Funeral Service for Grandpa Iverson

We made a trip to Utah this past weekend to attend the funeral for Wade's Grandpa Iverson. He died on February 22, 2009 a couple of days after we all found out he had cancer. So it was the most sudden death and Wade and I were so shocked and sad at the sudden news. I have not had a grandpa living for the last 8 years or so, so both of Wade's grandpa's I feel are really like my own. I REALLY loved Grandpa Iverson and he made me feel important. He also really loved Brooklyn. He called her Harvard and said it in this British accent. We told him at one point that our pediatrician said we needed to start saving for Harvard because he was blown away by how advanced she was and how smart she was. From then on he called her Harvard. He was very close to Wade growing up. Most of the memories from his childhood that I have heard about include times up at their grandpa's cabin, fishing, hunting, four wheeling, snow mobiling, you name it they did it with their grandpa. Grandpa Iverson was a very important and consistent figure in Wade's childhood. He was probably the funniest grandpa I have ever met. The night we found out he died, we spent the night in bed retelling stories of him. We could still go on and on about him. We both really loved him and are really sorry we didn't get to see him before he died. We were planning on seeing him in March after Winter's Utah reception. He went so soon, that we didn't even get to say goodbye, which was super hard for Wade. Wade has been super emotional this past week and still can't believe that his "bigger than Life" grandpa is gone. We both know that he is with our Father in Heaven and both know for sure that we will see him again. THANKFULLY, we know that and truly believe that!

The funeral service was amazing. Wade actually got to speak on behalf of all the grand kids. He did an exceptional job. I found myself engaged at learning new things about the family, but also at the same time, I felt like I really new his grandpa. I loved him as my own grandpa.

The weekend went great. It was the first time all 5 Iverson kids were there together with their babies. There are 5 total grand kids, our baby boy will make 6...under 2! It was so fun to be with everyone and celebrate Grandpa's life.

Here are the pictures.

Wade was a pall bearer.
Jake new exactly what to do too. It was special that he joined in as a pall bearer.

From left to right: Wade, John(Wendy's husband), Chris(JaNae's husband), Auggie (Jentry's husband) and Jake. So Wade and all my brother in laws. They are all so great!

Here is the entire Iverson clan together at the luncheon after the services. I think we make a smokin' hott family!

JaNae and Hayden, Jentry and Paiton, Wendy and Rydor. All three are only one or two months apart. How fun to have all of your sisters pregnant at the same time!

Wade and his dad. Dave got to speak at the funeral on behalf of Grandpa's kids and he did an amazing job too! It was such an amazing funeral. It may have been one of the best services I have ever been too.

3 of the cutest babies I know! Rydor, Hayden and Paiton.

Another shot at a family picture. Guess this shirt was not the best shirt I could have chosen to take a family picture in. It made me look huge! Or maybe it was the short back couch. Anyways, I look huge EVERYWHERE!

Here is Brooklyn on Sunday when we visited the grave site after it was all done. She loved picking the flowers on Grandpa's spot.

Then she found this pin wheel on someone else's grave. She probably shouldn't have played with it, but it was cute.

The weekend was short, but so great! I love the Iverson family. I am sad that Grandpa Iverson is gone. It will be hard to go visit Grandma Iverson and not have him there making us laugh and being able to teach Wade every thing he knows. We love Grandma Iverson and glad she is such a strong woman who always makes us feel loved and taken care of.

I will post more pictures later of some of the fun we had while we enjoyed our family.