Don's Graveside Service - Wildomar, CA

We had Don's burial at the Wildomar Cemetery where my Dad, and his son Aaron is buried. We used their pavillion for the graveside service. We were able to not involve a mortuary out here as Don's casket was delivered direct to the cemetery Friday before the graveside and the grave was closed before the services began at 11am.

Only a few chairs were set up but we are able to sit all around on the block wall that surrounds the pavillion. We counted over 60 in attendance. Dennis conducted, Kim re-read the eulogy, Della sang and then a few stood up for comments about Don inculding Don's boss for NUMEROUS years, Diane and Mom. It was wonderful. We ended this portion by singing Families Can Be Together Forever before going over to Dedicate the grave (which Dennis did).

Mom is consoling Allen "Daddy" Ahlman as his wife Slyvia isn't expected to live much longer. (In fact she passed away three days later). The Ahlman's have been long time family friends -- hense the nickname "Daddy Alhman" which Don, Ruth Ann, Diane, Della and Mary Alice often referred to him as.

Kiley and Tabitha (two on Don's seven grandchildren) get flowers from Papa's grave.

Mom is pictured here with her good friends, Doris Proffitt and Margarit Kuhn-Merrifield. "Aunt" Margarit has been a dear family friend for over 50 years.

Don's family - on the left, his wife Carol, daughter Kim with husband Chris (their four children are in Alaska and unable to make it down for the service), daughter Kristy and husband Travis with their two children Kiley and Tabitha, and Patrick. (Pat's wife Cassandra and son Mathew were unable to attend).

Once again, a family photo in front of the Cemetery Olive Tree. We are so appreciate to all the family who was able to attend. It sure makes it easier to say goodbye when loved ones are gathered together to lean on.

Mom and her girls. Back row left to right: Ruth Ann, Diane, Mom, Donna, Carolyn. Bottom row: Della and Mary Alice.

Mom with the Grosdidiers: Larry, Mary Alice, Mom, Jonathon and Shelby.

The is a closeup of Don's retirement plaque (without the mounted plane below) that Don was able to see and appreciate just in time before he had to leave us. This plaque was sent all over the world to get over 86 signatures from co-workers. What a wonderful momento for 40+ years of service at Flying Tigers/Fed Ex. He sure loved his job!

His two sided plane -- A 747. This side shows his 20 years with FedEx.

The other shows his 20 years with Flying Tigers. Don was an Engineer in the Maintenance Department and worked the last several years in Singapore commuting home. Carol will enjoy using his miles for a trip up to Alaska to see Kim's family.

With so much family in town we received lots of help from our ward families to feed everyone. A special thanks to:

Friday Breakfast - Della made waffles and my ward, Murrieta Hills, brought in juices, milk, fresh fruit, bagels and pull apart bread for 30 along with some yummy sugar cookies.

Friday Lunch - my Mom's ward, Wildomar, brought us fried chicken, salads and desserts for 50. We decided to have the luncheon at my house since we were expecting about 30 -- but when 60 showed up for the burial we were a little concerned. It all worked out and we felt people lingered around more and visited in our home as opposed to be at the church.

Friday Dinner - Graduation night for Megan! My friend Julie Dransfield saved the day by coordinating with more friends to bring us a Taco Feast! It was amazing! Thanks to Julie, Marleen, Janet, Pam, Debbie, Jackie, Kimbur, and Gina! We fed about 25 and I think they brough twice that much. So wonderful to have friends that know how to step in and make a difference. I love you guys!

Saturday Breakfast - Yogurt, Granola, fresh fruit, egg casserole, juices, and potatoes. My friends Becky Smith and Diane Erickson stepped to the plate and took care of us again. We went off our family travelling back to Prescott with full stomachs!

Harrison's stuck around until Monday morning and they helped us eat leftovers. It was an amazing time to be together as family and because of the help of so many . . . we were able to spend quality time together as we were spoiled with so many meals. We weren't exhausted from cooking that's for sure.

My heart is full of love and true examples of Christ-like service. My siblings were all impressed with all that you did. I need to strive to service others just as well as you served me.

Thanks for being amazing women!!! I love you!!!

Funeral Services for Donald M. Moore - Prescott, AZ

My eldest brother Don, passed away on Friday, June 5th. He was 62 years old (he was 16 years older than me). He was diagnosed with ALS otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's Disease 18 months ago. He rapidily started deteriorating the end of May and asked that his son, Patrick who lives in Lancaster area and his daughter Kim who lives in Alaska join their daughter Kristy in Prescott. His continued to get worse and knew his time was short. He was able to say all the things he wanted and needed to before he left us. What a tender mercy!

My sister, Della, my Mom and I were able to do a last minute trip on May 30th-31st and was able to spend some quality time with him. He died just 5 days later. I will never forget the time we got to be at his hospital bedside - his Bishopric came to visit on Sunday just before we left to come back home. They offered to give him the sacrament which we were priviledged to be apart of. One of the most spiritual experiences of my life! What a gift!!!

A family picture taken during the younger years. Don, Carol, Kim, Aaron, Patrick and Kristy. It was great being able to reconnect with my neices and nephews through all this. They are very strong and amazing kids that I know Don is proud of!

Don retired from FedEx after 40 years of service. He retired March 1st and this retirement plaque was sent all over the world to get signatures from those he worked with. The plane is especially painted - half Flying Tigers and half FedEx. He worked for Flying Tigers from 20 years before FedEx took over. It arrived just in time for Don to see and enjoy it.

Carol's ward put on a wonderful luncheon full of comfort food (ham, funeral potaotes, green beans yum!!!) We all apprecatied it before we jumped in our cars and headed 6 hours home to California for the burial the next day.

Pictured here are Wayne, Yolanda, Patrick, Kristy, Travis, Donna

(Travis's Mom) and her husband.

Mom, Della, Carolyn, Me came with Eric and we also brought out Patrick who drove to Wildomar from Lancaster area. It was great being able to spend 6 hours in the car with Patrick and get to know our nephew better. (By the way, his mannerisms are just like his Dad's!)

Lori Roberts, Carol, Kim, Chris, a couple from Carol's ward, Sam Roberts and Mel.

(Mel lives in Prescott with his daughter Lori and husband, is married to Carol's sister, Laura who passed away in February.)

I made a DVD of Don's life to be shown in a room next to the viewing. It is 10 minutes long only to be added too for a family keepsake. We also plan to show it out in California for the family that gathers for the graveside.

Don's casket was beautiful! It seemed to change colors depending on the light of the room it was in. It said GOING HOME on the inside of the lid and below you will see the birds soaring that was engraved all around the casket. Flying Home . . . just the way Don would want it.

The pall barers are getting Don ready for his journey to Calfornia where he

will be laid to rest at the Wildomar Cemetery.

Senior Photos - Megan

We went to the Morgan's propery up in LaCresta and my friend Amy (who's currently taking a photography class and needed "subjects") took these pictures of Megan for her Senior Year. Megan looks adorable . . . . doesn't she?

Stagecoach 2009 - Indio

Brian scored us free tickets to get into Stagecoach - a two day country music festival. County acts like Miranda Lambert, Reba, Zac Brown Band, Lady Antebellum, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisely, Darius Rucker performed to name a few. We had a great time hanging out with our friends the Connors.Emily, Darby and Brandon
We took our canopy charis and hung blankets to help keep us in the shade. It worked -- no one got sunburned. There were about 70,000 people who came -- this is early in the day and it doesn't show the crowds well -- but it does show our view of the stage and big screens.

Brandon and Darby enjoying the music.

The evenings cooled down and since the concerts didn't end until 11pm we had to bundle up.

Madison and Jason made tents out of their blankets and hung out with their glow sticks.

We got these cool mister/spray pump bottles and the guys helped to keep the crowd cooled off.

Courtney and Madison kept cool under the shade canopies during the day.

The kids got to meet Lady Antebellum and get their autographs. They were really excited as we are big fans of their music.

Megan still recovering from her eye ulcer was not able to wear contacts lenses so glasses kept her in the shade as well.

Emily and Brandon got new hats --

Donna, Janet and Marleen. Janet and her daughter Rachel also came to the event and we were able to save them seats so they could be close by.

Donna, Eric with Madison & Jason

Here we are just haning out in our space -- it got REALLY crowded so I was thankful to have blankets to give us more room. What a great time we all had! Thanks Connors!!!

Zion's Trek April 17-19th, 2009

Our Stake does Zion's Trek every four years. This is Eric's third time, I have done it twice, with Megan joining us the last time. This year, Brandon was able to go and Megan could have gone again, but we decided to head to Arizona for the Daley wedding.

Brandon and a group of his friends gathering into families at the Stake Center getting ready to head west!

These pictures give you an idea of how steep some of the trails were. These pictures came from our Stake photographer, he got a video clip of Brandon's family getting their handcart up this hill. He's supposed to send it to me so I can blog it.

Eric was asked to be on patrol on a horse. There were many in the Stake surprised he knew how to ride. He's on the 2nd horse back, his horse's name was Tuff and he's 16 1/2 hands tall. Eric said he was amazing!

The put the families into companies and they travelled together. There were 6 companies total and Eric rode between them to make sure everyone was doing all right.

The even formed the Mormon Battalion and the YM left the girls to push the wagons on their own . Luckily the PAs got to stay behind and help push.

Brandon LOVED the experience and his testimony was strengthened of what our ancestors had to sacrifice. He loved how everyone within the companies came to each other's aid to get their handcars the big hills.

Here is a close up of Tuff and Eric with chaps.

This is Brandon's family -- you can see him on the back left in the red shirt.

Dani & Bryce Get Married

Megan, Jason, Madison and I drove to Mesa for Dani & Bryce's sealing. (Brandon and Eric had Zion's Trek with our Stake). We stayed at a Marriott nearby with the Daley family and had a great time. We arrived on Thursday and I was able to go through Dani's first temple session and then they were sealed Friday morning @ 10:30. We enjoyed a nice wedding luncheon and then came home on Saturday. Megan with her soon-to-be roommie, Bri!
Dani & Bryce

Megan, Uncle Jim and Madison

More of Eric's cousins - The Justice Family, Diane, James (now engaged!), Joelle, Mike & Jen.

Tenaja Falls Hike

Brandon had to visit a National Forrest during spring break for a school assignment so we invited the Connor's family to go on a day hike so we headed up to Tenaja Falls. We had a great time. The weather was overcast and it was threatening to rain shower but it never did -- perfect weather for hiking!

Courtney, Madison, Jason, Megan, Emily, Darby & Brandon

Emily checking to be sure she still has cell service in the Clevland National Forrest.
We had to cross this stream, some waded, others were carried, and then AFTER we crossed, Brandon showed us a rock path the boy scouts made last time they were there. Duhhhh. Brandon and Madison at the falls.
And some were crazy enough to get and . . . . and even go under! Who's child is this???

Here's the group shot we got another hiker to take before we headed back down.