Farewell to the Big I.

97 years young. Florence Irene Shelley.  In August, they made the decision to move grandma to an assisted living facility. We got to see her behind the glass for her 97th birthday in December. We all knew COVID, for some odd reason, was running rampant through the elderly/assisted living facilities. When we heard she was sick, we didn't immediately think COVID. Afterall, she was initially tested negative and Mary Ann basically said her body was just "shutting down". I mean, she is 97. Aunt Janet flew in from Alabama to quarantine with her and to take care of her. She was moved to the COVID unit and slipped further and further away until on Devember 10, 2020 she left this mortal life to be with Grandpa Bill.

I guess, it doesn't feel quite real. We haven't been having parties, we haven't been able to see her so the hole she left hasn't been 100% felt. I do know that I miss her already. I will miss her hugs and her birthday cards. I will miss her laugh and her singing. At the end of it all, I KNOW she is happy. I KNOW she was ready to go and I KNOW I will see her again. Can't wait for that day. 

The infamous tree skirt, mechanical hat, Ellison family Christmas party incident. 

Me and Grandma at Hale Theater

baby Mc and Great Grandma Irene

Let's discuss Grandma's funeral. I am SO grateful that despite COVID, we were able to all attend the funeral. We got to see the Sampsons (who flew in from VA) and cousins we wouldn't have seen otherwise. I joked this was how grandma still got us together for Christmas during a pandemic. All of her children spoke and did an amazing job. They talked about her legacy, "canning water" (because it's better than storing the jars empty), playing Claire De Lune every night at their bedtime, her testimony, and how proud she would be of all of us. Her flowers and pink casket were absolutely perfect- if I wasn't being cremated, sign me up for a pink casket. 

"Not a dud in the bunch"

After a spirited 97 years, Florence Irene Shelley Ellison returned home on December 10, 2020. Irene was born on September 19, 1923 in American Fork, Utah to Edwin Ray and Nina Mae Jones Shelley. Five years later, she delightedly welcomed her younger brother, Merlin “Duff” Shelley. They were always close friends and made many great memories throughout their lives.

Irene often shared fond childhood memories of making taffy, wading in the ditch, learning to tap dance on a picnic table, sliding on the irrigation-slicked lawn, and being the champion roller skater.  Later she developed her love of and amazing “ear” for music. At the age of seven, she took piano lessons for about a year and stated, “It came fairly easy to me.” By 6th grade, she was accomplished enough to accompany others without practice.

Irene’s love of all things musical continued into her years at American Fork High School, where she enjoyed theater, played the French horn, and accompanied choral music groups. One of her favorite musical memories was accompanying Jessie Evans Smith, wife of the prophet Joseph Fielding Smith. She also loved reminiscing about her days as accompanist for her father’s musical duo, “Tab and Bun.” Her music continued to bless the lives of others, and well into her 95th year, she was still playing the organ in the Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple.

In the 6th grade, she met the love of her life, William Ray Ellison. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on February 25, 1946, after Bill returned from serving in WWII. Their devoted courtship continued throughout their 60 years of marriage.

Irene maintained a faithful testimony of Jesus Christ and enthusiastically served Him in many ways. She was a passionate family historian. Her tenacity and ability to research in detail blessed others and her family in countless ways. After retirement, she and Bill served as ordinance workers in the Mount Timpanogos Temple. They also served together in the Auckland New Zealand and Provo Utah missions. She also loved her ward family and truly enjoyed the many wonderful friendships made there.

Irene and Bill were dedicated parents, grandparents, and great grandparents, showing their support at innumerable ballgames, plays, musical recitals, and special events. Irene was the life of the many family parties she hosted and loved to maintain traditions at the holidays with her family. She made certain to remember every family birthday and never missed sending Christmas gifts to each and every one of her 145 descendents.

Irene is survived by her brother: Merlin Ray (Duff) Shelley, children: Mary Ann Williamson, William Richard Ellison (Kristine), Ray Shelley Ellison (Janet), Sharlene Ricks, James Blaine Ellison (Beverly), Janet Lewis (Robert), 26 grandchildren, 76 great grandchildren, and 4 great, great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Ray Ellison, son-in-law, George I. Ricks, and great granddaughter, Elizabeth Gammon.

A viewing for friends, neighbors, and extended family will be held at the Anderson and Sons Mortuary, 49 E 100 N, American Fork, Utah on Tuesday, December 15 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. To accommodate COVID restrictions please see the SignUp Genius link below to schedule a time to attend.

Funeral services for Irene will be held on Wednesday, December 16, 2020, with a family viewing and prayer from 9:45 - 10:45 am and funeral at 11:00 am in the American Fork 23rd Ward Chapel, located at 680 N 350 W, American Fork, Utah. Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, the viewing and service at the church will be for family only.  

 

A little metal to add to the sparkle.

The day had come for our first round of orthodontia. $3600 later and Mc now has her top braces. They seem a lot nicer than when I had braces (for five years).  Mc had drawn a picture the night before of what she would look like with her braces (complete with hair). Pretty accurate. She goes in for her 2nd round (bottom) in February and then she will have them for 22 months. Still adorable, just so grown up. 

 

Cossebooms & Luminaria

We were THRILLED to have Heidi and Bruce Cosseboom in town the first weekend in December! The weather was "warm" for December and we were excited that we actually had a place they could stay, since the basement was done. They were in town for a wedding but spent most of the weekend with us. We took them to Gourmandise, stayed up late talking and it was like no time had passed. It was nice to talk with them about COVID and have our opinions be the same- Bruce and Heidi both work in the school system in AZ so they have a front row seat to the crazy. Bless them. 

 We all bundled up and took them to Luminaria on Saturday. It was a tradition that wasn't completely ruined by COVID, albeit masks still annoying, it was like it always was. We came home and watched National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and just laughed and laughed. I vote this is a yearly visit. 

Me and Heidi

Thomases, Cossebooms, Lawrences and us

Luminaria Willies

 

Giving Thanks, COVID style.

Sub for Santa year 11

 The Governor suggested that we don't meet with more than 10 people that we didn't live with. How did we pick who was going to come to Thanksgiving and who wasn't? We all met at Mom's, the Thomases in their masks, and had a lovely linner. Mom had a great spread and it was beautifully decorated. It was kind of nice not having to run to American Fork and G & Chris gave us a "make your own Thanksgiving dinner" package so we literally went to Mom's and got to chill the rest of the day. THAT was something I didn't mind. 

We gathered our Sub for Santa gifts again this year- there were less kids this year because Lindsay said, because of COVID, they had to limit how many they could accept because they could only have 3 people in the building to prep at a time. We had two kids this year- a girl Mc's age and a boy K's age. This is a tradition I love and I am grateful that we get to do it every year. 

The Karens Take Cali 2020

We ALL needed a break. Holly Jackman had Marriott points, we booked a hotel, flights and ventured to Cali for the weekend. It seemed a little weird to be going to California since the Governor there has locked down pretty much everything but, overall, it was AWESOME. We could sit in the hot tub but not by the firepit. We could sleep in the same beds but we couldn't have a roll away bed. We couldn't eat IN restaurants but could order food and walk 20 feet away to an outside table. We had to wear masks all over, but not at the beach. The weather wasn't super warm but the company was great and I am SO grateful to call these women my friends.

We spent the afternoon at the beach- it was chilly! Suzi, Kristie, Holly and I walked for quite a few miles and almost got sucked out into the tide at one point. As we walked the pier, a fisherman saw us coming and was like, "I saw you guys get all wet. You run pretty fast!" and laughed. It was pretty funny. 

Suzi was our driver- a 12 passenger van. I was the co-pilot. 

All of us on the ferry to Balboa Island. We ate way too many Cronuts, laughed, chatted about COVID, our kids and callings. (Holly Jackman, Missy Muramoto, Lacie Trout, Krystal Bryant, Kristie Lucking, Ashley DaBell, Suzi McAffee).

Downtown Disney was open so we decided to make the morning of it. We had to use a Fastpass system to even get in to the stores to shop, all the Cast Members were super snippy about making sure we were ALL wearing our masks appropriately. We had some lunch at LaBrea Bakery, and some delicious hot chocolate. The gates were closed and it was REALLY sad to see Disney so empty. The skies opened up right as we walked to the car and it started to pour. 

 It was tough to come back home after a weekend of desserts, good conversation and just enjoying a little bit of "normal" during this crazy year. Glad for great friends and women who bring joy to my life. 

I want C A N D Y

Halloween started off with Mc coming with me to High Fitness. It was a hard class and she even did a few burpees! 

 I am pretty sure Mc and her friends decided like, last year, to go as the Sanderson Sisters. Mc as Sarah, Azia Hessing as Mary and Kate McAffee as Winifred. They were the PERFECT trio. I am pretty sure this costume was made for Mc. We found a makeup tutorial online and Sarah Sanderson came to life. She went trick or treating until 9 PM with friends (not sure how many years we have left of that) and came home loaded with candy and exhausted. 

Kingston have moved onto all things scary for his costume. We found this creepy morph suit at Wal-Mart and he knew he had to have it. The only downside, once the face was zipped up, he couldn't see really well (ha). It was a smart costume choice because he didn't have to wear a coat and no one knew who he was. 

The Rake

Enzo THINKS he likes things to be scary- until that is, you try to make him go in the Halloween store. We had yet another year where we have ONE kid who won't go in. He had wanted to be a skeleton for a long time so when Target had some pajamas and gloves (costume and sleepwear- two for one) it was meant to be. He was wary about painting his face and spraying his hair but was happy with the end result. 

I opted for Beetlejuice this year- hair ratted to the hilt, a pound of make up on my face and an e-bay men's costume for the win! Mark wore my Texas Roadhouse winnings (hat with attached braids) and went as Willie Nelson. The weather was not too chilly and for it being a "COVID year" there were still lots of trick or treaters. A lot of people made PVC pipe tubes that went from their door to the steps so there was "contact-less" candy delivery. I just handed out candy like a normal person, a normal person dressed as Beetlejuice. 

Hallo-Willies 2020

****12****

Miss Mckinley Reese. Our big 6th grader. 12 years old. You seem SO big and like everyone says, this happened too fast. We are SO glad that we got to spend a week on vacation with you at the beginning of the year before the world shutdown because of COVID. Mickey Do, you are funny, smart, a good friend, keenly aware of others, fashionable (even in your high waisted, holey mom jeans) and such a good artist. You will draw on any paper available, LOVE spending time with friends and worked hard to earn the money to buy your own GABB phone (smartphone with no internet). 

You make us proud to be your parents and lucky to get to watch you learn and grow through this life. We are blessed to have your spirit, your testimony and your crazy in our home. WE LOVE YOU. 

No floors- birthday table. 

Mc & Penny Lane the hairless kitten

You chose Gourmandise for your birthday dinner- finished off with a cheesecake all for yourself. 

Just before the world shut down again we got to have a private viewing party of "Hocus Pocus" at the movie theater.