Coast Guard Jace

When we cleaned out Shane's dad's house, we found a whole bunch of his old military uniforms. Jace couldn't resist trying on the Coast Guard stuff! We couldn't believe how small all these clothes were!

Bingham Copper Mine

 We live so close to the Bingham Copper Mine, that we decided to have a quick family outing. $5 a car and a nice hour or so.  We had fun looking at the big trucks and walking through the visitors center.

Shane had never been there. When we got to the top there was a tour bus there and we got someone to take a picture of the whole family. We also had a great drive home because we saw a coyote and some deer.

Spirit Week at school!

We had spirit week at the elementary school this week. The girls didn't want to do crazy sock day, but Jace sure did! He also wanted to wear flip flops so people could "see the cute penguins" on his toe socks!  Off topic: why does he suck on  the collar of his shirts? Do your kids do that?  

Crazy hair day--all angels!

What a happy cougar fan!

Crazy Hair Day!

Hallie- super high ponytail with a little blue spray!

Abbie's version of  "Pippy Longstocking" -also with a little blue--we have to declare our BYU loyalties during rivalry week!

 

All Jace cared about was being able to spray his hair blue!!

Cute kids at the bus stop this morning with their crazy hair!!

Viron Hart Toponce

A few days after my Grandmother died, Shane's dad passed away unexpectedly. It has been a really sad and shocking thing for our family. He was always so kind and loving to us all and we will really miss him. I wanted to post his obituary here to have it easily accessible and so we will have it in a few locations.

On Wednesday, August 3, 2011, our beloved son, brother, father and grandfather, Viron Hart Toponce, passed away from heart failure.
He was born November 21, 1946 in Ogden, Utah to Keith and LaRue Toponce. He was a proud graduate of Ogden High School class of 1965. Following his high school education, he earned his Masters Degree in Education at Weber State College.
Viron married Maria Sandman on January 27, 1967 and their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on May 28, 1971. Although later divorced, Viron and Maria remained friends.
He served in the Coast Guard and then joined the United States Air Force retiring in 2002 with over 35 years of dedicated service.
Viron was blessed with two sons, Shane in 1972 and Brandon in 1976 whom he loved and took pride in. His greatest joy was being a grandpa to six grandchildren and the times spent with them.
He taught at South Ogden Jr. High for three years, North Ogden Jr. High for 27 years and he considered himself a true Knight. Through teaching, he touched many lives and found excitement in the classroom and on the field as a coach. Viron felt that teaching was one of the most rewarding experiences of his life. Even after retirement in 2010, he missed being in the classroom and continued to substitute. Viron was an avid reader and enjoyed discussing different books with his daughters-in-law that shared his passion for reading. He loved traveling and experiencing the cultures of different areas. Yet, his favorite place was being at the family cabin in Island Park amongst the pine trees and creating memories with those he loved. He was a fanatic about the Miami Dolphins, NASCAR, and one always knew where to find him on game day. When he wasn’t watching sports, he was taking his kids, grandkids and parents out to eat, to movies, to the rodeo and other fun activities.
Viron was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Washington Terrace Fifth Ward. He appreciated the compassion and friendship that those in the ward showed him with their unconditional love and kindness.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Rufus and Zella Toponce, Orson and Reba Hart and his sister, Carla.
Viron is survived by his parents, sister, Cathy (Phillip) Cook, brother, Kent (Helen) Toponce, sons, Shane (Tricia) and their children, Natalie, Hallie, Abbie and Jace; Brandon (Sara) and their children Eliza and Camden.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 11th at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd.
The family will meet with friends on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Thursday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at the mortuary.
Interment, Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.lindquistmortuary.com

My Grandma Jaussi's Obituary

My sweet Grandma Jaussi passed away, she was such a wonderful woman and a wonderful example of service and love. I had the opportunity to write her life sketch for her funeral and I got to give the life sketch at her funeral with my sister Dana and our cousin Hayden. This was her obituary.

Our loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and friend died Saturday, July 30, 2011, at the age of 89. Beth Armstrong Jaussi was born on January 3, 1922, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Joseph D. Armstrong and Norine Streeper Armstrong. When she was three years old her mother died and when she was seven years old her father married Myrtie Jensen. Together they raised a wonderful and caring daughter.

Beth attended school in Idaho Falls graduating from Idaho Falls High School in 1940. In high school, she sang in a popular trio with Betty Brimhall and Josephine Soelberg who remained life-long friends. Beth was a senior class cheerleader and participated in many drama productions. She attended Ricks College where she was president of the Purple Key Club and a member of the drams club.

It was at Ricks that she met Walter S. Jaussi, a track and basketball star whom she married April 9, 1942, in the Logan Temple. The day after their wedding, Walt left for service in the Army and was gone the next four years fighting in the Pacific. They were married 61 years and blessed with six children. Walt passed away in 2003.

In 1966, Beth graduated from Idaho State University with a B. S. degree in education. She taught 4th grade at Linden Park Elementary School for 23 years and was loved by her many students.

She was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many different positions. She and Walt were temple workers for many years.

Beth was a truly kind and generous woman, an excellent seamstress who also loved needlepoint and knitting, gardening and flowers of all kinds, especially roses. Her yard was always beautiful. She decorated her home inside and out for every season and holiday. She loved reading and passed that love on to her children. She was an avid BYU fan and had season football tickets for many years. She loved spending time with her beloved “club” - Norma Hart, Helen Reed, Donna Piper, Geraldine Clarke, Nan Reed, Ruth Cook and Rhea Croft-all friends for over 70 years. She also enjoyed going to lunch with the 24th ward “widows” every Thursday.

Beth is survived by her children: Ann, Richard (Sandra), Jean, Jane, Reed and Mark (Lorie); sisters: Gay (Keith, deceased) Pendleton, Aleen (Duane) Gardner and brothers: Joseph R. (JoAnn) Armstrong, and Charles S. (Karen) Armstrong; 8 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 4, 2011, in the Idaho Falls LDS Stake Center, 1155 First St., with Bishop Doug Hillman officiating. The family will visit with friends from 6-8:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 3, 2011 at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First St., and on Thursday, from 10-10:45 a.m. at the church prior to the services. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery.

How will I ever feel safe again?

We found this in our driveway on Sunday after church. Scary beyond words. Ok, it was already dead, but how did it get there? Our neighbors up the hill have had them, but so far no one on our street. That was always what made me feel better. Now I don't have that comfort. I am so freaked out!