After Christmas Fun

At the beginning of the year, Grandpa Rick (and me...but mostly him) invited our older grandchildren to read the Book of Mormon throughout the year.  He bought them each a new Book of Mormon and a new 2025 calendar to use and keep track of their days of reading.  He invited them to read a little each day.  They were not expected to complete the book (it would have been nice) but to read as much as they could each day.  With this challenge he promised each of them that we would have a special "trip" at the end of the year.  Well, the end of the year is here and time to have some fun.  I'm not sure that the kids read each day, but they all learned something from the challenge.  

We reserved a couple of rooms downtown at the Courtyard and planned to stay there for the night.  We picked the kids up around 1:00 in the afternoon and headed to Classic Skating in Sandy.  Henry and Charles brought their scooters and skates and the rest of us rented them.  We got there and got "suited up" and off we all went.  Of course, Henry and Charles have had skates and are pretty good at it...  the rest of us had to get used to them.  Rafe opted for a scooter, and he did great!  Haivyn and Scout got skates and fell a bit but by the end were getting pretty good.  I started with roller skates and they were so heavy, and I was worried about falling.  Rick suggested that I get inline skates, and that helped a bit.  I still worried about falling but with Rick's (and Henry's) help...one on each arm... I was able to get around the rink a number of times. 👏👏  I also loved just sitting around watching the kids have fun.  Henry was skating backwards by the time we left.  They ALL were just so cute!

THE KIDS HAD SO MUCH FUN!!  Classic skating was a hit with everyone, and we may go back some time soon:)

Our next stop was RODIZIO GRILL!  Rick had some gift cards for the restaurant, and we thought the kids would have a great time there.  They sure did!  They loved the buffet and getting all the fun meats as they came around.  One sad incident, though was when Charlie saw the bacon wrapped jalapeños he got excited and asked for one.  He took a huge bite and then the heat hit.  Oh, I felt so bad for him.  He was crying and we were all giving him food to try to get the heat out of his mouth.  Finally the waiter brought him some milk and that seemed to help but it was a full five minutes of trying to figure out how to help the poor kid!  My heart went out to him because I do not like hot stuff.  It's not fun!

We all enjoyed our meal.

After dinner we went to the hotel.  We all enjoyed an hour or so playing in the pool.

The kids were so cute playing Marco Polo and splashing and having a good time.

After swimming and everyone getting ready for bed we had a little fireside with all of us sharing what we have learned from our BOM reading this past year.  It was a really sweet time together.  Charles started us out with the story of the Brother of Jared.  He did a great job of explaining the story and how it impressed him.  Henry went next.  He spoke of Abinidi and how his testimony (the testimony of one person) touched Alma (one person), and how from Alma (one person) so many other people heard of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and their lives were changed.  He used the term "ripple effect" to explain how one person can affect the lives of so many others.  Such a good insight from an 11 year old!  Rafe talked about... 

Scout went next and talked of Nephi and how he followed what Jesus wanted him to do.  It was cute.  Scout had taken the time to write down everything she wanted to say,  kind of like a book report.  I loved it.  Next was Haivyn.  She told us about how the book of Ether is her favorite book and she read a verse that she liked.

It was a really wonderful experience talking about the Book of Mormon with each of these kids.  We are both so hopeful that they will continue to read throughout their growing up years and gain a strong testimony of it to be a foundation of truth throughout their lives.

After our fireside we played the game 'Do You Really Know Me', and we all had fun learning more about each other!

The next morning we slept in and all woke up around NINE O'clock!  Breakfast was ending at nine so I quickly roused the kids and we ran down to get a bite of breakfast.  We made it just in time, and we all got some food!  Henry forgot his retainers on his breakfast plate, and they got thrown in the garbage.  He and Grandpa had to go fishing thru garbage bags in the kitchen trying to find them...and at last they were successful.  Mama was happy when she found out about the end result!

After breakfast the kids got to swim again and then we got all ready and left for the day.

Our first stop was to the nickel arcade.  We each got 200 tokens to play all the fun games.  They lasted right about an hour...just as we were hoping.

We then had a fun lunch at Zupas.  Everyone loves Zupas, and the kids all had fun sitting at a table to themselves and being goofy!

Last, but not least, we went to the theater and saw the movie, "David".  It is a new animated film about David and Goliath and King Saul.  It was pretty well done, and we all liked it.  A few of the kids had already seen it and had been talking about how they loved the music.  It was a pretty touching film.  

Great times with these kiddos that we love so much!  We hope to do something like this in the future with them, and in the meantime...we hope they each keep studying the Book of Mormon and that it gets into their hearts!  

 

Christmas Activities

With my dad's passing, this year's Christmas activities were hit and miss this year.  We tried to get in as much as we could but missed a few of our traditional outings.

We got together with the family one night for a chili dinner, caroling, hot chocolate and a Christmas program.

 Some of our cute carolers

Enjoying some hot chocolate...

Brach and Kendra posing for a picture

Skylar and Sarah holding baby Wyatt.

I didn't get any pictures of our Christmas program but The Phelpses sang Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and Charles played a song on the piano.

For the Boman's part both Rafe and Scout played a Christmas song on the piano.

Brady sang Silent Night with the sign language.  

I gave a short Christmas Story about the Big Wheel Truckstop and talked about loving and forgiving one another this Christmas.

Rick shared his love for everyone and bore his testimony of the Savior.

The next night the adults met at The Roof Restaurant in downtown SLC.  We had a nice dinner and enjoyed visiting.  Unfortunately it was very loud in the restaurant so it was difficult to share inner conversations.  Next year we will get somewhere a little more private.  Food was good though!

We went down to the lobby on the first floor and got a family picture by one of the trees.

Then we went to go see the lights...

A few days later Rick and I had a nice night out.

We had a super delicious meal at our favorite restaurant, The Capital Grille.

Our server brought us out a free dessert.

Everything was magnificent.

We had a little time before the show started so we went to go check out the Macy's candy windows.

They had some really good ones this year.

                   Then we made our way to the Eccles Theatre for this year's Kurt Bestor Concert.  

We loved every minute of it.  My heart needed this night!

After our time in Vegas for my dad's services we made it back just in time to prepare for Christmas Eve.

It was a really great night with the family!

Little Wyatt is not so little anymore!  he just keeps getting bigger and it makes me kinda sad:(

But he sure looked cute in his Best Gift Ever outfit!

We had a wonderful buffet dinner with our staples...

Chicken and Dumplings and Tamales.

I also made some enchiladas to go with the meal.

Kendra brought wingers wings, artichoke dip and pecan bars.

 Sarah brought a cute wreath relish tray,  jalapeño poppers and Christmas cookies.

Our nativity turned out really well.

The practice run was torturous though.

Somehow, it always works out when it's time for the performance.

Jammie pictures

Phelps family

Kait, Haivyn and Merik

Rick, me and Gary 

The Boman Fam

Isaac and his girls came along for the evening.

It was nice to have them.

Sloan was a little nervous but Naomi fit right in with the kids.

Grams and Gramps with all the littles

The whole clan.

and a couple random pics from the night.

Everyone passed out their Secret Santa gifts for the names that thy had drawn last month and Rick and I opened gifts from our kids.

Grandpa got the boys remote control cars and had to show them all how the worked.

Everyone left by 8:30 and we were left to clean up the tornado.

It took about an hour and then we prepared our stockings for each other and had some down time.

Haivyn and Merik watched Elf and then got into bed.

Oh, here's a picture of all of us in our Diamond RH hats that my nephew Jonathon had made for us.

This one's for you dad!!

We got to sleep in until about eight and then had a leisurely morning unwrapping gifts.

We went to visit the Phelps family and the Boman family and then came back for a late brunch.

The rest of the day was laid back. 

We watch a double feature that night...Little Women and Seasons of the Heart.  

It was a wonderful day!

                                                 Merry Christmas, Everyone!!

MY DAD

Two days after Thanksgiving Rick and I made the drive down to Vegas to help with my mom and dad for a few days.  Rick was not planning on going because he had a lot of work visits to make for the Christmas holiday.  I asked him to come with me for the weekend.  I just wanted him there and hated the thought of being without him.  What a blessing that it worked out that he could come.  

We were there for the weekend then Rick needed to leave.  He drove the car back while I stayed for a couple more days to continue helping. As I was leaving that last time on Wednesday morning,  I hugged him and told him I loved him.  He responded, "Love you, too.  Call me when you get there."  I said,  I would and then left.  I called him after Rick picked me up and he told me, "Thanks for coming down." I said, you're welcome and that I would see him in a couple of weeks.  

And that was it.  The last time I talked to my dad.

The following week I got a call at 2 AM from Mare saying that dad had been vomiting that evening and it had caused a type of stroke and that he was having sever bleeding on the brain.  He was not expected to live too much longer.  Rick and I knew we needed to get to Vegas as soon as possible.  We got up the next morning and left.  Just after coming through Cedar City we got the call that he had passed.  We were still a couple of hours out but we drove straight to the hospital.  Scott and Kathy, Paul, Terri and Jonathon were there.  I was able to touch him and tell him I loved him before the mortician got there to take his body.

Luckily, Mare had picked up my mom the first thing that morning and brought her in to see dad.  He was unresponsive and it was really upsetting to her to see that.  She struggled throughout a lot of the day not fully comprehending what was going on.  But the last 1/2 an hour she was able to calm down and hold his hand while he passed.  My dad never wanted to leave my mom.  He wanted her to be the first one to go.  Mare had to whisper in his ear that it was ok for him to leave and that we (her children) would take care of her for him.  After he passed someone noticed a teardrop coming out of his eye.  It was felt that this was my dad showing us what he was feeling by giving up his will and that he trusted us to care for her. 

 My dad was a good, loving husband.  He loved my mom tremendously and they were always affectionate with each other.  Every morning he would give my mom a good morning kiss and  every night he would be sure to give her a goodnight kiss.  They truly loved each other.

That night a miracle occurred.  For a number of years now, around five, some of my siblings have not been on the best of terms.  Even to the point that some had not set foot in my parents home for that many years.  It has been a difficult thing to witness such a close family be torn apart by difference of opinions.  I know this hurt my parents deeply.  Well, that night a text was sent out with an apology and forgiveness extended.

The next day we all (except Boyd who was at work and Deanna and Kelly who were meeting by face time since Kelly had knee surgery the previous day) gathered together to talk about funeral plans.  We all were in the same room, communicating.  What a wonderful thing to occur.  We were able to make assignments; 

Mare: flowers and a talk about dad 

Kathy and her girls: dad memorabilia for the foyer,

me: obituary, life sketch, and grandchildren's song

Terri, Deanna, and Paul: memories of dad

Scott: a song of cowboy medley and good friend

Paul: the family prayer

Jeremy: the opening prayer 

Rick: the closing prayer

Pete: the dedication of the grave

We decided that Bishop Houston would speak and Boyd would say a few words at the end of the service.

We decided at that time to meet the following night to share family memories so that I could have some ideas for the life sketch.

First thing the next morning, Scott, Mare, Rick and I drove to La Paloma mortuary to sign documents and make some decisions regarding the details of dad's funeral plan.  Luckily, some years before, dad and mom purchased a funeral plan and paid all of their expenses at that time.  There were just a few things to do including setting a date for the service.  We decided on Saturday the 20th.  That was still over a week away and we were hoping to have it earlier but it worked out just fine.  

That evening all my siblings and their spouses (except Kelly sho was still recuperating) got together to have dinner (thanks to Pilipino BBQ's Mikey and Tonya) and to share family memories.  It started out kind of rough as it took a half an hour to figure where to put Jake as a speaker not he program.  After that we started talking about memories and it ended up being the best night!  My mom was awake and even had a silly grin on her face as we all shared fun times with our dad!  It really was wonderful laughing and getting along just like the old days when there was so much fun in our family.

These are the only pictures I got but Rick recorded us laughing and telling stories.

We all had our assignments.  Rick and I stayed two more nights with my mom and drove back home on Monday.  We were emotionally spent and grateful to walk into our home after a long five days.

Here are some fun pictures I gathered to send to Jake to make a video of dad/grandpa.

Rick and I were able to spend the next few night at home.  We drove as far as St. George late Thursday night and got up early to get to the funeral home by 9:00.

Mare, Gabby, Tori, and I met Pete and Terri at La Paloma.

We were able to go into the room to get dad's temple robes on him.  The right side of his body looked really good.  On that side his face had lot all of its unsightly blood vessels.  The left side did not look as good and his left hand was purple.  Apparently that is where the embalming is done.

The next day was the funeral.  I had spent MANY hours typing and editing the life sketch.  Really, I think I calculated at least eight hours of work on that thing.  Thankfully, I was able to take a lot of information out of my mom and dad's life history that I had typed about fifteen years ago and even though I still was editing the day before, I feel like it turned out very well.

The night had been rough with my mom.  She got up at least TEN times in the night and she did not want to get out of bed.  She did NOT want to go to the funeral but there was no way I was going to let that happen.  I got her up ad ready and got myself ready and we were at the church by 8 AM.  I wanted to let my mom have some time with my dad alone before the viewing started.  She did not like being in the room with his body.  I think her mind was somewhat in denial and like she could not understand what had happened.  We didn't stay in the room too long.  the viewing started at 8:30 but it took a little while before people started coming.  And then the floodgates opened.  It was nonstop greeting people until the time of the family prayer at 10:15.  I was thankful that I was standing next to Paul and Mare because some of the people I had not seen for forty years, and people look different after forty years!

 They were able to fill me in on who was who and it was nice talking to people.

 

The family prayer was given by Paul.

The funeral service went really well.

everyone did very well on their talks and memories.  

The music was beautiful.  I had chosen a beautiful rendition of I am a Child of God for the grandchildren to sing.  They pulled the harmony off so nicely and I was very happy with the way it sounded.

Here is a picture of them. 

We were hopeful that the service would only last an hour but it stretched on for an hour and a half.

We then went right into the family luncheon put on by the ward Relief Society.

My mom was tired so Rick and I took her home to rest.

Skylar brought us over some food from the luncheon.  It was great!

Daisy was sick with a fever throughout the whole day.  (Rafe was terribly sick with the croup, as well:(

Skylar and Sarah decided that it was best that they get on the road to get her home.

They felt bad about missing the burial service.

We got a quick picture of my mom and Skylar and Henry and Charles.

Did I mention that my mom looked so beautiful that day?

Tonya had cut her hair a few days prior and we found a nice outfit that was in fall colors. 

 My dad's favorite!  I was able to do her hair and put on a little makeup and she looked very nice.

I put these pants on her AFTER the funeral but the top is what she wore.

The burial was scheduled to start at 3 PM in Mesquite and hours drive away.

We arrived just in time and had a beautiful burial service.

Pete gave a short talk and Tori sang, Good Friend.  She struggled through part of it and so her dad got up and helped her until she could get her composure and finish the song.  It was very tender.

Pete dedicated the grave and then we gathered for pictures.

Here is a picture of all of us siblings oldest to youngest being the casket.

Before the Bomans go on the road they got a quick picture with grandma.

The next day Scott went to Mesquite to make a monument for the grave.  He knew that it would be quite some time for a gravestone to be made so he wanted to have something to mark the grave until then.

He and Jake and their friend Troy, spent the day making this.  It says, 

Dedicated to Richard L. Hafen

May 16th 1939 

December 10th 2025

It is adorned with a hay pick and a horseshoe and has his Diamond RH brand o the top right corner and his dad's LH brand on the bottom left corner.

It is so fitting for him,💙

Rick and I stayed with my mom for another few days. 

Rick needed to leave Monday morning...I hated to see him go.

I flew home the next morning, just two days before Christmas.

I was able to have eight of these hats, with my dad's brand on them, made for our family.

They will be Christmas Eve presents!