Playing Catch-up

I haven't blogged much about our activities since Shanghai. Because of my father's illness and passing away, I made a spur of the moment trip back to Utah for a few weeks. So it has ended up that I have had fewer adventures.

In early February Daniel's dad was here for business and we went flying kites on afternoon. They sell little kites here that are on a string of 30. We got one whole string out. We also got a couple of our bigger kites all the way out and flying quite high. It was a fun day.

 As we were getting the kites out these girls wanted to help us and they also wanted out picture.

 Brent was also making friends.

Daniel with his big eagle kite all the way out. 

This was the strand of 30 panda kites. The little girls were laughing at us because panda's don't fly.

It was fun. We hope to go this weekend to fly kites with some of the office staff.

More coming. Check back soon.

Ashley's Father's Obiturary

This is Daniel posting. In case you were not aware Ashley's father has been sick for the last six months. He passed away earlier this week. Below is his obituary.

Andrew Joseph Arave, loving husband, father, and son, peacefully passed away surrounded by his family on March 8, 2012. Joe was born to Calvin and Janis Arave on April 18, 1957 in Richmond, Virginia.

            Joe was raised in Charlottesville, Virginia. He served an LDS mission in the Arizona Tempe Mission.  After his mission he moved to Utah where he met and married his sweetheart, Holly Kay Budge, in the Salt Lake Temple on June 15, 1982. They were  blessed with four children, Ashley, Taylor, Cameron, and Caitlin, who were the joy of his life. He was always a devoted husband and father, making time to have special experiences with his family.

            Joe received a Bachelor’s Degree from Weber State, a Master’s Degree from BYU, and a Doctorate Degree from the University of Utah, where he continued as a professor.

            Joe had a deep appreciation for the outdoors and God’s creations. He was able to share this love through his teaching as a professor in the Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Department.

            Joe enjoyed spending time outdoors hunting, backpacking, and fishing. He also had a passion for gardening, which he enjoyed in his spare time.

            He was a faithful spiritual giant, always doing as the Lord would have him do, serving in many callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His life was one of gratitude, dedication, and kindness. His example will carry on for his family, friends, and acquaintances.

            Joe is survived by his wife, Holly; daughter Ashley (Daniel) Allen, China; sons, Taylor and Cameron; and daughter Caitlin; his mother, Janis Arave, Virginia; and siblings Georganne (Andy), Virginia; Kevin (Nikki), Virginia; and Jennifer (Patrick), Minnesota. He is also survived by his in-laws, Arthur and Marian Budge; sisters-in-law, Jennie (Von) Garner, Kaysville; Sally (Matt) Bitner, Deweyville; Patti (Dan) Burr, Tetonia, ID; and brother-in-law Jim (Jeanie) Budge, Layton.

            Joe was preceded in death by his father, Calvin Roy Arave, and sister Beckee Conger.

                        In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions to the A. Joseph and Holly Arave Scholarship fund at the University of Utah, Dept of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, c/o Marsha Lundgren,  250 S 1850 E, Room 200, SLC, UT  84112.