I am so sad to have lost my sweet, sweet sister this past Wednesday, as she succumbed to the effects of Alzheimer's. 
 Over the last few days, I have pondered my many memories of her, the fun times we spent together, and as an older sister, she was always such a wonderful example to me. About one month after she and Ray adopted Matt, she found out she was pregnant. I always remember her chasing two boys, just 9 months apart, and how she managed it all with grace and patience.  She and Ray began dating when she was in high school, and Ray's old blue convertible (sorry, I am not a car person, so I don't know what kind of car it was)became a staple in our driveway. The first semester that Francie was away at BYU, Ray was baptized.  A year later, they were married and sealed in the Los Angeles Temple. Some of my favorite more recent memories of Francie are the days we spent at Napa -  eating, playing cards, sitting around the fire pit listening to Ken's friend, Gordon, who sounds just like James Taylor (just for fun, click on the link below), and exploring some of the local antique markets.  https://youtu.be/g4ITQRiVg04?si=D7SAv_zNJtLgejcb

Francie and Ray came to Colorado for a conference several years ago, and they wanted to see Pikes Peak - I mean, really see it - so Kevin drove us up, and Francie was terrified the whole way that the car was going to go over the edge. However, since that time, when we would go to California for a visit or talk on the phone,  she would always ask about "her" mountain.  

  It was surprising how quickly her health declined over the last three weeks.  But I know it is a blessing for her to be reunited with Ray, and with our Mom and Dad.  She will be so missed!  I am thankful I have Pikes Peak to remind me of her every day ❤.  

 And thank you so much to each one of our wonderful children who took the time to call us and share their love and concern. 

 You are the Best!

 

HAPPY NEWS THIS WEEK ~

 We get to celebrate Cory's birthday on Tuesday, Jan 27th ❤🎉🎈❤🎂🍨❤

 I can't imagine our family without her - she is a wonderful wife, mother, daughter, and friend - and she has taught me so many things.  One of my favorite memories of Cory was when we lived in Tucson, and Adam and Cory came down from Provo, and we drove down to Nogales to do some shopping across the border.  I can't remember exactly what it was that we were looking at (I think maybe rugs) but Cory was the Queen of bargaining, so much so, that the little Mexican shopkeeper ran out of the shop still trying to talk her into purchasing his goods (at his price, of course). I can still hear him yelling "20 dollar, 20 dollar" down the street.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CORY - HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!

Angella is doing well, recovering from her knee replacement surgery.  She is able to get around (carefully) and when she is off her feet, Hollie, Ben, and Eilis are around to give her a hand.  She has decided to take some extra time off of work, so she can start physical therapy, and hopefully that will help with the healing process.

Samantha has recovered from gallbladder surgery, and on Wednesday, she took Jake to an Avalanche Hockey game in Denver.  She is such a great sister - it was her gift to Jake for his birthday.  Apparently, they sat next to a "grandma and grandpa" who were quite taken with Jake, and during an intermission, they wanted to buy him something from the gift shop.  

 So he picked out this huge chain 😂

 Really, can anyone look at this picture and just not smile????

Adam, not wanting to be left out, took Paul Friday night to an Avalanche game -

They had a great time, though the Avalanche lost.  I don't think I could ever be too much of a hockey fan because it is just as cold inside the arena as it is outside (well, maybe not this week).   

  Has everyone survived the arctic cold weather?  Kim and Kate had bitter,  subzero temperatures last week, and the problem is that it is so humid in the Midwest that the cold feels even colder.  Colorado hasn't been too bad - in the high teens and low 20's, just cold enough that Sendai's walks are not as far or as long, and they normally are.  

  

 Kim sent me this photo of Blythe bundled up with her blanket scarf, trying to get warm ⛄

 

These cute boys will both be turning 8 in the next couple of months.  Sayre's birthday is February 7th, and he will be baptized the following day after Church.   Ben's birthday is March 24th. I can't believe how quickly they have grown up 😥

Kate sent me a photo today of the book nook they made out of Sayre's closet - What a great idea! 

Today, in my Primary class, we were talking about agency and the blessings we receive from being able to choose the path we want to follow.  I love the idea that we will all make mistakes and make wrong choices sometimes during our lives - I know I still do.  But without my mistakes, I would never learn. And sometimes I have to repeat the mistake until I finally get it right.  To me this is just another example of how much our Savior loves us.  That he allows us to keep trying until finally we get it right.

I love you all so much!  Send me photos this week.  Let me know what great adventures you are having, or if there is anything I can do for you ❤