News of Auburnights

Well as you must of heard by now, the big news from our family, Sara is getting married to Gary Gray. They will be sealed together on Friday June 12th in the Oakland Temple. On Saturday June 13th there will be a family breakfast for both families, later that evening a reception will be held at the Abel's property. On June 27th a open house will be held in Pleasant Grove, Utah (were Gary & his family live) we are very excited for them.
Sara & Gary had come to Auburn for thanksgiving back in Nov. (at the time I thought it was just another boy in tow) So that weekend I did not spend much time with Gary, we (Placer High) were involved in football playoffs, so I was busy coaching and preparing for the upcoming game. We later learned things were getting serious. So Colleen and I went to Utah to spend some time with Gary and meet his family, We were very impressed with both. Gary and I sat down for a chat. I called it a chat, Gary thought it was an interview, Sara calls it the Inquisition. How ever you want to call it, Gary answered all the questions correctly, and he asked and received permission to take our beloved daughter to the House of the Lord and be sealed for Time and all Eternity. I hope all of our family can gather in Zion (Auburn for those of you who did not know were Zion is) in June to celebrate this event.
Colleen and Ron are experiencing the empty nest syndrome for the first time. We miss our children so very much. Colleen is still working in the mortgage business and is serving in the relief society presidency with her friend Bonnie Abel. Ron still does his property management and coaches at the high school. Ron was released from the Bishopric and was called to be the High Priest Group Leader.
Brandon is living large in San Louis O. Doing the school thing, Throwing on the Track team and finding new adventures, check out his facebook and his sand surfing. We are very proud of his progress and the great man he is turning into. I (DAD) just wish I could hear from him more I miss hanging out with him.

All is well here in Auburn, we hope to see you all in June

News from JJ and Family

Dear Family,

Our Family is still living in Antelope. We are in the Antelope 4th Ward in the Antelope Stake. Sarah has been called to be the secretary in Young Women's and JJ is a teacher in the Elders Quorum. Jake is now in CTR6, Eden is a Sunbeam and Noah is in the nursery. Jake loves his class, Eden wants to go back to nursery and Noah screams until we get out of sight, then he has a great time. Jake also enjoys kindergarten but is not very fond of the homework.

Our biggest news to share is that we are expecting a baby boy! We were convinced, with the help of Eden who desperately wants a sister, that we were expecting a girl, so imagine our shock, and Eden's dismay and denial, when we were told it is a boy. Jake and Noah feel triumphant now that it is confirmed another brother is on the way. Now we just have to agree on a name.

JJ has traveled much less over the last six months than he has previously. It has been nice to have him home more. However, now that we are used to having him around again, his travel itinerary is revving up again, and we don't expect to see much of him over the next couple of months. He is required to be home and accessible come the end of August/ beginning of September when the baby is due!

Even though we celebrate two birthdays in October, Halloween was definitely the highlight of the month. We had a firefighter, a princess and a lion. While Sarah went out with the kids and a friend and their kids, JJ helped pack up a moving truck for the same friends. It was a busy and fun night. We were also able to take the kids to the Halloween party for Grandma's ward and see friends we rarely see.

We, minus the kids, enjoyed a fun trip to Hawaii just before Thanksgiving thanks to JJ's heavy travel schedule and the accumulation of hotel points. We visited Oahu and Maui, and even with the occasional rain, enjoyed 70+ degree weather in November! We saw Pearl Harbor and the Polynesian Cultural Center. The best part was relaxing at the beach. It was fantastic!

Sarah's parents were nice enough to stay with the kids while we were in Hawaii. We were able to have Thanksgiving with them and Sarah's brother Dave and his family who came down from Washington to celebrate with us. Christmas was fun for the whole family, the kids love everything about Christmas. It was a little odd because it was just us and we usually have Sarah's brother James with us. Speaking of James, he got married a month ago. Sarah was able to go all alone to Southern California to be a part of the wedding. (I'd almost call it a vacation except for the fact that we had to cater the whole reception and make the flower arrangements and.... it was a BUSY vacation!)

We have enjoyed seeing family as they have come to visit with Grandma. Keep coming! We hope you have enjoyed the start of Conference weekend and acknowledge the blessing of the Gospel and family in your lives. We are blessed to be part of this family and are grateful for each of you. We love you!

JJ, Sarah, Jake, Eden, Noah and Baby Boy Roskelley

Uncle Jerry's Funeral

The Roseville Fire Department honored Uncle Jerry with a beautiful American flag - similar to the way the Navy did for Dad last year. The mournful Taps was played by a fireman across the parking lot.

The Roseville Police and Fire Departments escorted the family (and it was a big line of cars - because we have a BIG family) to the cemetery. There was a fire truck with the lights on at the front and the back of the line of cars and the police stopped all traffic while we traveled - so happy that the cemetery was not that far from the church.

Dad's gravestone has finally been placed on his grave. It looks like the family gathering on Memorial Day will begin here starting this May. Can you just imagine how Dad and Uncle Jerry will enjoy seeing everyone gather here?

IN MEMORY.....

I was on my way to the grocery store Saturday night, Yeah it was Saturday night and you can see most of our ward at BelAir, as I was driving past the the fire station I noticed the flag at half mast. I thought hmmmm I didn't hear that any one important in town had died??? Then I looked down, and saw this sign, it really hit me! WOW the whole town is mourning with us. OK, I have to admit, I was told the flag would be at half mast, but I had forgotten!

I thought it was just our Fire Station because Uncle Jerry had retired from that Station, but Aunt Faye said it was all the Fire Stations in the city of Roseville. There are a LOT of Fire Stations in Roseville. We drove to 3 of them just to make sure and they were all lowered.

Everywhere I go, everyone knows he is gone. Uncle Jerry had worked in the Stake for so many years, the Stake Presidency called all the wards to let them know.

I got out at the Fire Station and took the video, I am sure the firemen were thinking I was a bit crazy.

Jeff and I went to see Uncle Jerry last week, he was able to talk to us and we were able to let him know we loved him. We went back a couple of days later and he was unconscious. He was never awake again from that day froward. I am glad we listened to that small voice that sent us over to visit last week. Mom and I took soup and cookies over, we remember how nice it was to have food on hand that could be warmed up, or a cookie to hand to a child.

We went with Mom to her Ward today and saw all the cousins except David and his Amy (I heard David had a wardrobe malfunction) It is sad but fun to see them all!

The Funeral is Wednesday at 10:00 am, I so wish everyone in my family could be there. It is hard to lose the last of our Uncles!!

Marriage Retreat SNOW!!!

Linda, Grant, Jeff and I went to a Marriage Retreat up at Aspen Grove. For those of you who are like me and are going, "where is that??" it is above Sundance Ski Resort. In fact, as you are driving up to Aspen Grove, you can see the skiers going down the mountain. We Californians loved the big puffy snow while we sat snug in big cushy chairs in the lodge, laughing at Brad Wilcox the speaker for the event. When you see one of us, ask us about the "step away from the car" joke. We laughed until we were hurting.

This was taken just outside our rooms in the lodge. I wanted to get the snow on the trees, and the snow in the air, it just looks white in the picture, it was big puffy flakes coming down.

Linda and I got adventurous and went snow shoeing the second day. Now that was an event!! Staying up right was a full time job for us both. The guys took a nap while we were out being crazy.

If you look closely you can see how wet Linda's knees are and what you can't see is my numb bum. Linda fell face first into the snow, I went straight back, Oh well we had fun!!

Can you tell who is from Utah and who is from California?? Jeff and I dressed in so many layers!! Linda and Grant kept saying "oh, this is much warmer than it has been!"

It was so beautiful, and a fun relaxing weekend!!

JJ "IS" the Christmas present

Mom had JJ's name for Christmas, she knew just what she wanted to get him, but it required a truck so she asked Ron to help get it to Christmas Eve. Ron assured her he would have it there and not to worry about the wrapping. When it came time to open the family presents Ron told JJ come into the family room while Brandon brings in the present. We were a little concerned when brandon brought in a VERY large unwrapped box. In a few minutes we understood. Ron didn't wrap the box he wrapped JJ.

Surprise its a book shelf!! Leave it to Ron to think outside of the "box"

SISTER's

Here is my apron!! I love it!! SISTER's gotta love 'em!!