Aunt Alexa

This is my dad conducting the graveside services for his younger sister (54 years old), Alexa.  She died of brain cancer last week.  The viewing was Friday evening in Queen Creek, AZ and the funeral was also in Queen Creek Saturday morning.  We then drove to Thatcher for her burial.  It was a beautiful service.  My dad also gave Alexa's life story and did a wonderful job.  Christian, her youngest of 5 children is currently serving a mission in Pennsylvania.  He made a very difficult choice to stay out on his mission instead of returning home for the funeral.  He and his mom have been able to visit through Skype on the computer these past couple of months.  Christian wrote a beautiful sermon which his dad read from the pulpit at the funeral.  It was very touching.  It was wonderful to see the chapel and into the overflow filled with family members.  I loved going home to Thatcher and being home with my family as well as many members of my extended family.  I enjoyed sitting on Grandma's back porch swing and reflecting on so many happy memories.  As was mentioned about Alexa quite a few times, concerning her family and her love for her children, there is no place like home.  I love to be home and I love to be with my family.  I greatly anticipate the next life when we are all together surrounded by so much love and never again having to worry about separation through death.  I like the quote my Uncle Stan shared that went something like, we can't control the length of our lives, but we can control the depth.  Difficult times like these cause much reflection and helps me to re-prioritize those things that are most important.  I love my Aunt Alexa and will miss her.  I know she's so happy to be with her dad again and our other family members who have left this earth life.

 A beautiful table display in the foyer of the church depicting Alexa's life.

 It's so comforting to be around so much wonderful family!

 Uncle Cory, Grandma Pearl

 The Herrings

 The Langley's

 Aunt Mel & Uncle Cory

 The Bavaro's

 Madi & Abi

 I love my grandma so much!

 Kailan, me, Grandma Pearl & Jordynn

 Alexa's family

 Alexa's daughter Lindsay, her husband Matt Johnson and their beautiful children!

Alexa lived with Lindsay during this difficult time and Lindsay was absolutely amazing.  What a wonderful blessing she was to her mom.  We all think the world of you Lindsay!

 Uncle Stan, Lucas, Whitney & Lindsay

(missing in person but not in spirit, Beau & Christian)

 All of Alexa's siblings and mother

Jan, Susan, Cory, Melanie, Camalee, Grandma Pearl, Randy (dad)

Grandpa Randy and Nikki

 Too much stress for a sister - it's been a big day

 Brooke & Monica (Cory's daughter's)

This is the outside of Grandma Pearl's home in Thatcher

Cooling off at Aunt Cari's

 Hallie & Tillman

 We're jumping in and cooling off after our long hike in the sun!

 Bailey help Taige in!

 Brooklyn & Abi

 Hallie

 Bailey & Chase relaxing with their Itouch

 Check out Taige!

 Jordynn & Jackson! Such a sweet boy!

Family Hike

 Hallie at the start of our hike.  The hiking spot is located in the Gold Canyon area near Florence.  We drove about 30 min. from my sister Cari's home in Gilbert.

 Our cousins, Brooke, Monica & her husband Sven with Lucy in the pack!

These are our 'Oregon Cousins' whom we rarely get to see.  It was so much fun spending the day with them!

 Cyndi, Me, Brooke, Monica & Cari

 Cyndi, Tillman, Hallie & I along with Chase, who helped us SO MUCH, lagged quite a long way behind.  It was a really big hike for such little people! Not to mention the sun coming down nice & strong!

 At the end of the hike is a pool of water that Tillman & Hallie went right to.

Also above the water on the face of the rock are hieroglyphics.

 They just learned about moss and the slippery effects! Oops!

 It's cold water!

 We enjoyed a nice picnic lunch that Cari provided for us!

 Brooklyn, Shayne, Chase & Abi

 Tillman & Lucy

 Cari & Shayne

 We found lots of really big lizzardy friends - ugh!

Sven was pretty sure he saw a Gila Monster as well, so I was extremely nervous climbing around the rocks.

 Shayne & Abi in front,

Wonderful family members in back!

 Hallie, Sven, Shayne & Taige

 Another friend...

 Cousins!

 Our hiking crew!
Mark wanted to come, but he recently had knee surgery (about 40% of his meniscus removed) and wasn't quite ready for this hike! So instead he was a super sweet dad and took Jordynn & Kailan shopping for a prom dress for Jordynn.  It was a first! And, they found one!!

 Kids & water! It's the best!!

 Bailey & Abi

Back to the car at last! It was a really fun hike! Thank you Cari for planning it!

Lucy & Cyndi

Sleepover at Aunt Cari's!

Thursday night the kids went scorpion hunting with Uncle Garret and a black light! You shine the black light on the brick walls, in the rocks, etc. and the scorpions will light up florescent green.  They found quite a few! Scary! Then the boys wanted to sleep out on the trampoline.  They had a sleeping bag laid out for Tillman, but there was no way he was going to stay out there with the scorpions.  We tried to explain that they couldn't climb the legs of the trampoline, but he was not convinced.  So, he had a sleepover with his girl cousins inside.

Taige, Chase, Bailey

Back at the Mickelson's Camp

 The kids had fun playing catch

 and shooting arrows!

 Like father like son.

 Scott can sure cook up a mean hamburger!

Tillman roasting his marshmallow! We also had a great time around the camp fire playing 'Big Bootie'!

Spring Break at Sycamore Canyon

 Hallie & Tillman

 Mason & Chase

 Kailan

 All of the boys were such gentlemen as they lined up across the creek, passed babies along and helped each of us make it to the other side.

 Look! It's the Alice & Wonderland Hole!

Ronnie, Kailan & Cassidy