Grandpa's Funeral

After a two year health roller coaster ride, my grandpa passed away on August 28, 2009. We planned a quick trip back to Utah for the viewing and funeral. Twelve hours to Utah in time for the viewing, the funeral on Saturday, and then twelve hours back home on Sunday. It was physically and emotionally draining.

I think my grandpa's casket is the most beautiful casket I have ever seen - AND it suits him perfectly. Knotty pine is a perfect description of how he built him home and his family cabin. I immediately started to cry the instant I saw the beauty of this casket.

I am so heartbroken at the loneliness in my grandma's eyes. I can only imagine how empty she must feel knowing that her husband of 67 years is gone. They have been side by side, holding hands for so long - it saddens me to think she will be alone.

This is the bouquet my father sent with the following message, "Reed, Now when I look up to the heavens and see the sun rise and the sunset, I will know who painted them." Gosh, that makes my eyes swell still. Such a beautiful sentiment that is so true. I will never look at a beautiful sunset the same.

Here is our big, amazing family. I believe only 13 people are missing - 2 left early, one was taking his mother home, two are on missions, two great-grandchildren weren't allowed to travel out of state - and off the top of my head I can't remember where the others were. But it's the most we've had in one spot in a long time.

This is one of my favorite pictures of my grandparents. I used to work at KRON-4 in San Francisco. One of their trips out here I was able to treat them to a live viewing of the newscast. We got to sit in the newsroom and then Wendy Takuda and Tom Sinkovitz (both now on different news channels - yay for them) asked them to sit at the anchor desk to take a picture. Now, what makes this so special is the fact that they shared this picture and story at their dinner group. If you made it in a story at dinner group, it mattered to them.

I LOVE YOU REED HOWEY HENDERSON!!!
September 27, 1922 - August 28, 2009

Back to School ~ 2009

OH HAPPY DAY!!!!! The boys are back in school!!! Ahhhh, no more fighting on a daily basis - or at least for hours a day. :) I cannot believe how fast life has gone by. Mack is off to the 4th Grade. This is such a big year. He's in Ms. Vogensen's class. She's rumored to be a toughie, but she says she doesn't know how that rumor started. :) So far she seems great (but we're in week 3) - :) And today I learned that parents have a hard time transitioning to 4th grade as well. I kept some papers that I was supposed to return - oops! So poor Mack had to go to study hall the past two Fridays instead of Reward Recess - and it is probably my fault. SORRY MACK!

Cooper is heading off to 2nd Grade. He's a little more nervous to start school this year. He's not good with change. We got to his classroom and he knew many of the kids in his class, but he just sat at his desk and looked at everyone. THEN - Maddie Sanna walked in and he finally smiled and looked relaxed. Maddie's dad is in Mo's band - he's the drummer. So I think since Cooper has been around Maddie this summer, that put him at ease. I was relieved. Cooper has Mr. Liedstrand. All I hear is that he is great. He and the other male 2nd grade teacher gets together and makes music and art a bigger part of the curriculum than the other teachers. Apparently they are in a band together as well.

Next year, Molly will go to pre-school. I'll enjoy our time together for now!

Utah ~ July 2009

My mom and I drove the kids to Utah to visit family. I am so lucky to have wonderful cousins who have kids the same age as my kids. They all love to play together. Just like when I was a kid playing with my cousins. I just wish we all lived closer. I haven't convinced everyone to move to California though - and they haven't convinced me to move back to Utah. :) We stayed pretty busy. Bowling, Neon mini-golf, rodeo, swimming, dinosaur park, dancing, and playing. FUN FUN FUN!!!

Welcome to our Blog!

Well I thought I'd continue with my online addiction by creating a blog for our family moments - hence, Moylan Moments. :) Enjoy!