Uncle Frank

* * * * * * *
A few months ago, I wrote a posting about going to the temple in Portland when my Mom's brother, my Uncle Frank went through the temple. It was a goal he was able to reach and it brought him so much joy. Well, after a battle with cancer for the past year, Uncle Frank passed away in the middle of July. It has taken me a while to get this posted. I wish I had known my Uncle Frank better, but we never lived near him, so we didn't get to know him as well as we would have liked. He was a good man and my mom lost one of her closest siblings when Uncle Frank passed away. He will be missed. His funeral was in Castle Rock, Washington. That is also where my Grandparents are buried. Those of us in our family who could go, took a whirlwind trip to Washington for the funeral. We left on a Sunday morning, arrived in Castle Rock that night, slept in a hotel, went to the funeral and graveside services that morning and afternoon, then left Washington to drive home around 5:00 pm on that Monday. We were gone for almost 48 hours... Utah to Washington... then Washington to Utah. It was fast, but so worth it. Here are some photos from the short jaunt...

Sunset along the Columbia River in Oregon. Looking through the window. I actually LOVE how this photo turned out. It is interesting.

Along the Columbia River in Oregon.

And more along the Columbia River. Bottom right photo is Mount Hood from a very far distance.

Photos from the funeral:

My mom with Uncle Frank's only son, then with his widow Ellen, then with his best friend Clay, then with their last surviving brother Jerry. My mom is from a family of 11 children as well. 6 girls and 5 boys.

LOVE this one.




After the funeral, we drove past the home that my mom's family lived in when they lived in Castle Rock.

Spencer and Kristi's family drove up from Oregon and met us all there for the funeral. It was so good to see them, even if it was just for a short time. This was their family right before we all left.

And this is the rest of us who drove up in two vehicles from Utah. Multnomah Falls, Oregon.




My parents with Aaron Jr and Me.


top left photo: Aaron Jr decided that starburst wrappers would look good in his nostrils. :)


I love this photo of my parents holding hands. Priceless.

I can't remember what this waterfall was called. Kerianne knew it though... can you help me out Kerianne?

Top photo is of the kids watching a movie before it was dark... then them zonked out in the middle of the night. They slept all through the night. It was a long long night trying to keep drivers awake... I know I nodded off a few times. oops.

And here is the beautiful countryside as we watched the sun come up. Yes, it was a long night, but it was a good couple of days. Uncle Frank will be missed. He passed away too young, but what a joyous reunion he had with family on the other side. We love you Uncle Frank.

One last photo of Aaron Jr and Me.

* * *