The Mayan

11.2.09
My only request when planning our quick trip to Utah was to visit the Mayan for dinner Monday night. It is my favorite place to eat in Utah. The portions are HUGE and yummy, the atmosphere is family friendly, AND there is great entertainment. Every 15 minutes cliff divers perform, and no matter HOW many times I have been, I still get a little nervous watching them.

We called the morning of our dinner and requested the best seats in the house! We went at 5pm, which, by the way, is the GREATEST time to go! The divers basically put on a show for our family!

In attendance, there was

BYU Campus

11.3.09
My first experience at the BYU campus in 18 years! We had a little time to kill before Grandmother Rick's graveside service, so we ventured around campus. We didn't spend much time on campus, went to the bookstore, walked the halls, etc, but an enjoyable experience nontheless! Thanks James for showing us around, and thanks to Justin who stayed in the car with a sleeping Tian while Trey and I looked around!


Trey was amazed that the "Y" on the mountain could be seen from anywhere in Provo!

GiGi and G.Pa

11.3.09
While in Utah for Grandmother Rick's graveside service, we stayed with my Grandparents. It was so nice to spend the short time we did with them. We were so appreciative of their kindness, the yummy meals GiGi made for us, and going out to dinner at the Myan. We love you GiGi and G.Pa!


I promise, Tian loves G.Pa, even though he looks like he isn't too happy in this picture!

Tian at the Memorial

11.3.09
Tian was very restless during the graveside service. Prior to the service beginning, Justin and I took turns walking around the grounds with him. He was drawn to an orange balloon afixed to a gravestone. Unfortunately, that balloon was no where NEAR the service location and we wanted to hear the service. SO, we found the next best thing to the balloon which was a pumpkin. You might think that was strange, a pumpkin left at a graveside. Rather then a bouqet of flowers or balloons, MANY gravestones had pumpkins next to them. Well, Tian found himself a perfect pumpkin to pick up and drop, to pull it's stem off of and then try to eat the stem. I felt bad for a moment that he had broken off the stem, but that guilt feeling was soon replaced with relief. He was entertained and quiet for the service. All I could have asked for!

He and Trey both enjoyed carrying around the funeral program. Sad to think he really wont remember Grandmother Ricks, the way Justin and I will remember her.
This stick is actually a stem from a flower bouqet that was way past its "pretty" stage. It was way too dead to be laying next to a gravestone, so, Tian took care of it. He used the stem to "tickle" Justin with. Tian thought it was hilarious!

Tian and the famous balloon which held his attention for longer then anything I can think of!
Justin walking the grounds of the cemetery with Tian! Doesn't this picture make Tian look so grown up?! Maybe it's the sweater vest!

Tian was one of 3 children in attendance. Trey being the second child, and the 3rd was hidden beneath a blanket in an infant carrier.

Trey at the Memorial

11.3.09
Trey was very anxious to get out of the car for the service, so when we unleashed the beast, he ran and ran. He pretended he was a superhero with his suit, he rolled around in the grass, seriously, it was like he was a caged animal, let out of his kennel after a long day of imprisonment. We stressed to him he needed to be reverent, like he should be in sacrament meeting. He asked if he should fold his arms, and we said, "YES!!!!!" Hoping he would actually just keep his hands still. PLUS, it is kind of hard to roll around in the grass or pretend you are a flying superhero with your arms folded.

Once Justin was asked to be a pall bearer, I took the boys to a quiet part of the cemetery, we sat on the grass, and I explained to Trey that Grandmother Ricks was in the car. Well, that spiked up a whole new curiosity and he actually thought she was sitting in the car. He asked me where she was sitting, and I told him she was in the box in the BACK of the car. Her body was in the box and her spirit was living in heaven with Heavenly Father and Jesus. He understood her body was in the box Justin was carrying, WHICH, was about the only thing he took away from the service. The next day at preschool, his teacher asked him how the service was. Trey's response, "My dad carried a thing my Grandmother Ricks was in. My Grandmother Ricks died." I quickly explained what he was talking about so his teacher didn't get the wrong idea.

Trey really liked wearing his suit. He didn't want to button up the jacket because he "wanted to look like a missionary." I guess missionaries don't button up their jackets in Trey's world!



It was so sweet. Trey wanted to stand next to Justin during the service, and half way through the service, he wanted to be held. It looked like he was hugging Justin! So sweet!

In Memory of Focha Black Ricks

11.3.09
Focha Black Ricks (aka Grandmother Ricks, Justin's mother's mother) passed away October 27, 2009. She has tried to attend every one of her grandchildren's weddings and has sent birthday and Christmas cash for years. When I was growing up in California, her and Grandfather Ricks were in our ward, Grandfather being our Bishop. I remember being very little, going to their home for Tithing Settlement and being served yummy homemade cookies, made by Grandmother. I didn't know at the time I would be marrying their grandson!

Grandmother Ricks has been in poor health for quite a few years. She attended our wedding AND wedding reception and walked without problem. She seemed in high spirits and with great memory. 3 years later we attended a Ricks family reunion and she was bed bound. She was giving her jewelry away and loosing some of her memory. We thought this might be one of the last times we saw her. Grandmother Ricks held on for another 6 years, and on October 27, 2009, she passed away.

Grandmother Ricks funeral was on October 31, 2009, in California where we were unable to attend. Silently, I made a promise to our family that I would do everything in my powers to make it to her funeral. THANKFULLY, I was able to hold true to my promise and attend her graveside service in Provo, Utah.

Early Monday, November 2, we piled into James' minivan and made the drive to Salt Lake City. GiGi and G.Pa live in Salt Lake, so, not only did we get to spend time with Justin's family, we were able to spend the night at GiGi and G.Pa's.

The cemetary Grandmother Ricks will be buried in was beautiful. It was nestled in a very beautiful neighborhood in Provo, Utah with the most gorgeous view. We arrived to the service about 45 minutes early which was wonderful to greet family!

Shortly after we arrived, Grandfather Ricks, Rosanne and Ray (Justin's aunt and uncle) and their spouses arrived. They were all in such high spirits.

James walking Grandfather Ricks to the Graveside service location prior to guests arriving

Sweet Grandfather Ricks (aka Artel Ricks) consoling everyone around him when HE was the one who probably needed the most consoling!
The beautiful view from the cemetary
Jordan, Justin's younger, very smart *single* brother! Anyone interested, leave a comment!!!
The son Grandmother and Grandfather Ricks lost. James died in a motorcycle accident two days before entering the mission field.
Grandmother Ricks grave placement (I believe this was a "make-shift" gravestone until the real one is complete!) Tian wanted this orange balloon attached to the gravestone SO badly!
Our family forgot to sign the book. I hope Justin signed it before we left!


This was Justin's first time being a Pall Bearer. He, his brother Jordan, uncle Don, and several cousins. Justin's older brother James watching in the distance.
James was asked to speak and did a nice job.
We were told maybe 50 would be in attendance, but there were actually 96!

The service was short and very heart felt. A luncheon held at Aunt Irene's home was served. Sweet Aunt Irene is nearly 100 and getting around her home without any problem. She even had a home video DVD playing of Grandfather and Grandmother Ricks. So thoughtful!

James Bledsoe Family

10.26.09
I was completely flattered when my sister-in-law Tina called me last Sunday evening, while I was taking pictures of the Dribnak family, and asked if I would mind taking a family picture of her family! I was so excited that a family member would trust me with taking her family's picture! We went to a park in their neighborhood, which was so pretty, and took a few pictures! With the time crunch we were under, all children were on their best behavior, and I even got a smile out of James, Justin's brother (heeehee!).

James and Tina with their 6 crazy kids. You say you only see 5 kids in this picture? Look closely at the cute 'little' baby bump Tina is sporting. She was about 18 weeks in this picture, and you can hardly see a thing. Dang her!
Look at that cute little family! We sure are lucky to live so close to 'the cousins' and have their example in our lives!

The "D" girls at Linder Farms

10.25.09
Look who WE ran into at Linder Farms? It's so nice to run into sweet friends!

BABY animal petting zoo

10.25.09
Tian was in heaven in the Baby Animal Petting Zoo. There were baby llamas, goats, sheep, and even a two humped camel. Tian enjoys chasing after our dog Cooper, and pets the neighbor's cat, but I didn't know what he would do with any other larger animal. He didn't seem to mind their size.

The sheep and the goats were drawn to this little man. It probably didn't hurt that he had mini donut crumbs all over his hoodie.

Tian screaming at one of the goats. Soon enough, the goats surrounded him as well.

Talking to the baby llama

Tian loved pulling the goats ears, I don't think THEY liked it.

You might ask, "Where is Trey during all of these animal festivities?" WELL, I made the mistake of reading the sign outside of the petting zoo. It read, "Caution: Animals may Bite." Trey became very apprehensive when I read the sign to him and basically hid behind my legs or camped outside of the animal pens with Justin. Justin didn't want anything to do with the cute little animals either.

linder farms *SWINGS* and *SLIDES*

10.24.09
Some new additions to Linder Farms were swings and Astro Jump Slides! Trey enjoyed both a little too much!

These pictures were taken in mid swing, and boy did those swings move FAST!
Check out that slide, AND those dirty socks! I promise his socks were clean before we left. I guess that is what happens when a little guy runs around a farm in his socks. NASTY!


Tian a little frustrated he can't go on the slides and swings. He is becoming such an independent little man who wants to follow his brother's every footstep.