Idaho Memories

While we were in Idaho for Grandpa Wilkes' funeral we were able to revisit some of Jim's childhood and teenage memories!

As we drove into Idaho Falls the first day we drove past Jim's old grade school - New Sweden School. 

Much to our surprise the school was totally renovated and open for business again!  This Fall would be the first time it would be open again since it closed down soon after Jim had attended there.

They had done a great job in restoring it and Jim loved revisiting his old school and classrooms.  The school now has one of each grade and is a charter school.  The only thing missing was the old bell.  No one knows what happened to it??

Of course a trip to Reed's Dairy was a must do!

  

After the gravesite in Teton we drove by Grandma Jane and Uncle Jim's old house.

 Then we drove up to Henry's Fork for a little relaxation.  We stopped at the drive in that had been there since Jim was a boy and had a root beer freeze.

We made it to the river just in time to rent some canoes and go up and down the river.  Was so peaceful and beautiful.

The next morning, the family had breakfast together at Grandma's favorite place before everyone headed home.

      

 And then a stop by the Idaho Falls Temple.

The kids headed down to Provo and Jim, Tessa and I headed north to go up to Grand Targhee where Jim learned to ski.

 As we drove up there the weather looked a little sketchy but was beautiful once we got there.  The view from the top was lovely.

From there we headed to Boise to spend the night before driving home to Portland the next day.  It was a wonderful but emotionally exhausting weekend.
So grateful that families are forever!

Saying Goodbye....

One of the things we are most grateful for in regards to the Wilkes Family Reunion is that Grandpa Wilkes was there to enjoy it and be together with his family.

Just a few days after returning home from Utah and the reunion we received the phone call from Uncle David that Grandpa had returned home.    As sad as we are and as much as we will miss Grandpa we know this is what he wanted and was looking forward to.

He was so anxious to see his mother again, who he hadn't seen since he was a young boy.  We just wish we could have been there to see the reunion.

Jim, Tessa and I drove to Idaho Falls and the other kids drove up from Utah to meet us.

All five children of grandpa's children spoke at the funeral and the grandchildren and great grandchildren all sang.  Logan gave the closing prayer and did a beautiful job.  It was a beautiful service and I think Grandpa would have liked it.

The funeral was in Idaho Falls on August 23, 2013  and then the burial up in Teton.  It was a bit windy but a beautiful day!

 

Because Grandpa had been in the Navy they had a military burial which was special.

 It was very touching to have the flag presented to Grandma.

Jim was one of the pall bearers and they each placed their boutonniere on the casket.

All four of grandpa's brothers were there.  Doran, Glenn, Blair and Danny Wilkes

and both of grandma's siblings - Gordon Clark  and Margene Withers.

Jim and his two brothers.

and Jim and his boys.

Grandma and her kids.

Loved having all our kids there.   All four of us girls ended up wearing polka dots!

After the graveside we went over to the church in Teton and had a family dinner that we had catered by BYU Idaho.  The food was great and it was so nice to just spend time together after everything was over.

We love you Grandpa!

Taking a family photo!

Trying to take a family photo is always a bit of a challenge with these kids!!

Can't not have a jumping photo!

Bear Lake Wilkes Family Reunion}part three

Of course there had to be a family photo taken.  With a group this big that isn't an easy task!

We all wore our great family reunion t-shirts designed by Micah.

 

The names of all the family members make up the branches of the tree.

Here's the whole group! We were missing a few missionaries and a couple of others but it's a pretty good representation!

 Here are Grandma and Grandpa with their children.

And their children and their spouses.

And then each of the children's family.  From oldest to youngest:

The Reber/Hogsett Family

The Wynn Wilkes Family

 The Jim Wilkes Family

The David Wilkes Family

The Tom and Jayna Nelson Family

and then a couple of crazy cousins.