The Patten Family Blog: December 2009

December 2009

While were in Utah the first week of December for Grandpa Patten's funeral we went to see the lights at Temple Square. We didn't have too much time because we had to get Cory to the airport. It was freezing and snowing a little. We went around trying to find a parking spot. We were in the parking lot of a Church not far from the square looking for a place to park. We were in two cars, Shawn, Kim, Stacy and Christy were in one car and Mike, me, Cory and Jimmy were in another car. Shawn was in front. He thought he saw a parking spot and turned a corner in the parking lot...we heard a crash and Mike said "did they just hit a car?" We couldn't see because they had turned the corner in front of us. We stopped and got out of the car and sure enough they had turned the corner and slid on the ice...the car just slid side ways into a parked truck. Shawn and Kim's car got the worst of it! They hit the truck's bumper, it didn't really have any damage that was too noticeable. Shawn left a note on the truck saying "Merry Christmas-- sorry I hit your truck", along with his insurance info on the note. By then it was time for us to take Cory to the airport so we left while the others walked around Temple Square...I didn't feel too bad though because it was freezing outside and I was glad to be in a warm car! The kids took my camera and took some pictures so here they are!

Jimmy

Stacy

Christy

Shawn

The next morning we went back to Temple Square so that Jimmy could take some pictures for his Photo class...it was still freezing. Luckily we couldn't take too much time because we had to fly back home in the afternoon. By the time we finished at Temple Square I couldn't feel my feet or my nose! I don't think I would last very long in a Utah winter!

Visiting with some sisters that Christy knew on Temple Square.

Jimmy taking photos on the square.

Mike bundled up for the cold.

Grandpa Patten

March 19, 1915-December 1, 2009

Michael's father passed away on December 1, 2009. Grandpa has been trying to go for about a year now so we are happy that he is finally with his wife and family on the other side. Grandpa has been such an example to us in our life. We have wonderful memories of Grandpa and will really miss him.

The day before he passed away. The Viewing

Stacy and Christy putting the palbearers flowers on Shawn, Cory and Jimmy.

Kim, Shawn, Stacy and Christy saying good-by to Grandpa.

Cory, Stacy, Christy, Kim, Shawn and Jimmy

Jimmy, Shawn, Kim, Stacy, Christy, Cory, Pam, Michael

The Burial

Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving was a little different for us. For about the last 18 years or so we have been going to St. George Utah to my mother's for Thanksgiving. My brother Kevin and his family came from Colorado and my brother Brian and his family came from Cedar City. My sister also came a few times from California. My grandparents who lived in St. George were also there for Thanksgiving. It was always such a fun time with everyone there...the hiking...the card games, the laughing til our sides hurt, the eating, the rice puff balls, the movies, the shopping...all so much fun. When mom passed away in February we knew that this Thanksgiving would be hard. We all have to make new Thanksgiving traditions. We spent Thanksgiving at home with our family, me, Michael, Christy and Jimmy. Cory and his family came and spent several nights here too. We played games, ate too much, laughed til our sides hurt, had rice puff balls and tried not to miss mom so much. We had a very nice Thanksgiving but we sure missed mom and my siblings and their families! We really appreciate mom for having us all there every year for Thanksgiving and providing us with eternal memories. We will always remember the wonderful Thanksgivings in St. George with our mom and our grandparents.

Thanksgiving dinner