Happy New Year!

Sorry it has been so long. This year, so far, has not been the best. My dear Uncle Keith passed away before New Years and I went to Utah for his funeral. Here is a copy of his Obituary:

Keith Henry Swenson, age 83, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday December 30, 2009, after enduring a multitude of physical ailments in his old age. He knew much of pain and suffering without complaint in the final ten years of his life and fought valiantly to extend his life. He was born June 10, 1926 to Magnus Henry and Earlinn Eaby Barratt Swenson. He was an only child, but considered his many, many friends as siblings. He always had an amazing love for his beloved parents, and set a great example of devotion and service to them. He graduated from West High. He served a 2 1/2 year mission to Sweden, the land of his ancestry, from 1946 to 1949. His missionary companions and associates became his life long friends, which he maintained through consistent mission reunions. He learned the Swedish language and used it throughout his entire life, keeping in touch with his friends and relatives in Sweden right up to the end. He attended the University of Utah and was on the football team. He married Mary Louise Cummings for time and all eternity on November 6, 1950 in the Salt Lake Temple. They had four children, David (Shelly), Reid (Nola), Mary Ellen, and Paul (Elizabeth). Mary Louise preceded him in death on June 1, 1985. Keith then married Reida Jean Johnson for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on September 3, 1986 and they have shared a wonderful life together. Reida filled the role of wife, mother and grandmother with love and devotion. Having lived through the Great Depression, Keith valued a good job and frugality. He worked for Bullough Insulation & Supply Co. for 37 years becoming its President. His customers became his close friends. He was a great provider for his family and was honest in all his dealings. He was a faithful and valiant member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was an Elder, Seventy, and High Priest, and served in many callings including Stake Executive Secretary, Bishopric, Stake Missionary, and teacher. Keith was thankful for and loved God's amazing creations and traveled the world to see, photograph, and enjoy them. He loved fine music and enjoyed recordings and concerts. He cherished his pioneer heritage and had a great love for America which he instilled in his family. He felt the urgency of family history and capturing special moments. He will be remembered for voluntarily recording hundreds of meetings, including missionary homecomings, farewells and funerals as a service and gift. Keith had a tender heart and was easily moved to tears over little things. He leaves a legacy of gratitude, love, and testimony. He is survived by his wife Reida, his children, grandchildren David C., Devon, Marcus, James, Cindy, Anika Orrock, Nathan, Jacob, and Emma, and six great-grandchildren. A special thanks to John and Kaloni Taumoha'apai, their live-in care givers, who showed tireless love, kindness, and gentleness right to the end.


It was a beautiful service and a beautiful day.

I stayed with Anthony and Rachel while I was there, Spencer and the girls didn't go, we couldn't afford it. I'm so glad that I was able to go though, it didn't seem right not to. A day before I went I went to an Urgent Care for another sinus infection. The medication started to work, but staying with Anthony and Rachel proved to be too fun and I didn't get much rest due to fun games and the medication stopped working. After the funeral, on my way back to Anthony and Rachel's I got a phone call from a bakery that I interviewed with before Christmas. They offered me a part time position as the only pastry chef. I started that the day after I returned from Utah. I didn't get much sleep because I was so busy trying to get stuff done that they needed in the bakery. Being the only pastry chef I don't get everything that I would like to get done done. Well, a sinus infection turned into a worse sinus infection, flu, and what my doctor calls a "run of bad luck". I have been bed ridden this entire week, so forgive me for not posting earlier. Spencer has been a gem. He has taken great care of the girls and me. I went to the doctor and he did a bunch of tests to see why I have been sick for so long. Most of them came back normal. A CT scan of my sinuses showed that I had a sinus infection (duh) so he started me on a double dose of a stronger antibiotic. I'm done being sick. No more this year!

Before I got really sick, I did CJ's hair like I had mentioned in a previous post. I took pictures so I could show everyone how cool it looks. Avary wanted her pictures taken too so here are a couple pictures of my beautiful girls before church:


Everytime I do their hair like this, a lot of moms come up to me asking me to show them how I do it, it's too funny. Anyway, I think it turns out really fun and the girls really like it when I do their hair.

Well, that is what has been going on in our house since it turned 2010. Spencer's birthday is this week, so I hope I can feel good enough for that so we can celebrate it good.

Happy New Years!!!