Grandpa Floyd

Still trying to catch up.....

I can't miss out on dedicating a post to Jacob's Grandpa Floyd Israelsen who passed away last month.

Jacob grew up working daily on the farm with his Grandpa. Those are some of Jacob's most treasured memories. He had such a great love and respect for Grandpa, and it wasn't too long after joining the family that I too developed a soft spot for Grandpa. He was always so kind and loving to me and made me feel like I had been in the family forever. You always felt special around Grandpa and he always seemed to slip in a compliment that made you smile.

Saying goodbye to Grandpa was an especially tough one for my Jacob. We knew when the day came it would be difficult. However, when we think of the reunion Grandpa had when he reached the other side, the tears of sadness turned to tears of absolute amazement and joy. During his lifetime, Grandpa buried two wives and 5 babies- the thought of which absolutely breaks my heart. He was never a man of great material goods, but I have no doubt he has built an incredible reserve of "treasures in heaven." Now it's our job to live up to the great heritage left behind and be ready to meet him again when our turn comes to see what treasures we've stored up for ourselves on the other side. Thank you Grandpa for all you've done and the thousands of lives you have touched.

Here is Grandpa with Kenna as a baby:


And with Allie:


And a four generation picture when we blessed Ty:


It couldn't have been a more beautiful day for the funeral. The sun was shining and it was the perfect temperature. The graveside service was done at the Logan Cemetery.



Many thanks to my mom, Ty man got to stay at Grandma and Grandpa Otte's house and have a great nap and play his little heart out. That meant the rest of us could enjoy the day and time with family without chasing a very active little one-year-old. It ended up being a fairly long day and Ty would have never lasted. The girls, however, were super. Many thanks to a very special friend of Uncle Karl's (who we finally got to meet and just thoroughly enjoy) the girls got some paper airplanes to throw around:



Speaking of Karl and his "friend," here they are. I can't get over how much they look alike. She looks like a sister!


We love Grandma and Grandpa Israelsen!


The girls LOVED playing with cousin Olivia:



The ever-handsome Uncle Ross with cousin Olivia:


And the dashing Uncle Benson with cousin Kylie. I have to throw in a word for sweet little Kylie girl. This lady just celebrated her first birthday. She is a beautiful, healthy, happy little girl. You would never know that just one year ago she was born at 28 weeks gestation and was weighed pretty much in ounces. We can't get over what an amazing year she's had and the progress she's made. She will probably actually beat Ty when it comes to walking. Way to go Kylie!


The much-loved Aunt Marlene:
And I of course have to put a good word in for all our other Aunts and Uncles who, for who-knows-what-reason, didn't make it in my pictures.

My joy, happiness, and my whole world (minus Ty guy, of course):


The entire Clark Israelsen Clan (with honorable mention to Hermana Maria who is serving so dutifully in Argentina, and Ty once again). We hate to brag, but, well, we are one good-lookin' bunch!


Here is Grandpa Clark in the middle surrounded by his siblings who all, in one way or another, contributed to a beautiful funeral:


It's an honor to have married into such a wonderful family. Thanks to you all! Especially thanks to Grandpa Floyd for setting the bar high, and giving us the love to let us know we can definitely make it.