures to be missed.  He truly was  a talented man in both music and art.  I feel like I cannot give a tribute any better than my sister's. So I encourage you, if you haven't already, to read her tribute posted on her blog,  thereddfam@blogspot.com.  I do, however, want to include his message to us. My grandpa left us all with some words of advice that I think everyone can benefit from. If you never knew my Grandpa, this will give you a little taste of his adorable personality that I will miss so much. His last words of advice to all of us, from the final pages of his Life History:

"To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven.

A time to blow you chorus

   and a time to put your horn away.

A time to paint your masterpiece

   and a time to put your brushes away.

A time to be born

   and a time to die.

I, Russell Dean Shepherd, realizing that I have reached the ending of my life do lay my pen aside and make an end of my writings. Peace be with you my friend, and I will see you in a season or so. In the meantime, some advice...

LOVE thyself.

You cannot LOVE someone else if you cannot love thyself.

   LOVE your loved ones with an unconditional and charitable LOVE and care for one another.

Family is your most prized possession.

   LOVE your fellow men.

And LOVE the gospel of Jesus Christ and make it an important part of your life.

      LOVE IS THE SECRET!

   Click your Heels, pull the curtain, and put out the light.

I AM OUT OF HERE!

This is the last day, my friend!

...I THOUGHT THEY WOULD NEVER END!"

the Zoo!

How cute is that face?


So, we had a family outing to the zoo! I hadn't been forever so it was lots of fun, especially with the nieces. I love those monkeys. Doesn't it make you want to take one home? And how about those elephant bums? Hey, you gotta work with what you are given.

Summer Fun

Here is our fun vacation for the summer. Well, actually it was during Memorial Day weekend but this is about all we have done since then. So much fun going with our friends! We had a few complainers during the hike to the arches but it was my first time there so it was very cool. How can you live in Utah and never actually see the famous sites?! Ya, that was me. That was my first trip to Moab, let alone going to the Arches National Park. We also went on some good four-wheeling rides and checked out the "rock crawler" jeeps going up some insane canyons. Have you ever watched them? So entertaining! So intense!! I was scared to death watching them but I loved every second it.

My darling niece, Cienna Claire

Luckily, I was able to fly up to Nova Scotia before my sister had her second little girl, Cienna Claire. I flew in on Thursday and then Brooke was induced the next day, March 30th. It was the most amazing thing to be there. She is so precious and beautiful. What a miracle!