Weekly Letter August 28 2022 - Theme Aunts and Uncles

Dear Family: Last week’s get together in honor of Danny and his family was so much fun. Afterwards I started thinking about being Danny’s aunt. Then I started thinking about all the years of family functions that involved aunts, uncles and cousins. My siblings and I didn’t live near our relatives. I’ve come to realize that that those relationships are nourishing, valuable and sustaining. Mom and Dad did make sure that we did visit with them whenever we had the opportunity; dad’s siblings and their families, and mom’s half-sisters and their families. When I decided to make “Aunts and Uncles” the theme of today’s letter, tons of thoughts and memories flooded my mind. This last week, I visited with Riley while she was visiting her Dad, Sheri, Taylor, Kelsy and kiddos this week while they are in Spokane for Carter’s talk prior to going on his mission. This photo is Riley's little Cole and cousin McKay Schnell giving him a ride while they were all together.

Riley and I talked about how much she missed family and now validating and nurturing it is to be around family. Riley and her siblings have had lots of interactions with relatives but one that comes to my mind involved her great Aunt Judy. Brad’s family joined in on the Christmas Eve tradition that Don and Judy hosted that year. Brad’s kiddos were all decked out in the appropriate costumes and Judy kept calling Riley her “Angel Baby.” I’ll never forget that. (Angel Baby is in Brad's arms)

Another memory is when Amy and her brothers had the privilege of helping me in my role as Aunt Suzanne. Glennda had just given birth to Michael and she had complications. So we swooped in and took care of Jenna as a little girl and Michael as a newborn for a week or two.

One more memory – Uncle Don and Rich took Brad and Brian camping shortly after Amy was born. That trip was late getting started, so Don entertained two little boys with his “Adventures to the Land of…the famous Scientist and Forester”. That’s where the stories about “Adventures to the Land of …….got its start. I could go on for pages about all the Christmas Eve Pageants and all the great food, music, talent shows, stories, piñatas and nativity scenes. But I think that’s where my children and my sister’s children grew to love their aunts and uncles and of course their cousins.

At Judy’s celebration of life, almost all the cousins where there and what a salute to their Aunt Judy! (L - R Ben Lloyd, Mike, Andy, Wade & Jenna Field, Zack & Charlie Short, Danny & Chris Lloyd, Brad, Brian & Amy Schnell)

Now to more modern times….I’ve loved to listen to my grandchildren talk about their relationship with their Aunt Amy. It’s easy to tell that Amy has worked hard to show her love to them and in return they adore her. I’ll never forget Amy telling me about flying Marissa to Seattle so she could walk in to the concert that Amy, Mike, Brian & Megan went to, and surprise her parents. I’ve loved to hear Brian and Megan talk about hosting their nieces and nephews when they come to Utah for one reason or another. Now to the other side of the family! Prior to 1980’s the church had Sunday School in the Morning and Sacrament meeting in the evening. This started in the early days of the church because most of the members lived on farms and they had to milk the cows morning and evening. Sunday school was about 10:30 and Sacrament meeting was about 7:30 so accommodate chores. Then after the church started the 3 hour block (it seems to me that happened somewhere around when Mt St Helens blew???) The Rich Schnell family and the Bill Schnell family decided to have “Fast Sunday Dinners” together monthly after Sacrament Meeting on Fast Sunday. This started a wonderful way for cousins and aunts and uncles to bond. We even went to Disneyland together as two families.

Then things happened where my sister in law and nieces and nephew were not allowed to talk to me. The cousins grew up, got married, moved away and the fast Sunday tradition stopped. Now 30 years later, I’ve been able to renew my relationship and friendship with Aunt Sally and my niece Haley. This all started with a sweet loving message sent to me by my nephew Rob. It’s kind of hard to describe the joy that this has brought to our lives. Sally is now in a memory care home and I have lots of interaction with my niece Haley. Joy. This photo is from Sally's 81st birthday party that Haley planned.

One of the joys in my life has been to watch my children and my nieces and nephews love each other, respect each other, care about each other and when they get together it is a truly amazing experience. I need to mention one thing. When my precious sister Judy passed away, Danny flew here from Nigeria. He had quite a time getting here and returning because it was during the pandemic and travel was precarious. Prior to Danny returning home, he bought Glennda and I a little note pad for each of us and accompanied it with a card. At the bottom of the card he said, “Don’t forget me.” I will never ever forget Danny. I’ve enjoyed all the posts that have been on FB while he and his family have been visiting. The Pacific Northwest is a beautiful place (even though it’s been too hot lately) and I’m glad they have been able to visit so much of it. Every night I take time to remember all my family, my children, my grandchildren, my great grandchildren, my siblings and their spouse & their families, my nieces and nephews, my Sister Judy, her family, my parents and ancestors. We have a marvelous family and my life is full because of all of you. I love each of you so much and I think of you daily. Love Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Sister, Aunt Suzanne

Mini Family Reunion because Danny Lloyd and family are visiting from Nigeria

 Weekly Letter Blog post

August 21 2022

Dear Family:

We keep having birthdays in August – Jake’s birthday is tomorrow. Carter talks in church next week prior to going on his mission.  Congratulation Carter.  

My theme today is COUSINS. 

“Cousins are the barometers of how fun a family get-together will be.”  I will say we do have fun when we get together.  

I remember the days when Judy/Don’s family, Glennda/Scott’s Family and my family made sure that we had plenty of cousin experiences; Christmas Eves, Camping Trips, etc. 

I know there is a video out there with from one of our camping trips where everyone got an injury etc.

Glennda and I took a trip recently to Utah (to not only visit Brian/Megan/Hayden), but to reconnect with our Aunts Estella and Reta as well as our Cousins Dixie, Penny and Kelly.  We weren’t raised around them, but over the years we would manage to get a little visit in once in a while.

Penny Romero, Suzanne Short, Glennda Short-Field, Estella Leishman-Romero, Reta  Leishman-York, Kelly and Dixie Romero-Claybrook

Many years ago the Schnell cousins got to go to Disneyland together.  Those memories are still vivid. By the way Haley and Steve Lewis are on an adventure and I love the facebook posts.

Aunt Suzanne, Mandy, Aunt Sally, Amy, Haley, Brian, Brad and Rob

Bottom L-R; Rob,Bill Suzanne
2nd row; Mandy, Amy, Haley, Sally
3rd row, Brian, Brad

The thing about cousins though is that they grow up, they move away, they start their life’s journey, their vocation, their marriages and their own families.  Things are always changing, but the connection of cousins will always be there.  I love that Ben and Amy (cousins) are close.  I love it that when Danny comes to town and we all celebrate. 

Jo Jo, Danny and Dawnie (Don's namesake)

Yesterday we had a mini reunion in honor of Danny Lloyd and his family visiting from Nigeria.  They have been here since early August and they will be visiting Seattle next week and then returning to Nigeria.  But luckily because of the generosity of Ben and Lacy Lloyd, we got to all get together at their backyard, complete with seating, pool, beautiful fence and landscaping. Also included in this great get-together were Lloyd dear family friends; Ron and Ginger Leach and Valerie Merritt  (Don’s long time secretary) and her husband Kerry.

Ben Lloyd, Jay and Alena Short

Danny Lloyd, Glennda Short-Field, Lacey Lloyd (Ben's wife)

Danny, Jo Jo, Aunt Suzanne Short

Don Lloyd, Ron Leach, Amy Schnell-Grubbe, Mike Grubbe, Sharon Lloyd-Fields

Kerry Merritt, Don Lloyd, Danny Lloyd, Ginger Leach

Ron  Leach, Valerie Merritt, Kerry Merritt, Don Lloyd, Ginger Leach

Scott Field, Ginger Leach, Kerry Merrit and wife Valerie

Don’s namesake Dawnie was shy and overwhelmed with all the new people, but she and her mom enjoyed pool time.

Jo Jo and Dawnie

She finally warmed up to Jay and some of us.  Mike and Amy came even though it’s only been a month since Mike got his new knee.  Mike was brave! I always enjoy getting an update on all the SDG boys. (Schnell-Dougall-Grubbe)\

Amy, Suzanne, Mike

Also in attendance were Don’s sisters; Ruth Lloyd (somehow I neglected to get a photo of Ruth) and Sharon Lloyd and her husband (who has been converting a school bus into a Motor Home.  Glennda and I were amazed.)  I love visiting with Ruth and Sharon - nice memories of when we all first met.

Don Lloyd, Ron Leach, Amy, Mike and Sharon Lloyd-Fields
See that great fence in the background - Brilliant Ben !

We had wonderful food, wonderful visiting and wonderful weather. 

I have to add one more cousin photo that melted my heart.  (I don't know if this will load or not.) Dawnie and Emily were displaying my whole theme.  Immediate loving cousins!!

 

I decided to add some other other photos that might be of interest. I'm on a roll with this blog so I'm going to make the best of it.

 One of which is Amy's new granddaughter.

I can't end the letter without including photos of Jay and Alena's summer family visitors; Curtis, Whitney and their little girl Emery.

 

Whitney, Emery and Curtis Perrin  

I’m trying something different this time so that you can see all the photos that go with this letter all at once.  I don't have to send a gob of emails.  I’m attaching it to a blog that I set up a long time ago.

I hope the Portland weather cools down a little soon.  We have been in the upper 80’s and 90’s for a month and my plants are suffering.  My best to everyone.  Keep cool this week.

Love Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Sister and Aunt Suzanne