In Memory of Hal Aveson Ludlow- My Beloved Poppy

The funeral for my Poppy was on Saturday. What a wonderful day in spite of the reason we were all gathered together. The funeral was wonderful- filled with a lot of memories about Poppy. I learned a lot about my Poppy that I didn't even know. He was such a special man who was very caring, thoughtful, honest, and always put the Lord first. I was touched to hear that Poppy's only regret was that he owed someone something. Back when he was working as a driver he purposely took a longer route that added an hour onto his commute. He felt horrible about it and told his employer about it and offered to pay them the hour that he took. I only hope that I can live my life in a way that my only regret is that I feel that I owe someone something. It was fun to hear all of the good memories of him how he always drove so fast- "like a bat out of hell" as his neighbor put it, and that he was a little forgetful and drove through his garage door twice! Us grandchildren sang a song during the funeral "Oh what Songs of the Heart." The graveside was wonderful my Uncle Hal dedicated the grave, there was a 3 gun salute, and some members of the Coast Guard were there. I have never seen a flag folded up close. It was really interesting seeing how crisp they were and how one guy would bend a corner really fast before they folded the flag. Makes you wonder if each movement symbolizes something. Thankfully through all of this Emily behaved really well and did not have a melt down. To catch a glimpse of his life I have included his obituary:

Hal A. "Flash" Ludlow 1925 ~ 2010 Hal Aveson Ludlow, beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, returned home with honor on October 20, 2010, surrounded by his family, after a valiant battle with cancer. Born in Salt Lake City to Ralph H. and Josephine Aveson Ludlow, he is preceded in death by his parents; siblings; Chess, Bo, Marge, and daughter Lisa. He is survived by his dear wife Inger, children; Kris, Karen, Terrie, and Hal, sister Joanne, and a numerous posterity. As a youth, he raised prize pigeons, and enjoyed his pet bobcat "Champ". He could shoot a basketball equally well with either hand, earning him the nicknames "Flash" and "Hot Shot Lud". He enlisted in the US Coast Guard after graduating from East High School, and served aboard ship honorably for three years during World War II. Following his service in the military he fulfilled an honorable LDS Mission to Denmark. Hal was married to his sweetheart Inger Pedersen Ludlow, in the Salt Lake Temple on October 12, 1951. After marrying, he worked for Pehrson Hardware, Ludlow Plumbing, and then retired form the LDS Church Security Department after nearly 20 years. His family and the gospel were always his highest priorities. He loved missionary work and would share his testimony of the Gospel with anyone, anywhere in the world, and his life was a living example of being the Lord's 'go-to-guy' he was dependable and could be counted on to do anything he was asked. He served faithfully as a ward clerk, teacher, home teacher, and Ordinance Worker in the Salt Lake Temple for 18 years. Hal and Inger served a two year LDS mission in the Stockholm Sweden Temple. Fearless, even in death, he always let his cares "roll like water off a ducks' back". His motto was "Okay, let's get going". Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Ackerly, Dr. Hardman, Maryanne, Linda, Bonnie Lee, Clithane and all those who cared for him at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, IHC and Vista Care and other providers. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 23rd, 2010 at the LDS Willow Grove Ward, located at 8539 S. 2200 W., West Jordan, Utah at 11:00 a.m. Friends and family may call Friday, October 22nd at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and prior to the service from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Interment will follow at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.

Emily's First Airplane Ride

On October 20th my Poppy (Grandpa) passed away after a long battle with Mesothelioma. We had to purchase tickets really fast to get down to Utah the following evening. Going through the airport with a baby is a little tricky. There is a lot of things that you have to bring including the car seat, base and stroller. Thankfully once we took off Emily fell asleep and stayed asleep for the entire flight. I was so afraid that her ears would not pop and she would be super cranky the entire flight. Going down to Utah we were on a little puddle jumper with only 20 rows and we just happened to end up on the very last row next to the bathroom. It was so funny because on take off and landing the stewardess pulled a seat out in the isle and was shoulder to shoulder with the rest of us on the isle. coming home we were on a Boeing 757 which has about 45 rows. The flight crew was late so we had to sit on the plane without any air conditioning for an extra 45 minutes, and luckily I was able to get Emily asleep. This plane was cool. I have never been on a plane that had individual TVs at each seat and you could watch actual TV during the flight. It made this flight go by much faster then the first one.

Grammys, Grampys and Emily in the Salt Lake Airport.

New Machines

I finally got my sewing machine and serger. For the longest time I have been wanting to purchase a new sewing machine, but I could not decide on what I wanted. With the new baby I decided it was about time to upgrade my 1925 singer sewing machine to something a little bit better. It did help that the ladies at work at the baby shower gave me money to buy a machine, and luckily with the fair there were specials so I was able to get both a sewing machine and a serger. So I am now the proud owner of a Baby Locke Lauren Series serger and a Brother XR-7700 sewing machine. Now if I just had the time and money to be able to make tons of projects.

Apple Juice

We have been giving little Emily apple juice to help her to be regular and the first time we gave it to her it was absolutely hilarious. She flared her nose, tried to get it out of her mouth with her tongue and was even gagging. I can't wait to see her reactions when she is able to try more foods. After diluting the juice she now drinks it full strength and just loves it.

My first wreath

I am into making wreaths for the different holidays now I have only made one so far, but it is really cute. I found the instructions on U-create, and thought it would be a super easy project. Wrong. It ended up taking me almost 2 weeks, and each rosette was kind of a pain, but after the 40th one made it got a little bit easier. Now I just need to find ideas for all the other holidays. I have an idea for Halloween. Just need to go and buy some black burlap and a wreath form. I am pretty excited. Until I get into a more permanent residence I think that wreaths will probably be my main decoration besides Christmas. If anyone comes across any cute wreath ideas let me know.

Snoqualamie Falls

Going to Snoqualamie Falls was the farthest away from home Emily has ever been. She did so well in the car between mommy and Grammys. She is so cute just sat there and talked to us the whole time. Unfortunately it rained the entire time we were there, and the trail down to the base of the falls is closed until like March of 2013, but we still had a really fun time.

Along with the falls we spent the afternoon with Grammys and Grampys at the outlet stores in North Bend and got her a ton of cute winter clothes. Just need to find a place to get her a winter coat. She is such a well behaved baby, and boy did it help that Nathan had the idea of feeding her in a dressing room. We had such a wonderful day out in spite of the rain.

Mile stones

Emily has had a lot of firsts this past week. October 1st Emily did her first real giggle she has done a lot of squeals and squeaks but she did an actual giggle. We have been trying to get her to do it more often, but with no success. The following night after putting her down for bed I heard her crying and went in to see what was wrong, and I couldn't find her face. She had rolled onto her tummy and was crying cause she was stuck. Alas she has not rolled over since. She has now discovered her feet and is constantly grabbing them along with her tongue. She is so close to blowing a raspberry. It is so cute when she sits there blowing bubbles and talking with an occasional glimpse of her tongue. Plus now she fits in 6 month clothing, but only in the length.

How time flies!

In the past month or so there has been quiet a few new things that have happened in our family. I found my old glow worm and Emily has just fallen in love with it. She just follows it around and stares at it so much. It is a little big at the moment for her to be able to play with it herself so I will have to see if I can find a smaller form of it for her for Christmas.

Emily did the Puyallup for the first time this year. Not sure how she enjoyed it. I think there was just too much stimulation for her and she ended up mostly sleeping the whole time, but it was a lot of fun. Boy is there a lot of stuff you have to take with you when you go anywhere when a baby is involved cause you never know what the weather is going to be like, if you will need a change of clothes, etc. No more doing what you want whenever you want, but it is totally worth it.

In September Nathan's brother Jason got married in the Seattle Temple. What a beautiful day- everything was just gorgeous! We are so happy to have Ryann as part of our family now. It is crazy but from all of the activities that happened that weekend it made Emily so very tired and grouchy never thought we would have to worry about something wearing her out.
Emily started to sit up supported this past month too. Since she discovered sitting that is all that she wants to do now. Just sit and look at everything.


I just love this picture of her I look at this picture and I just want to kiss those chubby little cheeks of hers. This past month she has liked to lay on her tummy for a little longer than usual.
It just seems so unreal that all of these big changes have happened and that she is going to be 4 months this coming month. Where has the time gone?

TV-aholic

Our little Emily just loves to watch TV! Its probably just all the bright colors and big movements that catches her attention, I hope. This picture is just priceless- like father like daughter. Nathan finally got his big screen 46 inch Sony Bravia after much shopping around, and they took it for a test run. when she saw all of the life sized pictures to her as you can see her jaw dropped in awe and she was mesmerized.