Sunglasses and Lawn Mower

I am not sure why he was opening his mouth but here is Mr. Cool!

Cruz will keep his sunglasses on for a few seconds before ripping them off. He looks so cute in them. Sometimes he gets this little smile like he thinks he is so cool. We also got him the new little lawn mower. He loves it. He can be just like daddy!

Mowing the sidewalk, notice the sunglasses around his neck, that is where he likes to wear them

Thank you

Cruz checking out his new moose

Grandma and Grandpa Frye sent Cruz a get well gift. He got a toy moose and a toy mt. goat. He really likes them. Thanks for the fun grocery bag too! Thanks for the new toys!!!

The Zoo

Cruz loved this big water ball at the entrance of the zoo

We went to the zoo today with Grandma Raddon, Naomi, Mia, and Sasha. Cruz was SOOOOO into the animals. He would run up to all the glass exhibits and pound on the glass to get the animals to look at him. He would get so frustrated when I would pick him up to take him to the next animal. He wanted to stay at each animal the whole day. We rode the carousel, the train, and also played in the park at the zoo. Cruz is taking his nap, the zoo tuckered him out!!!
The kids playing with the rhinoceros

$2 dollar day

Cruz running between the display cases
Cruz, Sasha, and Mia had a good time looking at themselves

On Tuesdays at Thanksgiving Point it only costs $2 dollars to get into the exhibits. I just found out about this and thought it would be a good week to go since kids went back to school this week. Naomi, Mia, Sasha, Cruz, and myself headed for a good time at Thanksgiving Point. We met my friend Victoria with her adorable 4 month old Stella. Victoria got there earlier than we did and said it was crazy. I didn't really believe her until we pulled up and the parking lot was totally full and there was a line about a mile long outside the Dinosaur Museum. We decided to grab some lunch and see if the line would go down any after lunch. Luckily after lunch there was almost no line and we went through the exhibit. All the kids had a great time. I had a hard time getting a good picture of Cruz because he was running all over the exhibit. Later this evening the kids all came to my house and as you can see from the pictures, Cruz's little car is a big hit.

Happy Birthday Mom!

It is my mom's birthday today. This is a tough one...she misses him so much. Ryan, Naomi. Mia (4), and Sasha (5 days until she is 3) decided to drive to Utah today. We ordered in some yummy Mediterranean food from Mazza and had a delicious ice cream cake from Baskin and Robbins. It was so nice that family could be around. We were sitting around the table discussing what we did last year on my moms birthday. Ryan and Naomi happened to be in town last year and we got this private room at an Italian Restaurant. We all commented how that seemed like yesterday and it seems so unreal that my dad is not around to celebrate this birthday. We love you mom and will always be here for you!

Fingers Crossed...

Cruz is starting to feel better....lets keep our fingers crossed!!! He still has some green junk coming from his nose, but he is acting so much more happy and wanting to play. It is so good to see my little boy feeling better. This has been a long road. I hope we can continue on the "good health" road for my family for a while now.

Shawn had a boys weekend this weekend so Cruz and I hung out with my mom. It was fun to spend time with my mom and my sister. It is so nice to have family close. The last few months have been so difficult on all of us, but especially my mom. I love that Cruz and I can spend time with her.

3rd Anniversary

Yesterday was our 3rd anniversary. Both of my boys are pretty sick right now though. Yes, Cruz is still VERY sick. I took him in again to the doctor yesterday because I couldn't break his 104 temperature (that is 5 times to the pediatrician in the last 2 weeks). They checked his ears and it has gone back to an ear infection, which is what this all started with 2 weeks ago today. I feel soooooo bad for Cruz. He has felt miserable for 2 weeks. Shawn also has been fighting this cold/flu thing the whole time Cruz has had it, but on Sunday night the cold got the best of him. He went into the doctor today to get some medicine. Honestly I feel like we keep passing this thing between the 3 of us. Needless to say we had a pretty mellow anniversary. Hopefully we will all start feeling better soon. I am grateful for my wonderful husband....he is an amazing man.

a great photo

I found this photo in my dads file when he was sick. I snuck it to carry around with me during his illness. I pulled it out today and I can't help but smile when I look at it. My dad young, with all of his hair, long side burns, a stylin' outfit, and a huge smile on his face. And then there is me, baby Kelly, just as happy as can be that I get to be with my dad.

I was thinking today how grateful I am that I moved to Salt Lake City in 2002 just after my parents had moved here. I actually ended up living with my parents for close to 3 years. Before my move I was living in Huntington Beach California for 4 years and before that I was at BYU. When I moved to Salt Lake I really didn't know too many people and at first especially, I spent a lot of time going to dinner or to the movies with my parents. Actually once I even started dating more, my parents were always a close listening ear to hear about my dates, since they were technically my housemates. I am so appreciative of that time that my dad got to know me better as a person and I got to know him better as a father and a friend.

The past 2 years we had the same calling in our respective wards. We were both called to teach in Relief Society/Priesthood on the 2nd Sunday of every month. Since everyone in the church teaches out of the same manual we usually were teaching the same lesson. It was fun to compare and contrast how we prepared our lessons....and most of the time I took most of his ideas into teaching my lesson. He was definitely a talented teacher, and spent hours preparing his lessons. That is just who he is, never did anything half way. Always put his best effort into everything. That is a great attribute to remember. He always told me to respect the Raddon name. In that, he meant that as a family we should always be honest, do our best, and people will come to respect our family name. As I have read the guest book sign ins and all of the cards, I realize my dad made a great legacy for himself and for the Raddon name and I will always do my best to live up to the standards he set.

Our sick boy....

Cruz has been sick for so long now, I feel so bad for him. About a week and a half ago I woke up with a horrible ear ache and I noticed Cruz pulling on his ears all day. We went into a walk in clinic and they said we both had ear infections. We both got on some antibiotics, that was last Wednesday. Cruz continued to not feel great and on last Saturday he came down with a very high fever. We were able to control the fever with Motrin, but the fever continued. Last Monday I took Cruz into our pediatrician for his fever. The doctor said if it continued a few more days to bring him back in. On Wednesday morning the fever broke but then he broke out in a rash from head to toe, but the worst of the rash was on his trunk. My pediatrician wasn't in the office on Wednesday so I took him to a friend of ours that is a pediatrician. Because the fever broke and then Cruz developed a rash, she thought is was Roseola. She thought he should get feeling better by Wednesday evening. Wednesday he continued to whin, feel yucky, and be lethargic. Thursday was the same thing. On Friday he woke up with green snot coming out of his nose and eyes. I was becoming very alarmed. If it was Roseola he should have been getting better, but he wasn't and new symptoms were starting. I took him back to our pediatrician on Friday afternoon. There is this weird summer virus that is going around and that is what he thinks Cruz has. The virus is pretty strong and that is what caused his body to break out in a rash. Because it is a virus there really is no medication I can give to help him feel better. We set up our humidifier and that seems to be helping his breathing during his naps and at nighttime. I am posting a few pictures of what Cruz has been like the past few days. Poor little guy! He does seem to be acting better today, we just need the green stuff to clear up. Hopefully we are on the road to recovery.

New Cousin

Big Brothers Nicholas and Max with new baby brother Caden!

My sister in law, Shawn's sister, Leigh had a brand new baby boy today. They named him Caden Joseph Wilkens. Baby and mom are doing great! Congrats Wilkens! Another boy cousin to play with!

Roseola

Cruz has been battling a pretty high fever since Saturday and then today the fever broke but all of a sudden he broke out in a rash all over his stomach, back, neck, face, and ears. He kept whining and crying. I felt so bad for him. I called my pediatrician but he was out of the office today. Luckily we have a good friend that is a pediatrician. She was able to fit us in her schedule this afternoon. She believes Cruz has Roseola. The only problem is he should be feeling better by now but today he was probably the worst. Hopefully his body will feel better tomorrow.

We decided to go for a walk up at Snowbird after dinner tonight. It is hard because Cruz is so lethargic, and if anyone knows Cruz, that is not typical. He was pretty mellow on the walk and we saw some mommy deers with their babies.

random pictures from Shawns phone over the last 3 months

A walk in early May
Cruz driving the boat
Cruz driving HIS boat with HIS lifejacket
Cruz riding the tractor
Cruz at Cabela's
More Cruz at Cabela's
Cruz walkin' through puddles at Snowbird
A little trim
Sliding down a slide head first at the hair cut place
Daddy and Cruz on a hike, so fun!

Swan Valley without GH

Rich and Clara
Mom and Cruz

This weekend was bitter sweet. My brother Rich and his family (Katie, Nicholas (4), and Clara (2)) are in town to spend some time with my mom. We decided to all head up to Swan Valley. This was my dads haven. He loved it up on the Snake River. It is such beautiful country. I felt my dad close many times throughout the weekend. We knew it was going to be hard for my mom because our emotions are so raw right now, but hopefully in the future that place will bring her peace and comfort in the memory of my father. We took the boat out on the lake and had fun as a family surfing and wakeboarding. I am so grateful for our place in Swan Valley and it is all because of my parents hard work and diligence. Thank you!
Hanging on the boat
Cruz giving Casey "the dog" loves

Cruz and his cousins

Cruz has had the opportunity to spend some time with his cousins on the Raddon side. He loves being around other kids, he wants to be big and do every thing they do.

The presence of his absence is everywhere

I love you dad!

The last week has been a blur for me. My father started having a difficult time breathing on Sunday evening. Monday he continued to struggle and he basically went into a comatose state. I realized then that my dad physically would not be around with us long. Tuesday night, July 29th 2008 at 8:19 p.m. my father passed away. My mother, brother Russ, aunt, and I were by his side. The disease that took my father was a very cruel disease. I know that my dad is in a place were he can now be his old self. I miss him horribly though. I just want all of you know how great my father was and is. He is my hero in so many ways. Some of the words that I think of when I think of him are: Hard worker, lover of life, vivacious, entertainer, lived his beliefs, diligent, creative, passionate, stubborn, smart, warm personality, always makes people feel special, powerful spirit, competitive, talker, orator, professional, knew how to put his foot in his mouth-but of course could always talk his way out out of it, proud, athletic, non-judgmental, great father and this is just the start. I feel so lucky that he is my dad. I will miss you dad but I know you will be there to help me.
I love you dad!

Gerald (Gary) Hollis Raddon 1935 ~ 2008 Our wonderful husband, father, and friend, Gerald (Gary) Hollis Raddon, 72, passed away on July 29th, 2008.He was born October 26, 1935 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Hollis and Evelyn Raddon. Later, his family moved to Portland, Oregon where he attended high school. Gary attended Brigham Young University, where he was a member of the Vikings. He graduated with a degree in History and Political Science. While at BYU, he met his wife, Lynda Toliver, and they were married June 12, 1963 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. Gary earned his MBA from Brigham Young University in 1965. Following graduation, he and Lynda settled in Northbrook, Illinois. They resided there for over 35 years. After working in the banking industry, Gary formed his own company Raddon Financial Group (RFG), a strategic research and consulting firm, in 1982. In this role, he became a well-known industry expert and speaker. He served on the faculty of several state banking schools and authored a book, "Developing New Financial Products." Gary sold RFG in 2007. Gary was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His many callings were part of his lifelong service to others. He served a full-time mission in the Canada Quebec mission in the mid 1950s. Recently, he and Lynda served a mission at The Joseph Smith Memorial Building in Salt Lake City, Utah. Over the past seven years Gary and Lynda have resided in Sandy, Utah and Swan Valley, Idaho. In his retirement, this self-proclaimed all-around sportsman made the most of his time. It was not unusual for Gary to run five miles, play tennis, float the Snake river, hit golf balls, and fly fish in one day. Gary is survived by his beloved wife, Lynda; his children, Russell (Allison Hemming), Richard (Katie Bonnemort), Ryan aka Kaskade (Naomi Miranda), Kelly (Shawn) Frye, and Rebecca; his grandchildren Georgia, Macy, Grant and Walt Raddon (Colorado), Nicholas and Clara Raddon (Los Angeles), Mia and Sasha Raddon (San Francisco), and Cruz Frye (Salt Lake City). He is also survived by his brother, Stan Raddon (Carolee) and sister, Nina Goodwin. He is preceded in death by his parents, Hollis and Evelyn Raddon. Gary and his wonderful legacy remain alive in all who knew and loved him. A visitation will be held at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary: 3401 S. Highland Dr. SLC, Friday August 1, 7-9 p.m. A celebration of Gary's life will be held at the LDS Church building: 9880 S. 3100 E. Sandy, Saturday August 2, 11 a.m. Graveside service to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either: UCSF-MAC CJD Research Fund Attn: Natalie Kliper Box 1207 350 Parnassus Ave, Suite 905 San Francisco, CA 94143. (Make check payable to UC Regents. Please note on check 'in honor of Gary Raddon.') or Deseret International Foundation: deseret-internationl.org.