This is a post in tribute to our Dad and Papa. On Veterans day (November 11, 2013) Shane's dad past away from complications due to Renal Cell Carcinoma. He had been fighting it for a little over a year. When he was diagnosed he was stage 4 which means the cancer had spread from his kidney to his bones and lungs. Renal Cell Carcinoma is a cancer that love to eat away bone. This was very painful for dad because it attacked his vertebrae. When they found out he had cancer they scheduled surgery to remove the tumor that was once a kidney. It was apparently very large. This surgery took a toll on dad and was very hard for him and mom. Dad tried very hard to beat this cancer we all prayed very hard and we kept in close contact with one another. He tried Eastern medicine along with Western medicine. I think they tried about everything they could think of.
I wanted to share this blog post with you and to remind my kids of some of the fun and wonderful experiences that they have had with their Papa. We love you Dad!
Dad/Papa and Grandma were able to come for every baby blessing.
Reese's Blessing day. (October 2011)
Dad helped mom build this marshmallow guns for the family reunion. The family had so much fun with them.
One of his many passions was taking pictures. We treasure all of the pictures that he took.
One thing that you could always count on is dad getting his kids involved in the things that he enjoyed. When we were first married it was Racket ball, then golf, biking, cameras and motorcycles. If you look closely you can see that Tanner is holding a camera very similar to Dads.
We started to have family reunions which are wonderful. The first place was out by the ocean. This is one of many taken there with all of us camera's in hand. I am sure that dad has many, many pictures that we will be enjoying for years to come.
This is the way Dad would love to travel.
Grandma and Papa going to capture some of the greatest sights around. Grandma is such a patient person. Sometimes Papa would be taking pictures in one place for an hour. She learned to bring a book. :)
Papa is holding Lauren with all of her Barbies. I believe that I have pictures of all my girls doing this same thing. He couldn't turn down a little kid sitting next to him and just enjoy being together.
Here is a picture of Dad opening a gift. Look it is some of his favorites! He did share with us which we were all wondering if he would. It wasn't always the big things that brought joy but the yummy things too.
When ever we went to go visit Papa and Grandma this is where you would find Brianna. Sitting with Papa looking at his pictures with him or watching him play solitaire. Of which he had an amazing record of like 99% correct. Who can do that??? Well- Papa could that's who. Brianna sat with him so often that Papa gave her a portfolio of his pictures. She holds it like a treasure and loves that none of her siblings got one.
Here is a picture of all the grandkids at that point and Grandma and Papa. It was hard to get all the kids to look at the camera but we did get it. I'm sure someone got a better picture but I am sure glad I got this one. Hey- Look Ryker isn't grumpy in the picture. That comes in a few more years. :)
I thought this one was a funny one with Dad and his boys.
Over the past years when dad was out and about this is how you would see him. Capturing the beauty of what Heavenly Father has given us. He seemed to find joy in trying to get the perfect picture. Dad got very good at this. Although he never quite seemed content with what he was able to do. The rest of us are amazed at the shots that he got. It even reminded us that we need to get out and enjoy the beauty of the earth. Thank you for that gift.
One year we went down to Utah for a baptism and we took the kids to discover temple square. When we were there we took a look around the new conference center. I enjoy this picture of dad enjoying this picture.
On this time Papa came to visit us was a surprise. I had just had Reese and Grandma was here to help out for a week. Papa didn't let anyone know he was coming but when we heard the roar of his Harley we knew that he was here. All of us were so glad to see him. He had to put all the kids on the bike.
His Harley brought him so much joy. It was sad when he got sick he wasn't able to ride it any longer. He would go out to the shed and just start it up to listen to it. I think all of us were hoping that he would be able to ride it again. When ever any of us see a Harley we think of Papa. Even Ryker would ask if it was Papa riding by as we got passed by someone on a motorcycle. It has left a strong impression with him. Ryker told Shane that he needed to get a Harley when he was a Papa because that is what you do when you are a Papa!
Lauren and Dad together. He is helping her open her present. I don't remember why he was doing it but I do remember him picking her up and willingly helping.
Papa and Grandma came for Paige's baptism. Paige asked Papa to give the talk on the Holy Ghost. He said that he was honored to do it because that was the first time he was asked to do a talk at one of the grandkids baptism. The talk was very good. One that I will always remember. I don't think that I saw dad cry very often before he got sick but he did that day during his talk. Dad, thanks for making that day such a great memory for so many of us.
I think this picture of Heath and dad is funny because dad always seemed to have some new drink/food that would help him do better on the 100 mile bike ride that they did together. Heath doesn't look so sure about it.
Here are two different years of their 100 mile bike ride. I'm still not sure why this was a fun thing for them but they always were willing to do it.
They were always glad when the ride was over. Mom would drive the 100 miles and pick them all up. That was something that they could always count on. Mom being there!
This picture is of one of a few Christmas's that we got to have mom and dad with us. Reese is in the back as a baby so this was taken in 2011. That was a fun Christmas. Ryker got a Thor hammer and Papa had fun hitting him with it. Papa also got a robot bug that he played with. The kids had fun watching Papa act like a little kid. I remember another year where we got Lauren a little basket ball and Papa and Shane would pass it back and forth most of the morning. It was really fun to watch that kid side of him come out.
After looking through all of these pictures I have come to the conclusion that we need to go and get some more of our older pictures digitalized.
There are so many things that I could say about this wonderful man. He taught Shane and I the meaning of a generous Fast Offering, to work hard, look for the beauty Heavenly Father has given us, enjoy the things that bring you joy, serving brings happiness and love your family are just a small portion. I am happy my kids were able to have a Papa that loved them and cared about how they were doing.
We all miss him a lot. Ryker still prays every night that Papa is having a good time with Jesus. When he first passed away Ryker prayed that Papa would have fun with his dad and then it moved on that he would have fun with Jesus. It amazes me how big of impression it made on my little guy. We will continue to remember all of the wonderful things about our dad and Papa. I know that we will be able to be together again one day if we do our part. I am thankful for that knowledge that there is a plan.
