Friday, September 21, 2007
DJ says Happy Birthday
Well, Happy Birthday. And I thought you were old when I met you :) That's been a few years now. Sheridan was very instistant that she had an engagement ring before I met you. She didn't think that you would have believed her otherwise. I understand now. You have blessed my life, you so warmly welcomed me into your family. We've always been excited to come and visit. Grandpa's on my side of the family don't last very long, so you're all I've got. Thanks for being their for me and my family. I cherish the memories of playing games at the table (we would have to keep a close eye onyou) and of our gospel discussions. You would say anything if it would lead to a "good discussion". Happy Birthday. Save some cake for us for Thanksgiving. Love DJ.
Four Score!
It seems that most of us love many of the same things about you!
One of the things I haven't seen mentioned yet is my "handyman" PaPa. The other day I was remembering a very neat "study station" that you made just for me. (Sure, there may have been others, but mine was the only pink, textured one!) Whenever we had something that needed to be made out of wood, you were our go-to guy, and still are! You helped me with science fair projects, teaching me about Simple Machines and the way things work. And my girls are the very lucky recipients of a one-of-a-kind, giant dollhouse bookshelf! It is so fun to plan and work on these projects with you!
I was so lucky to grow up near you for most of my life, and I guess I was spoiled, because I really miss seeing you so often now. Twice a year (or so) is not enough! It seems that all of my happiest memories and funnest holidays include you and Gramma! To this day, whenever I make some special dessert or treat I remember how you used to say that I'd "Make some guy a great wife someday" and how that always encouraged me to learn the most and be the best I could be. I've always wanted to live up to the way you saw me.
I'm grateful that my girls are getting a chance to know you and learn from you.
There's so much to say! I hope you have a wonderful 80th birthday. You deserve the best! I love you so very, very much!
Reg
One of the things I haven't seen mentioned yet is my "handyman" PaPa. The other day I was remembering a very neat "study station" that you made just for me. (Sure, there may have been others, but mine was the only pink, textured one!) Whenever we had something that needed to be made out of wood, you were our go-to guy, and still are! You helped me with science fair projects, teaching me about Simple Machines and the way things work. And my girls are the very lucky recipients of a one-of-a-kind, giant dollhouse bookshelf! It is so fun to plan and work on these projects with you!I was so lucky to grow up near you for most of my life, and I guess I was spoiled, because I really miss seeing you so often now. Twice a year (or so) is not enough! It seems that all of my happiest memories and funnest holidays include you and Gramma! To this day, whenever I make some special dessert or treat I remember how you used to say that I'd "Make some guy a great wife someday" and how that always encouraged me to learn the most and be the best I could be. I've always wanted to live up to the way you saw me.
I'm grateful that my girls are getting a chance to know you and learn from you.There's so much to say! I hope you have a wonderful 80th birthday. You deserve the best! I love you so very, very much!
Reg
Happy Birthday!
What a milestone to reach! Thinking about it - I'd have to say we go way back :) Some of my earliest memories involve adventures with you. How I enjoyed the weekends we spent helping work on the Canyon house! I have many fond memories of the house on Rosewood as well! Sledding down many different hills in Pocatello - with and without the aid of the little pickup truck. I remember sledding in the front yard at Blackfoot as well - with you driving a car pulling the sled behind. Such times!
I am pleased to say that I inducted you into the King Kukamunga fellowship as well. You might not remember - but it was in the basement at Blackfoot and we had you blindfolded. I don't remember the whole ceremony now - but I do remember that while you were standing - we put a wet rag on the seat behind you - so when you sat down you were OK for a minute. Then the water started seeping through and when it reached your skin - you shot out of that chair! You even put a little dent in the ceiling with your "scepter" (a broomstick).
I'm so glad that you took the time to put the pool in for Mom and Dad. I remember helping with the calculations on how much cement it would take. I'm still impressed with how you were able to figure that all out!
You were always there for important things in my life - baptism, graduation, marriage, etc. That means so much to me! You've always had such a great work ethic - I know it's hard for you to slow down. I think if you had your way you'd be out on a welfare farm or helping someone else build a house. I've got a lot of credit over the years for putting in that garage door opener in American Fork - but without you helping me mount it - and helping with jobs requiring strength it would never have gotten done. You have a way of helping and then giving others the credit. That's a rare quality!
I'll never forget this trip we took - up the coast to Cambria! It was a once in a lifetime experience being with you, Grandma Jo and Mimi (even if you did snore a lot!)
My girls have so enjoyed the opportunity of knowing and loving you. 
I think this picture shows how well you have loved each of us - and had so much fun with us as we were little! Thanks for being such a great grandfather - really the only one I knew for most of my life! You've helped me understand better how our Heavenly Father must love us. I love you!
FROM CHUCK:
When I was a little boy I would go duck hunting with Dad. We would go down to the willows North of American Falls. There was a lot of back waters and marshy areas then. There were some times that we came home with ducks but I remember most that I got to be with Dad. I do recall that we had a Black dog I think she was a Springer Spaniel. I had named her Sally. I don’t recall if mom and dad had gotten the dog for me or if the dog was a nice hunting resource for dad that I got to play with. Sally would go into the water to retrieve the ducks that dad shot that was nice. Once Steve, who lived with us for a while, was with us (or was it that I was with them) but for some reason Steve got a duck and Sally was not with us so Steve went into the water for the duck. The water was rather cold. That may have been the fall before Becky was born.
I don’t remember playing catch with dad very often. In fact there was only one occasion that sticks out in my mind. We were living on Chestnut in Walla Walla. Dad was home between trips and we were out playing baseball. I had tried out to be a catcher for little league. So dad was pitching me the ball. We had an old type drive way. There were two cement strips that were parallel about a foot wide. I threw a ball back to dad and not being as proficient at throwing a ball as I might have been dad had to jump for the ball and when he landed one of this feet was on half on and half off one of the cement strips. He sprained his ankle very badly resulting in a wonderful display of blues, yellows, greens, and purples which changed over time merging and blending over the next few weeks to make this an event to remember.
There were many times that I went with dad camping. We would sleep out with the scouts. As he was the scout master I got to trail along and be present for many fine experiences. Snipe hunting was a camping favorite. We used to play a game called “Are you ready brother?” Two boys would lay on their bellies clasping hands and in the other hand there would be a rolled up newspaper or magazine. Both boys were blindfolded. The two took turns, the one would start saying “are you ready brother?” the other would answer then the beating was on as the one asking tried to score blows on the other. It seams that he got three swings. Then it was the others’ turn. Because I was little I didn’t get to play much but that was great fun.
We also played steal the bacon. This was a two team game that most everyone knows how to play. I enjoyed creeping through the brush and what have you. These are things that I would never experienced had it not been for dad letting me participate. When I grew up a little they were not played in scouts or on outings. The fun had given way to which troop could have the cleanest camp ground. Wonderful memories of times with dad.
There were summers too when I got to travel with dad. I recall dad letting me put a small pile of rocks on the floor of the car and we would go along he coaching me as to when to toss a stone to hit a road sign. I got reasonably good at this. When I was older (early teens) I would be with dad sitting close to him and he would fake a heart attack and I would “have” to drive with him controlling the gas and brake.
Love you, Dad! Happy Birthday!
When I was a little boy I would go duck hunting with Dad. We would go down to the willows North of American Falls. There was a lot of back waters and marshy areas then. There were some times that we came home with ducks but I remember most that I got to be with Dad. I do recall that we had a Black dog I think she was a Springer Spaniel. I had named her Sally. I don’t recall if mom and dad had gotten the dog for me or if the dog was a nice hunting resource for dad that I got to play with. Sally would go into the water to retrieve the ducks that dad shot that was nice. Once Steve, who lived with us for a while, was with us (or was it that I was with them) but for some reason Steve got a duck and Sally was not with us so Steve went into the water for the duck. The water was rather cold. That may have been the fall before Becky was born.
I don’t remember playing catch with dad very often. In fact there was only one occasion that sticks out in my mind. We were living on Chestnut in Walla Walla. Dad was home between trips and we were out playing baseball. I had tried out to be a catcher for little league. So dad was pitching me the ball. We had an old type drive way. There were two cement strips that were parallel about a foot wide. I threw a ball back to dad and not being as proficient at throwing a ball as I might have been dad had to jump for the ball and when he landed one of this feet was on half on and half off one of the cement strips. He sprained his ankle very badly resulting in a wonderful display of blues, yellows, greens, and purples which changed over time merging and blending over the next few weeks to make this an event to remember.
There were many times that I went with dad camping. We would sleep out with the scouts. As he was the scout master I got to trail along and be present for many fine experiences. Snipe hunting was a camping favorite. We used to play a game called “Are you ready brother?” Two boys would lay on their bellies clasping hands and in the other hand there would be a rolled up newspaper or magazine. Both boys were blindfolded. The two took turns, the one would start saying “are you ready brother?” the other would answer then the beating was on as the one asking tried to score blows on the other. It seams that he got three swings. Then it was the others’ turn. Because I was little I didn’t get to play much but that was great fun.
We also played steal the bacon. This was a two team game that most everyone knows how to play. I enjoyed creeping through the brush and what have you. These are things that I would never experienced had it not been for dad letting me participate. When I grew up a little they were not played in scouts or on outings. The fun had given way to which troop could have the cleanest camp ground. Wonderful memories of times with dad.
There were summers too when I got to travel with dad. I recall dad letting me put a small pile of rocks on the floor of the car and we would go along he coaching me as to when to toss a stone to hit a road sign. I got reasonably good at this. When I was older (early teens) I would be with dad sitting close to him and he would fake a heart attack and I would “have” to drive with him controlling the gas and brake.
Love you, Dad! Happy Birthday!
Thursday, September 20, 2007
For my Papa
When I think of my grandpa, many things come to mind. I have actually made a list !
You have always been there for us. Never has a big moment come that you have not been part of.
Never has a knee surgery kept you from doing cartwheels with me on the front lawn or at Temple Square.
Never has a BYU/Ute game been played where we have not received a call from you asking if we saw "that last play".
I also think I could have had the down payment on my home if I had just saved all the money you paid me for pulling off your boots. Let's face it, when you curled your toes it really was hard!
I am so glad we have home movies of the plays you would help us grandkids put on every holiday. With those memories and having a character in the meadow named after us, we have the best imaginations...started by you. You never cease to make us laugh and have a good time. I still don't know the real words to all the songs you've taught us. And your dancing--no one compares!
Decorating for holidays was always a special time, especially if we got to put the angel on top of the tree with your help! And you never even got mad when we would ruin the tree box by sliding down the stairs at Canyon.
Going to the garden, any gardens of yours, has always been a treat and you are treating my children the same way, with love and taking time to show them how important they are by that. I always felt important to you. You would take the time to help build my bedroom (even if you did leave me holding the sheet rock over my head when you went to get something to eat)!
Growing up and having you around has been such a privilege to me. I always had a great dancing partner, story teller, and friend around. I was lucky! Who else would let you climb on their house to pick cherries at Cherry Hill?
Thanks for raising my dad to be the dad he is!
You are the greatest with the best smile and laugh around. I am grateful you have taught me so many things that I can teach to my own children. It's been the best 25 years I've had that I could have ever asked for, with you. You mean the world to us! Even though we don't live as close, we are still thinking of you, praying for you, and wishing we were there.
We love you and wish you a very happy birthday! 
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Wow!! What a Dad!!
From the very first time that I met you - brazen hussy that I was - I have tried to be better than I was! That is because you always set such a good example for me. You were someone I deeply respected and the person I looked to for advice. You have never let me down in that department and I am so glad you passed your personal philosophies on to your youngest!! (I think that is the real reason I married him...but don't tell him that! He still thinks I married him for his looks!)
I remember family prayers in Spokane, Priesthood blessings, gardens growing, my conversion and baptism, compassionate and loving service and sacrifice to my non-member family, but mostly acceptance of one wild & crazy young girl!! I am so glad you had faith in me - and still do. People talk about a legacy that we leave and I am so blessed to be a part of yours!! My children are the good people they are today because of the Bryan blood that runs through them and the lessons taught by you and Grandma.
I know it is hard to be separated for "the birthdays", but we'll be back and we can party then!! I think it is so cool that our 4 birthdays are so close! It is so fun to celebrate together. Enjoy your special day!! We love you so much!! Your "Other" Daughter Sharon
I remember family prayers in Spokane, Priesthood blessings, gardens growing, my conversion and baptism, compassionate and loving service and sacrifice to my non-member family, but mostly acceptance of one wild & crazy young girl!! I am so glad you had faith in me - and still do. People talk about a legacy that we leave and I am so blessed to be a part of yours!! My children are the good people they are today because of the Bryan blood that runs through them and the lessons taught by you and Grandma.
I know it is hard to be separated for "the birthdays", but we'll be back and we can party then!! I think it is so cool that our 4 birthdays are so close! It is so fun to celebrate together. Enjoy your special day!! We love you so much!! Your "Other" Daughter Sharon
To the Greatest Dad - Happy Birthday!
It's pretty darn nice when you get to share a birthday with your dad. Especially when he has always been (and will always be) my hero. We haven't missed too many birthdays of celebrating together, but we'll make it up and you can know that I'm off trying to be a good father and grandpa like I was always taught to be.
It seems pretty funny now - looking back on all the years of you being "29". I really used to worry that I would pass you someday. Now we're both quite a ways past that age!
I can't imagine what it would be like to not have my dad around. You've always been there for me to show me how things should be. I think back to going to motorcycle races (you probably would have preferred other activities,) to showing me how to put sprinkler systems in, to watching me get thrown out of baseball games. My dad was always behind me all the way. (I even remember someone yelling that I "could eat at the table" when I had a big hit in a baseball game in Nebraska!)
Sharon and I will never forget the great advice that you offered as we were preparing for marriage. Gee, I hope I have some of that wisdom someday. Amazingly you have a poor memory in some areas though. Whenever I ask you how you handled a situation that Chuck or Becky or I probably did - so that I'd know how to help kids - you always seem to say that we weren't any trouble and you never had to deal with problems. That must be where I got the ability to "bend" the truth too!
Although we all now have children and grandchildren of our own, I still treasure you're advice. I still carry the email that you sent to all of us reminding us that we all need to follow our Priesthood leaders and do what the Lord commands. Now that I think of it, I guess that you've been telling me that for a lot of years.
Well big guy, this is a great milestone that you've earned. Even "The Duke" never made 80. I sure hope that you find joy in your posterity. You have a slug of people that love you and look to you for direction and comfort. I'm pretty sure that's why we'll enjoy the Celestial Kingdom. We will have such a great reason to all be together and sit around and remember the wonderful times.
Enjoy the day! We'll flip to see who has to pay for dinner when Sharon and I get home.
Love ya,
Bruce
The Best Grandpa in the World
Grandpa,
I wanted to write you this note to how much I love you and appreciate you in my life. Some of the best memories I have are spending time with you. I still remember helping you build your house up on the hill in Pocatello. I still vividly remember when you paid all of us boys for helping out (if anything to stay out of the way). It sure was a lot of money for us boys, and you really helped us learn an honest day's pay. I love you and hope that you have a wonderful 80th birthday. For some reason, I still can't see you any older than 65, but now that my own dad is closing on that age you must be a little bit older than that. I hope that you are always happy and that you have many more birthdays to enjoy.
Love,
Aaron
I wanted to write you this note to how much I love you and appreciate you in my life. Some of the best memories I have are spending time with you. I still remember helping you build your house up on the hill in Pocatello. I still vividly remember when you paid all of us boys for helping out (if anything to stay out of the way). It sure was a lot of money for us boys, and you really helped us learn an honest day's pay. I love you and hope that you have a wonderful 80th birthday. For some reason, I still can't see you any older than 65, but now that my own dad is closing on that age you must be a little bit older than that. I hope that you are always happy and that you have many more birthdays to enjoy.
Love,
Aaron
Dancing with my grandpa
Grandpa,One of the best memories I have of you is dancing with you. It would only last a matter of a minute or two, but my silly awkward dancing and stepping on your boots always seemed to make you smile instead of grimace.
You always seemed happy to see me (whether you really were or not) whenever I popped in to visit.
Your support in all my various endeavors has always meant so much to me. Being eager to hear me squeak out a tune on the flute, violin, or my own voice, or pluck out something on the piano always made me feel I was better than I was.
Thank you.
I love you.
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