Grandma and Grandpa Sorensen Visit

Grandma and Grandpa Sorensen came to visit us the first part of October and we had a great time. The kids were in school so we could not go and do as many things as normal, but Grandma and Grandpa probably appreciated that because they got to take a little break while there were here.

They were here over Conference Weekend and during that time we had the missionaries come over for dinner between the sessions on Sunday. One of the missionaries (Elder Aguirre, middle with the scriptures open) was in our Ward lived across the street from Sacha in Riveton and graduated from Riverton High School. The other one (Elder Simmons, also in the middle) is from Idaho and his doctor was my mission companion and best man at our wedding, Brett Zundel. One of the missionaries from the Richmond Ward who attends in our building is my 2nd cousin, Elder Hoyt (on the left), and my parents met him for the first time here in Houston. They know his parents, but they had not ever met him. Elder Northcroft is from Washington and we were never able to come-up with a connection to him. But, it really is a small world in the Church.

The Elders with our family.

Grandpa, Grandma, Ryan, Brett and Jared with Elder Hoyt.

Grandpa, Grandma, Ryan, Brett and Jared with Elder Aguirre.

We took Grandma and Grandpa to the "Turtle Park" to feed the turtles. The kids also needed to get outside and get some energy out.

The turtles going after some bread.

Everyone feeding the turtles.

Grandma and Grandpa looking at the feeding frenzy.

Grandma Sorensen

On May 1st Grandma Velva Sorensen passed away. I would like to write a tribute to her but my cousin, AmiJo Comeford, wrote a wonderful obituary and I would not be able to top that. Therefore, I am posting what AmiJo wrote on my blog.

Our loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Velva Atkin Sorensen, passed away at the age of 87 on May 1, 2007 in Cedar City, Utah. She was the second child of William and Lula Atkin of St. George, Utah. She began her sojourn in St. George, Utah and like the desert that was to become her home, she blossomed as a beautiful rose. Velva was raised in St. George with summers spent in Colorado and on the Arizona strip at the sheep ranch. She graduated from Dixie High School and then attended Dixie College. Velva then fell in love with and married Lowell Sorensen on October 25, 1941 in the St. George Temple. They are the parents of six children. Velva was known as a gifted seamstress, and taught not only her own daughters to sew through the 4-H program, but many others in Cedar City and St. George. In addition to making beautiful clothes and quilts, Velva also created exquisite embroidery work. She was an active member of the Latter-Day Saint Church and served in diverse capacities, including many years as the Relief Society president of the Cedar City Sixth Ward. Her service to others did not end with a release from her calling. Velva continued to care lovingly for the widows in her ward and served many children as an instructional/reading assistant at Enoch Elementary School, as well as ever gently fulfilling the eternal calling of mother and grandmother. All who knew Velva remember her dainty and graceful demeanor, and each friend, family member, acquaintance, and stranger alike was blessed by her quick, fun smile. Though Velva has continued her sojourn into another sphere, her friends and family will forever love and miss her. We will always remember Velva as one who taught us to be better families, friends, and servants of the Lord. Velva, may your eternal journey be a joyful one until we embrace again, never to be separated more. Velva was preceded in death by her parents, Lula and William Atkin; her husband, Lowell Sorensen; her sister, Sylva Tanner; and her great-granddaughter, Tiffany Peterson. Velva is survived by six children: Darwin (LaDawn) Sorensen of Riverton, Utah; Dee (Ellen) , Brent (Vickie), Julie (Wendell) Beck, all from Cedar City; Geraldine (Robert) Comeford of Washington, Utah; and Bonnie (Scott) Smith of Murray, Utah, brother, Floyd (Ellen) Atkin of St. George; and sisters Luen (Gordon) Flammer of West Jordon, Utah and Beth (John B.) Cox of St. George. Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 7, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cedar City Fourth Ward Chapel located at 400 North and 500 West in Cedar City, Utah. Friends and family may pay their love and respect to Velva at the Southern Utah Mortuary in Cedar City at 190 North 300 West on Sunday, May 6, 2007 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and at the Fourth Ward Chapel from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Monday morning, May 7th. The family gratefully expresses their tremendous thanks and appreciation to the Kolob Regional Care Center for their loving care of Velva. On-line condolences can be sent to our website at http://www.southernutahmortuary.com/.

We had the very good fortune of being able to attend the funeral even though the expense to get there was high. That is one of the downsides of living such a long distance away from family. It was a bitter-sweet experience. It was sad to have Grandma Sorensen pass away but it was really nice to see some of our family members that we have not seen in a very long time again. Below are some of our pictures from the trip to Utah for the funeral.

Jared and Conner passing time at the viewing.

Nicholas and Ryan at the viewing. Ryan is doing his grumpy face for the camera.

Tracee and AmiJo at the viewing. Tracee just graduated from college and AmiJo has her Ph.D. and taught a year at BYU. We are all very proud of them.

This is a picture of Henry, David (Megan's husband), Landry, Rollins (Megan's boys), Megan and Haley. I had not ever met Megan's husband before and I have not seen any of them for about 10 years. They came in a group and I did not recognize Henry at all and since I had never met Megan's husband, I thought Henry must be her husband. I introduced myself to Henry and everyone got a big laugh about that. But, I have not seen Henry since he was about Brett's age. He has changed a little since then.

Nicholas, Ryan and Landry. Landry told us that he was done being three and so now he is four. He is quite a character. I think he gets it from his mother.

This is Brett Sorensen holding Brett Sorensen. Brett the younger is Max's son.

The children before the funeral. This is Aunt Julie, Uncle Wendell, Darwin (my dad), LaDawn (my mom), Uncle Dee and Aunt Ellen.

More of the kids before the funeral. This is Uncle Brent, Aunt Vickie, Uncle Scott and Aunt Bonnie. I missed Aunt Deane and Uncle Bob, but they will be in later pictures.

This is at the cemetery. All of the grandsons that were there served as Pall Bearers. Those that were there were Robby, me, Mark, Jeff, Troy, Henry, Richard, Max and Lowell. David could not be there because of his job and Cody is still serving his mission in the Houston area. Cody is only about an hour away from where we live but we cannot go see him.

Aunt Julie, Aunt Bonnie, Aunt Deane, Uncle Wendall and Uncle Bob at the cemetery.

Ryan and Nicholas doing their best to stay out of trouble at the cemetery. Ryan slept through most of the funeral. I guess he thought it was like Sacrament Meeting so he crashed on my lap.

Uncle Bob, Aunt Deane, Aunt Luen's daughter, Elaine (my Dad's Cousin) AmiJo, Jimmy (Hollie's Husband), Hollie, Tracee, Gracie (Hollie's Daughter) and Robbie.