Halloween

Well the time is here....Halloween Time!! Mom loved Halloween! I think it is fair to say that Halloween was her most favorite holiday. When we were young she always had so much fun dressing us kids up. Her and Grandma(Miller) had some pretty crazy ideas for us kids, and we loved every minute of it. Carving pumpkins was another fun thing that we all loved doing as a family. I'm sure Mom just loved cleaning up the mess we made too!

Jennie, Me (lazy eyes) holding Kade, Kelly, Lacey, and Kami

Lacey as Mickey and Kelly as Kissfur.

Jennie, Lacey, Kelly, and Me.

We loved going Trick-or-Treating. Mom and Dad would take us around to houses all over Egin, then we'd go to Parker. We used to get so much candy! It's fun to think back on all the adventures we had Trick-or-Treating. There was always a dog that we'd encounter that wanted to chew off our leg, or some elderly couple that just wanted to sit and visit....ALL NIGHT LONG! And the best is when we were gathering candy off the ground because one of us tripped in a hole or snow drift. Good times!

As we got older, the Trick-or-Treating faded but Mom decided to start having Halloween parties, and we all had to dress up!

The whole family.

Dad and us girls!

Kade, Mom, Dad and Kami (holding Buddy).

Lots and lots of laughs! Since Mom has been gone we've been good to carry on the tradition with the family Halloween party. It's not the same, but I know she's there laughing at all our crazy costumes! We love you Mom and we'll be thinking of you this Halloween!!!

Favorite Time of the Year

When asked, "What time of year is your favorite, and why?" This is what Mom wrote....

"My favorite time of the year....guess? FALL! I love the colors, the smell of the air with the people burning their leaves. Mostly the mountains, hunting bugling elk. The fall sky, how it is so clear at night time. Notice the big dipper and how it sits in the sky, all the other stars. In the day time the sky is so blue." Then a little while later on the same page Mom wrote this, " Jamie I got up at 2:30 this morning. I went upstairs to look outside. I have never seen so many falling stars. It was absolutely beautiful. Almost every little minute I seen one."

Fall has always been Mom's favorite time of the year. I think she passed it on to us kids too. Along with all the amazing colors and smells that comes with fall, would come the laughter and the thrill of hunting season. All of us kids had lots of opportunities to go hunting with Mom and Dad. Never a dull moment either and we usually had something to show for all the hiking and rough roads we had to travel. My most favorite hunting trips were those out in Davis Lakes, sitting on the rock piles while Dad and sometimes the boys, would walk the trees in hopes to push something out to Mom and I. While waiting for the elk to run out of the trees, Mom and I would be usually laughing our butts off about something stupid one of us had done or we'd be lounged out eating candy bars. I know Dad would get so sick of Mom and I after spending the day hunting with us. We just simply couldn't be quiet....no matter what! It was too easy to make one or the other laugh. And Dad....oh the looks Dad would throw our way! That would just make it that much harder to quit laughing! I miss those hunting trips!

Not just anyone can look this good in camo!

What a scary looking clan this is!

Lucky day!

Mom's first deer.

Ssshhh....LISTEN!!

And what about all those beautiful colors! Mom loved to take pics of the pretty fall colors. The fall before she died we tried to get as many of the family that could make it and take fall pictures with Mom and Dad. What a beautiful day that was.

This is Grandma and Grandpa with the grandkids.....since that picture there have been a four more little cuties added to the family. (I think that's how many!)
This is kind of our family. There were a few that couldn't make it that day.

And one to remember FOREVER!!

So when your out and about this fall....remember Mom when you see the pretty colors or smell the burning of a wood stove or piles of leaves. Keep an eye on the bright blue fall sky and remember to look up at the stars once in awhile....you never know what you might see!!

I found a bunch of fall pictures so I added them as a slide show. And brothers and sisters or anyone else who might have a hunting story they want to share, PLEASE type it up and email it to me! I'd love to share other fun stories on this blog!!

Happy Birthday Kami & Kade

It all happened on a smoky August evening, Kami and Kade decided to come into the world! August 24, 1988. I remember it was really smoky that year because of the Yellowstone fires. It's crazy the things that leave a mark on your memories. But anyway, that was the special day. We were all very anxious to see these two special babies that decided to join our family. Kami was born first weighing 5lbs 13oz and then here came Kade 11 minutes later. He weighed 5lbs and his lungs weren't quite developed. He had to stay in the hospital for a few weeks if I remember right. When they finally let him come home he weighed just under 5lbs. He was a lucky little guy, but soon put those lungs to work! :) It was always busy with "the twins" as they came to be called. Me being the oldest, got put right to work rocking, feeding, changing, and even packing them around. I usually had Kami and Mom would take Kade. Here is a picture of Mom and I with babies in tow. Check out those crazy car seats, was that safe? haha

I remember being so excited to come home from school and rock both babies while Mom would hurry and get other "mom duties" done.

And of course there was always a lot of other great helpers to help keep "the twins" entertained. Here is Lacey and Kelly being a big sister and big brother.

And where there was one baby the other was right there close! Whether it was sharing food, dreaming about riding the four wheeler, fishing, or just simply hanging out! Together they always were!

Here is Kami and Kade on their 10th birthday. Almost needed a bigger cake for all those candles!

Kami creek fishing in Kilgore.

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Kade riding his motor bike out by the house.

Lots of fun memories and lots of birthday cakes! Kami and Kade, I hope you had a great birthday today. I love you lots!

July 11, 2007

Two years ago today, I remember waking up to a beautiful summer morning. But with a heavy heart. I knew that today was going to be the day that Mom was going to leave us and start a new journey. The day before Mom wasn't doing very good at all, and we all knew that her body was getting tired and starting to shut down. As I started to get dressed for the day, Jennie had sent me a message and told me that I needed to get out to the house as soon as I could because Mom wasn't doing very good at all. So I rushed to wake up my little ones, pulling them out of their beds by their toes and throwing clothes over their little bodies. As I was hurrying to do this Dad and Jennie both called me again saying, "You need to HURRY, Mom doesn't have much longer!" We all piled into the suburban and I raced to Mom and Dad's as fast as I could. The whole time wondering how I was supposed face what I had waiting for me inside that house! For days I'd tried to prepare myself for this moment.....nothing you do can prepare you! The minute I walked into the house I could hear Mom's raspy breathing. My kids and I made our way over to Mom. I kissed her on the forehead and told her that I loved her and that I was going to miss her, but that we'd all be okay here and not to worry. Then Bryndi, Britton and Bradyn gave her a hug and told her that they loved her very much. Mom didn't want to go. In between every raspy breath you could hear her saying "No." Dad kissed her and calmed her down. Within minutes she totally relaxed. Each breath she took becoming more and more shallow and more and more spaced out until she took her very last breath and then let go. For just a minute I felt as if my own heart had stopped. Mom was gone. Part of me felt a sense of relief while the other part of me just wanted to wake up from this terrible nightmare! I do remember such a peaceful feeling coming over us after Mom had passed. I think that was Heavenly Father's way of letting us know that He had her by the hand and that all is going to be okay. From the time I had gotten to the house till the time that Mom passed away was only ten minutes. I'm so glad that you waited for the Rigby's Mom! We love you very much, and think of you every day!

THE DAY GOD CALLED YOU HOME

God looked around His garden

And found an empty place.

He then looked down upon His earth,

And saw your loving face.

He put his arms around you

And lifted you to rest.

His garden must be beautiful,

He always takes the best.

He knew that you were suffering,

He knew you were in pain,

And he knew that you would never

Get well on earth again.

He saw your path was difficult,

He closed your tired eyes,

He whispered to you "Peace be Thine"

And gave you wings to fly.

When we saw you sleeping

So calm and free of pain,

We would not wish you back to earth

To suffer once again.

You've left us precious memories,

Your love will be our guide,

You live on through your children,

You're always by our side.

It broke our hearts to lose you,

But you did not go alone.

For part of us went with you

On the day God called you home.

The Beginning of Many Happy Years

It was thirty one years ago today that Mom and Dad decided to be married. It all started June 16, 1978 at the Parker church. Mom had a beautiful wedding dress. Dad was dressed in a baby blue tux. Mom's favorite color was blue so all the bridesmaids were also wearing beautiful baby blue dresses.

And here they are with their wedding cake that was made by Grandma Miller.

A few years later, June 16, 1983, Mom and Dad were sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple. Jennie and I got to be there too. I was only about 4 years old but I still remember bits and pieces of that day. I remember being in the nursery in the Temple and tracing my hands on a piece of paper. Then I remember walking through a hall, dressed in my white dress and entering into a room that was full of people all dressed in white. As a little kid, this is kind of a crazy thing, all that white. I then remember kneeling down at the alter with Mom, Dad and Jennie. The next thing I knew all the people dressed in white were crying and hugging us. I remember looking into the mirrors and seeing our little family going on and on and on. What a neat experience!

Mom and Dad made it a habit to go to the mountains on their anniversary. They both loved being in the mountains with each other, so what better way to spend their anniversary.

This was their 22nd wedding anniversary, in Kilgore. Dad had picked her some wild flowers, which she called Redneck Roses, which she absolutely loved!

This was the next year in Davis Lakes.

Dad even took Mom to Davis Lakes for their very last wedding anniversary, June 16, 2007.

I just want to say Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Happy Birthday Kelly

June 4, 1985, Bryan Kelly Larson came into the world! Mom and Dad were so proud and most of all excited....finally a boy! After bringing three girls into the world it was time for a change! I remember Mom always talking about how cuddly Kelly was as a baby. He loved to laugh and be silly.

This is Kelly on his First birthday playing with all his new toys.

Kelly with his awesome birthday cake. I don't know how old but if I was to guess I'd say six. (Kelly let me know if you can remember how old you were in this picture.)

Kelly always enjoyed being in the mountains with the family. Loved to go fishing, hiking, camping and hunting.

I don't know who caught the biggest fish that day, but it looks like fun! Kade, Kelly and Dad.

I always thought he was part monkey!


Happy Birthday Kelly! I love you!

Welcome To The World Jennie

On May 27, 1981, Mom and Dad welcomed their second baby into the world. A beautiful baby girl with brown hair, dark eyes and the perfect little smile! They named her Jennie Lee. Jennie always found a way to make everyone laugh right from the start!
Here she is at 3 months old.



Playing outside, 10 months old. Nice hat!!

4th birthday! Jennie loved celebrating birthdays, but only if it was her own! Haha! :)

What the???? Who's that skinny fella? What a cute little 6 month old Jennie
and look at that sweet little 3 year old holding Buckwheat the kitty!

Jennie holding her little girl, McKynlee! Hope you had a great birthday Jennie!