In Loving Memory of LaFrances Pauline Horn Carpenter (December 27, 1917 - February 28, 2009)

My maternal grandmother LaFrances Pauline Horn Carpenter lived a full 91 years before passing away February 28, 2009, in Modesto, California--the result of a heart attack. She joined my grandfather Ralph Everett Carpenter just days after what would have been their 70th wedding anniversary.

I was blessed to grow up just blocks from my grandparents; to live with Grandma for 8 months after I graduated from BYU; and, to visit with her for about an hour on February 28th. Many of my memories include Grandma...she was an amazing woman who could cook up a storm and never turned down an opportunity to spend time with her family or to serve people in the Church and her community. All 12 of the Carpenter grandchildren were together for her funeral. She would have loved to have been there with all of us!

Mom, Grandma, and Aunt Kay

Grandma and Grandpa Carpenter

Grandma and baby Jared (1976)

The Carpenter Family (1976) (That's me in the ringlets and plaid dress in the middle between my grandparents)

Eric, Grandma, Me, Grandpa

Jared

(1980)

Granda and Bryan (1982/1983)

Grandma and Grandpa Carpenter (1989--50th Wedding Anniversary Photo)

Grandma, Melissa, and Bryan (2006)

Jared, Grandma and Jack (2007)

Grandma and Aiden (2007)

Grandma's 90th Birthday Party (2007)

Grandma's 90th Birthday (2007)

Netsie, Mom, Grandma, Aunt Kay

The Granddaughters: Emily Stevenson, Melissa Stevenson, Diane Durfey Goodwin, Me, Denise Durfey Stewart, Michele Durfey Stewart, Sarah Stevenson

The Grandsons: Adam Stevenson, Darin Durfey, Jared Rowe, Eric Rowe, Bryan Rowe

Reliving the BYU Days

So, I have friends who have been posting photos from our childhood on Facebook. I was going through my photos that are saved on my computer to see if I had any to add when I came across these from the end of the year BBQ for the BYU 67th Ward my freshman year at BYU. We all lived at Deseret Towers together--2 floors of girls from T-Hall and 2 floors of boys from V-Hall. I can't believe those dorms are no longer there! We had such a fun ward that year!

Visit to San Jose

In order to get to Monterey for ACSA this week, I flew in and out of San Jose, rented a car, and drove down to Monterey. Bryan, Melissa, and Aiden are living in San Jose, so I decided to extend my stay. I arrived at their home early Friday afternoon and stayed through dinner on Saturday. It's amazing how fast Aiden is growing up. He's such a little boy now! Thanks guys! I had a lot of fun!

Monterey

No, I did not take this picture, but this was basically the "partial beach view" out the window of my room on the 9th floor (top floor) of the Marriott in Monterey this week. The weather was clear and 70 degrees all week. I was there for the annual ACSA (Association of California School Administrators) conference that highlights special education and student issues. It was basically a week of wining, dining, and marketing for work...but, not a bad place to do that! It was nice to have a change of pace for work; although, it would have been nice to enjoy the beach in this weather, too!

Star Sighting

I've lived in LA for over 2 years now. In general, I find that I wouldn't recognize a star in a crowd and that, in comparison to the entertainment junkies in my office, I shop, eat, and work out in the wrong places to have a star sighting. But, yesterday provided me some fodder for Monday's legal staff meeting...

Yep...that's right...Robert Pattinson...at the Arclight in Hollywood on December 31, 2008...he was handing his ticket to the ticket taker as I was headed out...

Christmas Highlights...

Jared, Cindy, and Jack are living in Modesto right now. Bryan, Melissa, and Aiden drove to Modesto from San Jose on Friday, December 19th. After the Las Vegas Bowl, Eric and I drove to Modesto for Christmas on Sunday, December 21. And, Sheree and Tyler flew in from Las Vegas on Tuesday, December 23. This was our year to have everyone home on Christmas day.

Our cousin Ben Rowe lives in Modesto. And, our cousin Caroline, her husband Jason, and their new baby Annie came to Modesto from Orem, Utah for Christmas.

Our cousins Melissa and Sarah Stevenson also flew in from Washington, D.C.

Here are some photos of the fun. (Disclaimer: Mom and Dad are currently building a new home and are living at Grandma Rowe's. So, the decor in some of these photos is a little crazy.)

Aiden meets cousin Annie...

Aiden and Uncle Eric...

Wii tournaments, contests, and ego-boosting high scores...
Eric...

Dad...

Jack...

Christmas Eve dinner and ornament exchange with the Rowes...
Ben, me, Mom, Dad....

Jason, Caroline, Cindy, Jack...

Papa and Tyler...

The fun of trying to get a photo of all of the Rowe grandkids...believe it or not, this is one of the best ones. Aiden, Annie, Jack, and Tyler (ages 3 months to 20 months)....

Mom with her ornament from the ornament exchange...

Christmas morning with three little boys was a lot of fun. Santa, Papa, Nana, and Aunt Jen got a little out of control with presents. Aiden even had to take a nap half way through.

Tyler with his Santa presents...

Aiden with his Santa presents...

Jack with his Santa presents (note the Thomas the Tank Engine theme)...


Jack and Aunt Jen (the Thomas pjs went on as soon as they came out of the box and he was enticed to open more packages to see if there was a "choo choo" or "chocolate" inside)...

Mom and the famous Christmas morning cinnamon rolls...a family tradition after opening gifts...

Aunt Jen gave the boys 2 different matching shirts and Nana came through with the pants. However, the photo taking experience proved to be difficult.
Aiden and Jack...

Feel the love...Aiden, Tyler, and Jack...

With all of the presents unwrapped, the tree was much more accessible for Aiden and Jack..."oohhh lights..."

And, "lights..."

Nana celebrates her 60th birthday on January 1st; so, we celebrated with chicken enchiladas and Sheree's triple tremendous cupcakes... (I don't know why this is now underlined and showing up as a link.)

All three boys playing with some of the new toys...Aiden, Tyler, and Jack...

Grandma celebrated her 91st birthday on December 27th...

Las Vegas Bowl

This year the Las Vegas Bowl was early enough before Christmas that I decided to make the trek to Las Vegas (5 1/2 hour drive from L.A.) to join my brother Eric, his wife Sheree, and Sheree's family for the game. BYU played Arizona...Arizona came prepared to play BYU...BYU did come prepared to play Arizona and apparently didn't learn anything about how to play them as the game was played...BYU lost 31-21. It was a frustrating game to watch, but we had fun nonetheless.

A rare winter snow in the high desert mountains of California between LA and Vegas.

The team comes on to the field.

The team warms up with the haka.

Me, Eric & Sheree at the game.

Eric cheering on the team.

Setting up for yet another failed attempt at scoring.

Here's to a better year next year for the Courgars!