'30' Year Class Reunion

Wow, it is sad when you realize that you are no longer young and hip when you are attending your 30th Class Reunion of high school. (We want to think we are still somewhat cool and hip overall ) Joe and I went to high school together, however my 30th isn't until next year. (HA) It is fun to see those people you went to school with and those that you associated so much with during high school. Joe and I both went to Bountiful High School and so we both know a ton of the same friends. I still think Joe is a 'hottie' and realize that while we are aging, we don't look so bad after all! You can see why I was swept off my feet!

My "HOTTIE" husband back in the day...

He is the one that is up front and looks like Patrick Swayze! Joe and I dating in high school. We were inseparable.

So much so that we 'tied the knot' when Joe was a senior and I was a junior! Our wedding on December 20th, 1978

Munga's Update

It has been a while since I have updated our blog, and although many things have happened; I just haven't got around to posting anything. I thought it was time to quit being a slacker and at least post something... SO... Here are a few things that have been going in our life the last few weeks. I just wish I had more pics of some of the funny things that I didn't get a chance to capture. (photos below)

• We had a visit to Idaho Falls to see PresLee and KayCee for KayCee's Birthday
• We decided to do a "Make-Over" on Karen's house while she was away visiting David in Stanley Idaho. We steamed off her outdated wallpaper, tore up the carpet... painted the walls and put in wood laminate flooring, new baseboards; and updated her main bathroom.
• We went back to California to visit Zach, Sara and the kids for the 4th of July
• Richard and Camille had their baby on July 3rd. Welcome Cole Denning!
• We took Mason back to Utah with us for a special visit without Mom, Dad or Baby Carter. (Mason loves to be the center of attention and absolutely loves to go to "Bucca and Munga's House". Mason was hilarious, and darn cute while he was here! A little more naughty than usual, a ton of work, but darn cute!)
• We got robbed. Someone broke into our cars and stole my brand new GPS system. (Slime bag Thief!) It was unnerving to think that you can be so violated on top of everything else that has been going on with our family. And, they left their shoes as a souvenir which the police were very interested in. Apparently a ring of thefts has been taking place.
• Ashley got very sick, and gave us a scare with the "Swine Flu". Luckily, we don't think it was that after all, just a really bad virus.
• Joe returned Mason to California, and to enjoy some time with Zach golfing for his birthday coming up next week. (Joe take pics huh?!)

So...in a nutshell, our life is as chaotic as usual. We loved having Mason visit, THANK YOU Zach and Sara for sharing him with us to help distract us from our grieving. He gave us a run for our money, so next time we dubs Carter...lol. J/K. Here are some fun pics, hopefully you will enjoy them too...

PresLee visiting her Daddy and Brother for the first time. It was a very somber experience. It broke my heart to take this photo.

Mason kissing baby Carter "good-bye" before coming back to Utah for a visit. You can tell Carter wasn't as into the kiss good-bye..LOL

Baby Cole Denning born on July 3rd, 2009

Our project at Karen's while she was away. The floors and paint preview

Joe working hard at fitting the flooring

Mason enjoying a D.I. special big wheel we found. Sorry Zach, the only one there was pink.

Woo Hoo... Mason loved it and it was the best $4 spent besides the castles I bought

Um, yeah...he is playing with Castles, and farms etc.

We made a village and Mason loved it!

He was certainly excited to play with Munga making noises.

That is when he plays pretend with all the characters.

Mason also got a kick out of a fake eye-ball that lights up.

Yup, he is all boy despite the pink big wheel.

Or, the pink Castle....We had fun pretending that the Dragon

was after the people and they had to get rescued.

Mother's Love

To lose a child is devastating, but to lose one so suddenly and to suicide is almost unbearable. I have decided to share a poem that I wrote recently as an "Ode to Joshua". Your love, support and prayers have been so appreciated and have helped us tremendously during this difficult time. As you read this poem, I hope that love is felt and that it also floats toward heaven...

Dear Son...

You came into my life, I was only seventeen
When they laid you in my arms, so much love between
The start of a new family, a tiny baby that sealed our love
Joshua, our firstborn baby boy and gift from God above

We raised you up, before long you were a man
First there was your mission, next your wedding plan
Patiently you waited for your turn to be a Dad
Then the twins were born; a day both happy and sad

A most unbearable pain, you must have suffered deep inside
A burden you could no longer carry, or in anyone confide
Deep inside, you harbored so much emotional strife
The pain that ultimately led you, to decide to take your life

How do you I say good-bye my son, you weren't supposed to go
I still do not believe you are gone; it just can not be so
Now I face a life without my oldest son
I can not understand, because your life had just begun...

There are so many questions now, things that we will never know
Just why you chose this outcome and why you chose to go
Life will never be the same for the family you left behind
We pray that you've found your peace, both in spirit and in mind

Josh, we will forever miss you and pray our hearts can mend and heal
The sweet memories you left us are precious and now seem so surreal
Watch over us dear son, please try to keep us strong...
Help us and guide us, until we are back together...where we all belong.

With Love...Mom

In Loving Memory of our Son...Joshua

We mourn the loss of our oldest son Joshua. Our family is shocked, and saddened by his sudden departure from this life. Josh wasn't himself the day he made the choice to leave. Satan uses depression and circumstances to cloud our mind, corrupting thoughts and keeping us from being the person we truly are. Those of us that were so close to him, know that the Josh we knew, wouldn't have chosen to take his life and leave us behind. However, the hidden pain he harbored caused him to ultimately chose to take his life on June 2nd, 2009.

We ask that as we are trying to heal from this devastating loss, that you all remember Josh for the man he was; not for the way he left. He was truly an amazing person that made a difference in so many people's lives.

Joshua was a warm, caring and fun person who always made you laugh. He chose to keep his pain hidden, always instead choosing to give to others, rather than himself. He knew more practical jokes than anyone; keeping you constantly on your toes for fear you might be the next victim of a prank. Josh had big dreams, he was just starting school again...had just finished his basement and just finished setting up his dream aquarium. Josh planned to live, he had so many projects and things that were recently completed or ongoing in preparation for his future. His future with his family, his dreams and his passions. Someone that wanted to die, would not have had the energy nor the ambition to do the things that Josh was doing.

We will forever remember Josh as the impressionist imitating Jim Carrey, or Scooby Doo, or Sesame Street Characters; his personality certainly made Josh the life of the party. Josh knew when you needed a shoulder, an ear to listen or somebody to help in any situation. He was a hard worker, a person with impeccable integrity and a true friend to so many. Our family could tell so many stories of the numerous times Josh made us smile and laugh.

There was no explanation to ease the pain and no chance to say good-bye...we will forever miss him and hope everyone will avoid asking, "Why", and "What If"... BUT... instead ask, "What Can I Learn From This"? We hope to be able to make a difference in other's lives and pass the test of how we handle this tragedy. Please love those close to you, don't take anything for granted and please cherish life. Until someone or something is gone, you don't realize how important it was; until you no longer have it. We as a family would ask that you seek out those that may be in need of a friend, and watch for those hidden "signs" that we all over look. If we can but save one life by making a difference, it will bring some peace to Joshua's memory.

(We've included some pictures of Joshua during his life as a tribute, most recent to newborn)

Taken on Memorial Day to visit their son Ryken's grave.

Josh is buried next to Ryken now.

Lovin' on PresLee

Showing off PresLee (his pride and joy)

Birth of the twin's Ryken Joshua and PresLee Kate

Brother's and Sister

Wedding Day: September 29th, 2001

Josh's Mission Call

Senior Pic- Davis High Class of '98

Josh as a sophmore

7th Grade

5th Birthday

3 yrs old

1 yr old

5 months old

The day we brought Josh home from hospital

We love you Josh, we will always and forever keep you in our hearts and memories until we meet again....

Mom and Dad

Life of a 2 yr old

Time flys... One minute you are there to help with the birth of a new child, and next you are down there to rescue him. LOL. Joe and I flew down to visit Zach and Sara to see the grandson's and to help with Mason a little. (The 2yr old that is now getting his nose bit off a little as the attention is now turned to the newest member of the family) As it turned out, we realized that maybe Mom and Dad needed more time with Mason being occupied so that Carter wasn't getting crawled on, sat on, or having his face mauled. Besides, they were coming out for a visit soon anyhow, and we could just take Mason home a little early.

As it was, Mason was estactic to have an adventure to go to Bucca & Munga's house without anyone else, and he was even happy as can be getting up at 5am; to leave for the airport to make the flight. Bucca had to go out of town the next day, but Mason and Munga were going to have a great time with some adventures of their own. Little did Munga realize how she forgot how much work a 2 year old can be. We even called Zach and Sara to see if they were sure that they didn't want to come to Utah a few days earlier...LOL. We did have fun, and here are some of the things we did do. We are now enjoying the visit from Zach and Sara and Carter as well.

Carter saying, "Sure, you can take Mason...I am OK with that"....hee hee

Mason sitting on the plane so thrilled that we are flying to Bucca and Munga's house

Mason's adventure with Munga, great aunt Jill and her kids at Kangaroo Zoo.

Once he got the hang of it, he loved that place....Bounce, Bounce, Bounce...


When Bucca came back, we took him to the Dinosaur Park in Ogden

Wow, those are huge! He kept saying, and of course asking if they were nice ones.

He realized this one didn't look so nice...

Unexpected Visit From Josh and PresLee

Unexpected surprises are the best! Josh is usually working when we go visit them in Idaho, so he decided to visit Utah while KayCee worked and he had his days off. Joe had to go out of town (again) for business; so it was just Josh, PresLee and me that hung out for a few days. Ashley was also gone to work or school most of the time, but she did get in a few special moments with her niece. We had so much fun going shopping for a few needed items, going to look for fish for Josh's aquarium, having dinner with Cory, watching movies....and then the next night having great Grandpa Bill, great Grandma Judeen as well as great-great Grandma Helmcamp up for dinner. (Thanks for coming!) 5 generations all in the same room eating dinner together...how cool is that?

Here are some fun pics of the visit... THANK YOU JOSH for driving down and for bringing the baby to share a few days with us. I had so much fun and enjoyed the quality time with you both.

PresLee so happy to be out of the car seat and finally in Utah. (Josh and PresLee had just arrived at Munga's)

Ah, can you resist that face?

She was always watching Rawley. Can you imagine how fascinating it must be for her to see such a large animal up close and not behind bars. Ü



Great-Great Grandma Carma Helmcamp. Amazing it is 5 generations! History!


Great-Grandpa Bill and PresLee



Great G'pa Bill and Great G'ma Judeen, entertaining PresLee w/her glow worm.

She was hoping I'd pick her up here. Such a happy girl.

PresLee saying "cheers" as she thought a stacking cup had something to drink. lol

Daddy checking a pic he just took, and PresLee just content to play toys.

Out on the town for one of our outings to the store...still happy as can be. (Sorry Mommy, I didn't leave my bow on like I should for the pictures... But it was sure fun to pull it off!)

PresLee eating cereal in Munga's highchair. She was loving all the new foods she tried in Utah. (Oh...sorry about the ice-cream and soda pop KayCee...Just Kidding!) "Yumm-O"

PresLee was always being watched out for by our Standard Poodle, Rawley. Notice how big he is next to her, but he was SOOOO gentle with her. Rawley would just go lay by her whenever she was laying on the floor.

Rawley just loved her. He would check on her and then lay back down. Amazing he didn't scare her huh?~ She even laughed out loud when he would play fetch and get the ball.