Celebrating Granny J.'s Birthday

On Sunday, August 12, Lisa invited everyone down to her house in Nephi for cake and ice cream to celebrate what would have been Granny J.'s 84th birthday.

We had cake and ice cream and then Marci and Lisa handed out balloons to all of the kids.  They were a variety of colors - a rainbow!

Passing out balloons.

 Kendrick with his balloon.

 We then let them go up into the heavens to Grandma!  I'm sure she loved it!  It was a great way to celebrate her day!

 Kendrick clapping his hands after we let the balloons go.

Then, after we had let the balloons go, wouldn't you know it--there appeared a rainbow!  Another sign from Granny J.!

It was a fun party and I'm so glad we all got together to celebrate Granny's day.  I know she loved it too!

Granny J's Viewing & Funeral

Granny J.'s viewing was held on July 31, 2012. There were so many people who came to show their support to our family and to Granny J.  All of these pictures I took from my sister Amy, so thanks to Amy for helping make my blog post complete!

There was a display of all of Granny J.'s children and their families.  There were also some things that reminded us all of Granny.  One thing was the cookie jar!

 

Of course the kids were still loving the cookie jar!

This is a picture of all of Granny J's kids.  It was so good to see everyone, even if it were on a sad occasion like this.

Back row:  Morris Blackett, Lisa Blackett, Carmen Jackson, Bart Jackson, Barbara Cowan, Eve Jackson, Scott Jackson.

Front row:  Morris Wright, Judy Wright, Sandra Mangelson, Paul Mangelson.

The funeral was held the next day on August 1, 2012.  Again, there were a lot of people - friends and family - who came to show their love to our family.

 This was the sign in table at the viewing prior to the funeral.

 The funeral services were so nice!  All of my aunts, one of my uncles, and my mom spoke.  Each one chose a different aspect of Granny J. to focus on.  They were all perfect!

All of the grandchildren sang a Primary song called "Grandmother".  It was so hard to sing it because we were all sad!  But I'm sure Granny J was proud!

My cousin's daughters sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and it was so beautiful!  I am sure Granny loved that song too!

 Display at the funeral.

 Dedication of the grave.

 Each grandchild that wanted to said a few words.  It was very hard, but I just wanted to let Granny know how much I was going to miss her and how much I appreciated all that she had done for me!  She always made each one of her grandchildren feel like they were the "favorite"!

 The headstone

 Blowing Granny J one last kiss!

 Beautiful flowers

 

One special thing that happened, was when we all came out of the church to get into our cars to go to the cemetery, there was a rainbow.  But is wasn't a "regular" rainbow, it was a horizontal rainbow that is very rare.  We all felt it was a sign from Granny J that "all is well". 

Celebrating Our Anniversary

We decided we would celebrate our anniversary this year by going down to St. George to see Aladdin at the Tuachan Theater.  We went down a weekend early, because my mom was going to watch Kendrick, so that weekend worked best for her.

We headed down to St. George on Thursday, July 26 after Scott got off work.   My mom had stopped by our house and picked up Kendrick.  He was going with her to a party that my sister was having for Jackson.  He was going to open up his mission call letter, so they had a party so everyone could share in the event.  We had already made our plans and got our tickets, etc., so we were going to have to miss the party.

We did get the news on the way down though, that Jackson would be serving in the Tijuana Mission.  Very exciting--he will leave in November.

The first night we just got checked into our room and then went out to dinner.  We didn't go anywhere too fancy--just Red Robin.  I love the burgers and fries there.  Especially the fry sauce!

The next day we got up and went and did a little bit of shopping.  Then we got ready to go to the backstage tour, dinner, and show at Tuachan. 

Scott - posing on the backstage tour.

 Caught in the iron cuffs!  He doesn't look too concerned.  HA HA

 The Genie - this was a float they use in the parades for advertising of the show.

 Scott the Sultan?

Me and Scott

We had a good time at the dinner and show.  The show was so good!  I loved all of the effects, especially the magic carpet.  One fun coincidence - The Maple Mountain Chamber Singers were there for the show as well!  They were on their annual retreat in St. George.  My drill team president, Shalee Hiskey is also a member of the chamber singers, so I saw her there.

One thing that was sad on this trip, is this is where I received the phone call from my mom letting me know that Granny J. had passed away.  I felt bad that I was down in St. George, but there wasn't really anything I could do, and the viewing and funeral was going to be the next week, so everything was fine.  My mom had my brother Charlie watch Kendrick while she was in Nephi helping with details for the funeral, etc.

I still can't believe that Scott and I have been married for seven years!  Wow!  It seems like two or three--time flies when you are having fun!

Grandma J's Obituary

 Marcile Bruno Jackson died peacefully on July 28, 2012 in Nephi, Utah. Mom was born on August 12, 1928 in Moroni, Utah to Scott Barnum Bruno and Sophie O'Leary Cloward Bruno. She was born on her mother's 35th birthday and was the seventh of ten children. Mom lived an idealic life growing up in Moroni, often roasting potatoes in a bonfire with the neighborhood kids. She graduated from Moroni High School. Mom met and married Dad, Harold L. Jackson, upon his return from serving with the 145th Field Artillery in World War II. Together they raised seven children. She worked for Mountain Bell Telephone Company when the first dial system was installed in Nephi. She worked for Smith Bakery selling many "Burnt Blacks" to the students of Juab High School. Mom was also employed as a "Lunch Lady" at Nephi Elementary for 24 years. She retired in 1996. Mom served a service mission for the LDS Church. Mom was active in the Nephi Third and Ninth LDS Wards. She was the captain of Camp Birch of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers and was a member of the Variette Club for 60 years. She has many good friends. Most of all Mom loved her family. She always supported every family member. She loved her brothers and sisters. Mom is survived by seven children: Judy (Morris) Wright, Sandra (Paul) Mangelson, Barbara Cowan, Scott (Eve) Jackson, Lisa (Morris) Blackett, Bart (Carmen) Jackson and Fawn Steele. Mom was affectionately known as Granny J to 26 grandchildren, 50 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Grace Ostler and Jewel Bailey and her brother, Perry Bruno. Thanks to Dr. Rasmussen, the nurses and staff at Central Valley Medical Center and Heritage Hills Care Center for their love and comforting care. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at the Nephi 9th Ward, 1125 N. 400 E. A viewing will be held at Anderson Funeral Home, 94 W. 300 N., Nephi, Utah on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 from 6 to 8 p.m. and at the church from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the services. Interment, Nephi City Cemetery.

Fiesta Days

Spanish Fork's annual celebration in the summer is Fiesta Days.  It is always around July 24th, Pioneer Day.  This year we went to a few events.  The first thing we attended was the flag retirement.  Annie's husband, Jim, was helping because his National Guard unit was there helping. 

 

When we got there, I received a text from one of my old drill girls, Kaitlynn Blood.  She said she liked my shirt--I had on a bright fluorescent orange and white striped top.  Anyway, I asked where she was sitting, and we went and sat by her.  Annie and her boys came and joined us.  We thought we had a great seat, but Annie warned us that it may get hot when they light the fire. 

 

She was right, it was very hot!  But it was a very patriotic event and I'm glad we attended.  Here are a few pics from the event:

 Boy Scouts would bring the flags to the National Guard.

 The National Guard would then turn around.

 Then throw the flags into the fire.

 They let off some big cannons --I'm not sure what they are called, but Kendrick plugged his ears because it was so loud!

 

On July 24th, my drill team performed in both the Mapleton parade and the Spanish Fork parade.  It was a hot day and the girls looked great performing their routine.  Here are a few pictures that Scott took for me while they were performing.

 The routine included some kicks --of course!

 Me and my new assistant, Camille Montague.  I had Jason Gibson come and do the music--such a relief.  Last year I had music equipment issues, so I'm always glad when he is available to come run the sound!

 Shalee -- she is the President of the team this year.

 The team.

 Cute close up shot of some of the team.  Laney Melton made their cute headbands! 

The team performing on the semi truck.

 

We did go down later that day and walk around the booths at the park and around the carnival.  We saw some people we knew from Provo and talked to them a bit.  Then later we went and found a place to watch the fireworks.  Kendrick had a good ol' time playing with everyone around us.  He is not afraid to go up to people he doesn't know!  Especially if they have a dog--which one guy did.

 

Maybe next year we will try out the rodeo.  We'll see if Kendrick can handle it!  HA HA

Pioneer Day Celebration in Levan

We went down to Levan on Friday, July 20 for the Pioneer Day celebration. The celebration was on Saturday, July 21.  We wanted to be there early for some of the events that were early in the morning.

The night before, we helped my mom and sisters put a float together for the kids to ride on in the children's parade.  The there this year was centered around pioneer ancestors.  My mom had the kids dress in western wear and we honored our ancestor, Rodney Badger, who was a pioneer in law enforcement in Utah.  He was killed in the line of duty rescuing someone in the Weber River.  So, our float had the river on it and then the kids dressed in western wear. 

The next morning, we woke up and went to the breakfast.  We had pancakes, sausage, and eggs.  Some of my family ran in the Levan 5K.  After breakfast, we went back to my parent's house to get ready for the parade.

All set up and ready to go!

 Kendrick had to take his cup along for the ride.

 I ended up walking along the side just in case Kendrick didn't last.  But, he was fine.

 Cute little cowboys and cowgirls!

 The float from the back.

After the parade, we went back to my parent's house and relaxed and my dad bought us lunch.  He got hamburgers from the park.  Later, we decided to walk to the park and check out the pioneer activities and the other fun events they had going on.

 Walking in the park.

 Kendrick wanted to check out the bounce houses.

 It was really hot, so he didn't last too long in there!

 Kendrick would rather play on the swings and the slide - aka, wee wee and side.

 He loves going down the slide.

 Going down on his tummy.

 Kendrick also loves to swing!

 We took a break to get a snow cone.  It was a hot day!

But, just as we were thinking we would walk back to grandma's, it looked like a storm was coming.  It started raining as we walked back and then it poured!  Luckily we were back at grandma's!

We took a nap and then woke up in time to get ready to go to the dinner at the park.  It was good!  Especially the dessert--ha ha, not!  I mean, watermelon is ok, but it is not my dessert of choice.

Annie loved the delicious dessert!

Sorry, Annie!  We took that pic to send to my sister Amy to see if she was jealous that she wasn't at the dinner to enjoy the dessert.

After dinner, we listened to the entertainment for a bit while the kids played some more.  Then we walked back to grandma's to watch the fireworks from her back porch.  

We had a fun time in Levan.  Pioneer Day was always a highlight of my summer when I was growing up.  Gotta love small town celebrations.  Plus it is always good to come home and get together with family.