In Loving Memory- Oma Erika Michel

My daughter Erika with her great-Oma Erika

My sweet Oma- Erika Jutta Kreisel Michel, passed away on August 3, 2015.  It was a sad day for many but also a relief as she has spent many years suffering.  She will be greatly missed!  She went through many hard things in her live, the most significant one being her escape to America from Germany, where religious freedom was threatened.  She came to this land with practically nothing, knowing only a few people, and speaking no English.  She left behind her parents and family, never to see them again in this life.  She made this sacrifice with the intent to bless her posterity with a better life, for which I will be forever grateful.   She struggled for the remainder of her life to provide a good life for her children and to teach them the gospel.  She went through many health problems later in her life, but bore them up with dignity.  

At the care center a few months before she passed away.
  She was no longer speaking or responding to people.  

My Oma was a good woman.  

I feel very blessed to have been able to know her as long as I have, being one of the oldest grandchildren.  I have many sweet memories of her when she was still young.  She took the time to spend with me, even when it was not convenient for her.  I remember one day in particular- I had spent the night (just me) at my Oma and Opa's house and Oma was going to take me shopping for my birthday at ZCMI.  I'm sure I slept right in-between Oma and Opa as we children usually did when we spent the night.  I remember she made me her special German pancakes, my favorite.  I also remember that she wasn't feeling too well that day and I told her it was okay, we didn't have to go anywhere, but she insisted.  She took me to ZCMI and while we were there, we had to stop at the bathroom where she was throwing up and I sat and waited for her for quite a while.  People kept passing me and saying, "Are you with the woman in there?  Is she okay?"  I said yes and eventually we finished our shopping and went home.  This is just one example of how my Oma put others before herself.  She was constantly in the kitchen baking delicious things and she loved to create a beautiful flower garden.  I remember hearing her humming the same German tunes and holding and rocking me and my siblings.  

Oma holding Erika

I think my Oma had a special bond with my Erika, as she carried her name.  Fortunately, Erika has had the opportunity of knowing her and will remember her.

Oma holding Erika as an infant

Oma pushing Erika on her walker at Bear Lake

Oma holding Kyle as an infant

Oma with Heidi in her favorite chair and her dog Molly

All we really have after we leave this life are the memories that we leave behind.  I hope someday I can say that I was as good a woman as my Oma was.  She left a legacy behind for all of us to follow.  Knowing her makes me want to be a better person and to live in a way that would honor her.  

The Hogle Zoo

On July 23rd, the kids and I took a trip to the Hogle Zoo and met up with Oma and Candice and her kids.  Aaron was gone on Trek so I thought it would be nice to do something with the kids that week.

Jared loved the bird show

We had a great time riding the train, the carousel, and seeing all the animals.  They have a new "zoorasic park" exhibit with different dinosaurs throughout the park that move and make sounds.  Some even squirted the kids.  I thought they were cool, but don't really belong at the zoo if you ask me.  Oh well.  It was the day before Erika's big #12 birthday so she was still considered a "child" according to the pricing. 

I actually really enjoy the zoo and have so much fun watching my kids get excited about the
animals.

Look at these other animals we found in the zoo...

Fish Lake

For the Michel family reunion this year, we went camping at Fish Lake.  We went from June 28th-July 2nd.  It is down in southern Utah and it is a beautiful place!  The last time I went there was probably about 10 years ago or so so it's been a while.  

We had a great time together- going on bike rides, fishing and canoeing at the lake, and just hanging out at camp.   The fishing was really good, which was really nice!  The kids also had fun doing crafts and putting on a show together.  The kids enjoyed spending time with their cousins.  My favorite time is sitting around the campfire after the kids have all gone to bed.  

Opa and his boys showing off their catch

Heidi and Jared's Birthdays

May is always a big month for our whole family, but especially for Heidi and Jared because it is also their birthdays.  I honestly think May is as busy a month as December most years, with all of the end-of-the-school-year events we have going on.

  

On May 16th,  Heidi had her dance performance.  This is the first time Heidi has ever had dance and she really had a lot of fun!  I wanted her to have the experience at least once in her life.  She loved being up on the stage and wearing a pretty costume.  

I know this isn't the best picture, but it's such a sweet memory.  At the end of the program, they had all the dads go up and dance with their girls on the stage.  It was great to see Aaron and Heidi up there together.  I could tell Heidi was so happy!  

May 19th was Jared's birthday and he turned 5.  

On May 20th, Jared had his preschool graduation.  He took preschool from Mrs. Carolyn Francom, the same teacher Erika and Kyle went to.  She is getting close to retirement so Jordan will probably have to go somewhere else.  Jared really had a lot of fun at preschool and just soaked everything up like a sponge.

The next day, May 20th, we had a birthday party for Heidi and Jared together.  They each got to invite a few of their friends.  This made things so much nicer for me, as their birthdays are less than a week apart.  Our kids only get a party every 4 years, on the "big" years, and it just so happened that both of theirs ended up being this year- Heidi turning 8 and Jared 5.  

We had a whole bunch of fun games in the backyard and then the piñata.  I loved that Jared got excited about a rainbow unicorn piñata.  Hmmm....  Well, they both loved it, then.  The kids had a great time hitting it and of course getting the candy.  We got the piñata done just in time for a big rainstorm to hit.  Very lucky!  

After the piñata was broken, Jordan thought it could still be used to ride around the kitchen...

Of course, I had to throw a picture in of our adorable Kaylee, happy as always.  

Heidi's birthday fell on Memorial Day this year (May 25th) and we decided to take a trip down to Salt Lake and go swimming in Oma and Opa's pool.  Swimming is one of Heidi's most favorite things to do.  We first went down to my sister's house in Orem and then went out to lunch at Golden Corral, Heidi's favorite restaurant.     

Erika and Lucy chillin' in the pool.  

Kyle and Logan swimming

After swimming, the kids enjoyed a short ride on the horses.  

Heidi is such a sweet girl and we are so grateful to have her in our family.  What a special girl!  I can't believe she is already 8 years old.  

I made Heidi a frozen cake for her birthday...

A Day in the Life of a Parkinson...

Kaylee is well-loved by her older brothers

I guess over the last 4 1/2 months, there haven't really been any big events to take pictures of so I haven't updated my blog since Christmas.  But, as I have looked through my photos, most of them have been of just everyday things with the kids.    Between diapers and baby food and potty training, here are a few little clips of everyday life at our house...

We spent January and February watching Kyle play basketball with Tremonton City.  

If you want to know anything about the Northwest Indians, talk to this kid!

Need I say more?

My boys like to arrange their cars by color...

Showing off her school project.  Thanks, Daddy!  

On Feb 4th, Heidi lost her first tooth!

On Feb 11th, while Aaron was at his Stake Presidency meetings,  I went over to the seminary with the kids and "Heart-Attacked" his classroom.  The kids had a lot of fun decorating it!!  Aaron also loved his surprise when he went into work the next morning.   

That weekend was President's Day Weekend.  (Feb 14-17)  We went up to Boise to spend some time with Aaron's parents.  I regret not getting more pictures there.  Here are a few of my favorites from when we were at POJO's.  The kids had a great time playing games and going on rides.   We also enjoyed playing at the park, swimming in the pool at the hotel, and going out to dinner for Aaron's birthday.  

Mother and son watching the kids play

Feb 28th I helped to do a baby shower for my sister-in-law Alisa at my mom's house.  

March 3rd and 5th Erika and I took our Hunter's Safety Class together at the Logan Shooting Range.  It took a lot of time to do all the reading online and take the tests.  We were both glad to have it done.  I thought the class was actually pretty fun and I enjoyed learning everything.  I especially enjoyed doing it with Erika.  And, I liked shooting guns more than I thought I would.  

A few days after St. Patrick's Day, I looked out the window to see Jared snapping pictures of Lucky with my phone and just giggling.  He had put a little hat on Lucky that he got at preschool and the poor dog was just patiently enduring.  That same day, Jared did his kindergarten roundup and aced it!!!  Yeah, Jared :) (Hence the name tag on his shirt)  Also notice the "fort" the kids made behind Jared.  

Our little future chef displaying the bread he made at preschool

Heidi and Jared just got done riding their bikes and Jared is showing off his ant farm 
that he got for Christmas (and we finally got the ants, and they were still alive at the time...).

Last but not least, our adorable little Kaylee:  She has been such a delight!   She is such a smiley, sweet little baby.  We are so blessed to have her in our family.