Just a few hours before our wonderful day on Oct 3rd, Brenda's paternal Grandfather, age 94, passed away. We were not entirely surprised as Grandma had died just 5 months earlier, and he was so lonely without her. Here are some photos taken with Grandpa and Grandma last year.The timing of Grandpa's death was particularly hard for Brenda's Dad, as he was in town visiting us and thus was not there with his father when he died. It appears Grandpa died from injuries sustained from accidentally falling out of his recliner chair. Dad spent several hours almost every single day the past 2 years visiting Grandpa, so I am sure Grandpa was keenly aware of Dad's love, care and concern for him. Grandma and Grandpa both flew out to be with us 8 years ago when we had Claire sealed to us, and he was excited for us for our day with Aspen. So after our wonderful weekend with our dear family and friends, we all 4 flew off to Utah for Grandpa's funeral.
It took 2 days from the day Grandpa fell until he died, and the day after his fall, he said to the nurse attending to him, "I think I am a dying man, what do I have to do to get a piece of apple pie and some vanilla ice cream?" So off the nurse went, happy to try accomodate what was to be his final request. She went to the cafeteria to ask the chef if there was any apple pie by chance. 
The chef just that morning had decided to bake some pies, and had to decide between making apple or cherry and had decided on apple, so out of the oven came some hot, fresh apple pies! The nurse, quite delighted, ran back up to Grandpa to bring him his request. Grandpa was so grateful and he enjoyed his final piece of pie! He finished the pie and ice cream, thanked the nurse for helping him, and then he turned to the wall and waited, as if he expected to pass away right at that moment. It was only a few hours before he began to slip into sleep and his vital signs began dropping rapidly and within a few more hours he was gone. He was surrounded by 4 of his 5 children, and by Brenda's oldest brother representing Brenda's father. They all said what a sweet experience it was to be there. An Uncle later likened it to birth, that we don't know exactly when it will happen, how long it will take, or whether it will be painful. But it is part of the beautiful, amazing circle of life, and we were all blessed by the man that slipped peacefully away at that moment.
The chef just that morning had decided to bake some pies, and had to decide between making apple or cherry and had decided on apple, so out of the oven came some hot, fresh apple pies! The nurse, quite delighted, ran back up to Grandpa to bring him his request. Grandpa was so grateful and he enjoyed his final piece of pie! He finished the pie and ice cream, thanked the nurse for helping him, and then he turned to the wall and waited, as if he expected to pass away right at that moment. It was only a few hours before he began to slip into sleep and his vital signs began dropping rapidly and within a few more hours he was gone. He was surrounded by 4 of his 5 children, and by Brenda's oldest brother representing Brenda's father. They all said what a sweet experience it was to be there. An Uncle later likened it to birth, that we don't know exactly when it will happen, how long it will take, or whether it will be painful. But it is part of the beautiful, amazing circle of life, and we were all blessed by the man that slipped peacefully away at that moment.It was really good to be with family again, despite the circumstances. The funeral service itself was beautiful and peaceful. Brenda's Dad gave the eulogy for his father, and it was heartwarming to be reminded of what a wonderful man he was and of all the good he accomplished in his life time and the legacy he and Grandma left behind.
It was a freezing cold day, so the grave side service was short, but wonderful. At the graveside Brenda's brother Orrin the 3rd (named after Grandpa) played Taps on his trumpet.
Grandpa was honored with a flag ceremony by some representatives of the US Armed Forces,
and then they gave the flag to Brenda's Dad with a final salute.Here is a photo of Brenda's Dad and oldest brother, both named after Grandpa.
Here is Claire at Grandpa's graveside with Brenda's sister Natalie. When we were making plans to go to Grandpa's funeral, Claire had to make a decision if she wanted to go to the funeral, or stay home with David so they could attend a Daddy-Daughter dance that was scheduled for the same weekend. She thought about it for a bit and then told us that although she was really looking forward to the dance with Daddy, she knew it was more important to go and be with family. She is go grown up for age 8.We all enjoyed being able to spend unexpected time with siblings, cousins, parents and Grandparents.
Here we all are outside the temple with David's mom and her husband and Brenda's parents. You've never seen prouder Grandparents! 3 of Brenda's sisters and one brother were also there, along with one of Claire and Aspen's cousins and about 40 dear friends. Below is a photo of our 2 "cherubic", precious daughters.
Next are some photos of Brenda's siblings and friends. In one photo Brenda is talking to a good friend who called from Australia, she called specifically during dinner so she could be part of the celebration somehow. 
