Remembering My Grandpa

Maurice Russell Truax

August 25, 1927 - November 5, 2008

In early November we were saddened to receive a call with news that my Grandpa had passed away. Although it wasn't completely unexpected, it's still hard to say good-bye to someone that you love. I am so thankful for all the wonderful memories I have with my Grandpa over the years and it was a blessing to be able to attend his memorial service in Oregon. His full obituary can be seen at http://www.lagrandeobserver.com/News/Obituaries/Obituaries-for-the-day-of-November-7-2008

I am so grateful that both of my children were able to meet my Grandfather and that we were able to get pictures of each of them with him.

My grandparents celebrated 60 years of marriage in June of this year!!

Bonnie and I decided to take a road trip to travel to the memorial service. It's the first "sister road trip" we've taken in about 4 years. Since it was such a long drive in just a few short days, we only took the babies with us. Here's Ashlyn and Joshua, ready for a long drive.

Our family with Grandma

The pallbearers were Doug, Rod, Russell, Don, Robert, and Kelly

Bobby conducted the memorial service, recalling some of his special memories of Grandpa and testifying of the hope that can be found in Jesus Christ.

Bonnie sang Grandpa's favorite hymn, In the Garden

A flag was presented to Grandma in honor of Grandpa's service in the Navy during World War II

Following the memorial service we went over to the radiator shop that Grandpa and Grandma owned for over 40 years.

The current owners closed the shop for the day and left a few pictures and a note remembering Grandpa.

Grandma with her 3 children

Grandma with 5 of her 7 grandchildren (and Jasmine too)

It was a beautiful time to be in Oregon! There was so much color on all the trees.

Ashlyn enjoyed a dip at the hotel pool with Aunt Joy

It was a long drive from California to Idaho and back in 4 days, but Bonnie and I were so glad that we were able to be there. The babies both did wonderful in the car, although by the time we started traveling back they were on to the fact that getting put into the carseat meant they would be there for a few hours til getting out again. We had some great "sister time" catching up on all the things that we don't get to talk about with little ones around.

Grandma with her 2 grandbabies

Papa and Nana with 3 of their 5 grandchildren

Birthdays, Field Trips, and a few other things

When Nathan asked Micah what he wanted to do for me for my birthday, he was quick with his reply. "I know! Let's take her to Chuck E. Cheese!" So we celebrated my birthday at his favorite place. Micah and I played lots of games, had a blast, and got lots of tickets to redeem for some cool toys!

While Micah and I were playing games, Daddy and Ashlyn hung out together

We also celebrated on my actual birthday with lunch at BJ's. Yumm!! Pizza and Pizzookie!

Ashlyn looked so big sitting in a high chair for the first time

Ashlyn and I got to spend a girls' day out in Ventura to celebrate Auntie Vonna's birthday.

Faith Kids had an ice skating field trip and we had so much fun! Here's Micah and Kelly getting ready to hit the ice.

We played in the shaved ice...

Micah got some practice by starting out with the bar...

but then he ventured out on his own and did great!

Here's a little video so you can see how good he did at ice skaing

On another Faith Kids field trip we visited Underwood Family Farms

Micah got to pick out his very own pumpkin

The kids were very eager to ride on the little train

And were so excited once they finally got on.

We even got to see some farm animals. So rare here in So. Cal.

And before we left the kids and I ventured through the corn maze and actually made it all the way through. We had some help from others going through the maze with us.

Once we made it to thy pyramid of hay we were able to look over the corn field and see everywhere we had been.

Micah was very excited to have his name moved up to the Rejoice sign in Faith Kids! This means he did a really good job that day.

Havin' fun with Daddy!

Our muchkins in the Pumpkin Patch

Lost in a patch of pumpkins...

Ashlyn at 7 months old

She loves jumping around in her Johnny Jump-Up!

Micah had a blast taking the trast out in the rain. He donned his rain gear and loaded up the wagon.

Finally, a new post

I can't believe it has been nearly two months since my last post. I guess this fall ended up being much busier than I had anticipated. Anyway, following are some pictures of our fun times in Idaho. Be warned, there are lots of pictures, but it is truly only a sampling of all that we took during our time there. I've taken lots more since we returned, but those will get posted on another night... hopefully within the next few days.

Vacation in Idaho

In October we traveled to Idaho to visit with our family up there. It's always a long drive, but the kids did a great job sleeping in the car and patiently finding things to do to pass the time. Here's a little recap of what we did while we were there... (We were there for 3 weeks so there are lots of pictures)

Yeah!!! We finally made it!

The first item on the agenda was a Bronco game. Nana and Uncle Bobby are huge Boise State Bronco fans and they have worn off on Micah. So he was very excited to attend his first college football game. And they won! What a fun game! Here he is with Uncle Bobby and Daddy.

Cheering with Papa and Nana

This was Ashlyn's first time in Idaho so she got to meet a lot of people for the first time. Here she is with Grandma Sue (Nathan's mom)

Ashlyn with Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa Truax (Barb's grandparents)

We were so blessed to have this opportunity for Ashlyn to meet her only Great-Grandpa and even be held by him for a few minutes, as two weeks later he passed away.

Aunt Joy Joy with the kiddos

~ Jasmine, Ashlyn and Micah ~

Ashlyn's new favorite place is in her Great-Grandma's lap!

Ashlyn had her first sleep-over, with her cousin Jasmine.

Jasmine loves holding Ashlyn's hand!

Aunt Joy-Joy, thanks for watching our baby girl so we could have a night away.
(And thanks for watching Micah for us Nana!)


We celebrated Daddy's 34th birthday while we were there. Micah came up with the idea for Daddy's cake and decorated it himself. (It's a pond with gummy fish, worms in the dirt, and a gumdrop fence all the way around.)

It was the first time in 17 years that Nathan was able to celebrate his birthday with his mom and his sister.

Aunt Becky had fun lovin' on Ashlyn

And so did Daddy...

Micah greatly enjoyed a belated birthday present from Uncle Bobby and Aunt Joy ~ his very own Bronco blanket! He sleeps with it every night.

Micah did lots of work in Idaho too! Here he is "working" on the playhouse.

Mowing the lawn with Papa is always a highlight of our time in Idaho.

Ashlyn loved the puppy Biscuit, especially pulling his hair!!

Ashlyn got all dressed up for her first tea, with Nana and Mama. She looked like a princess.

Grandma and her little princess

Feeding the ducks is always fun!

Aunt Joy and Ashlyn

Ashlyn's first bath in the big tub. She loves the water!

Barbara, Grandma, Ashlyn, Joy, and Mom

Happy Birthday!

Since we all share birthdays within two months of each other, we all went out to lunch to celebrate together. It was a fun time!