Cottrell Family: 2014

Idaho Fun!The positives far out way the minus of driving the long distance from Illinois to Idaho to be with family! While we were there we were able to spend time with family, friends and visit a few favorite places.

June 2014

The Thompson Cabin in Island Park!

Boy cousins!

Fishing, foil dinners by camp fire, movie madness, walks in the meadow, off roading rides, and fun card games are staples here!

Its always beautiful here no matter the season and he enjoyed walks with Grandma Mindy. I even tapped into my fisherman's patience and snagged a beauty of a rainbow trout!

Hayden loved this carved piece of wood that he created! It was a log that was easily falling apart and he chipped away at it till he was happy with his master piece! We took a picture for safe keeping since I told him that it wouldn't last in the car on our long drive home. He wasn't too happy he couldn't keep it and reluctantly posed for the camera but was happy he did because later that day he master piece broke.

Speaking of things broken....Here is Hayden when he decided to challenge a mountain with a bicycle. Front two adult teeth busted. He hit a rock with his bike wheel and was thrown forward into another rock hitting it face first. I am shocked he doesn't have a black eye or something. He was really upset. He said everyone at school was going to call him toothless and he never be the same. He was talking like this for a while and I finally found out that he thought nothing could be done for his teeth, since we have told him to take care of his adult teeth because they were the only set he will get! Because he knew these were his adult teeth he was thinking he would always go around with his front teeth broken!! I told him we were going to go to the dentist and they can fix his teeth to be back the way they were, but yes he would not have that part of your front teeth anymore as real permanent teeth, but the dentist can build his tooth up with strong fake material and no one would know the difference.

I guess for Hayden at this time you could say..

"You haven't played hard enough...or had any fun, until someone knocks out their front teeth!"

See isn't that better!!

In Loving Memory of

Winona Avilda Searle Thompson

September 9, 1924 - May 27, 2014

In May my Grandma Thompson passed away. She was an extraordinary woman and everyone who knew her loved and admired her for her strength, love, compassion and testimony. She was staying in an assisted living facility where she had her own apartment that had a good sized bedroom, bathroom, living area and small kitchen. She had a family member visit her each and everyday, often taking her out to dinner or lunch, or just have an outing for the day. Her thoughts were often on her late husband and children and would frequently get confused thinking she needed to get home to get dinner on the table for her husband and hard working children who worked on the family farm. She was a busy body when she felt like she should be working on something she always was determined to get things done. On a confused day, she was able to pack a small bag and exit the facility. That day it was overly busy due to the fact that there had been a death in the memory care unit and many family members of the deceased were coming in and out of the locked areas. Somehow she got out of multiple locked areas and left the grounds of the assisted living facility and was found face down in a ditch that she must have fallen down into several blocks away. She also had burns on the backs of her legs and it is thought that she sat against either a hot car or on the pavement while she was figuring out where to go. My uncle found her and they rushed her to the near by hospital. Her face had been smashed it and breathing was difficult. A few days after being in the hospital Grandma passed away. Grandma was healthy and well with the exception of loss of memory at times. It came as a shock the events that lead to her passing. My father and his siblings had multiple meetings with the assisted living facility and made sure that this was not going to happen to any other residents.

My dad called me at 10:00pm Wednesday night telling me the funeral would be on Saturday. It takes a good 2 day drive to get from where I live in Illinois to Blackfoot, Idaho where all my extended family lives. My boys still had a few days left of school before their last day and none of us were packed or ready in any way to go on a trip. I kept going back and forth on what to do and then I just decided that this was something that I would really regret if I missed. So at 11:00pm while my boys were all sleeping I packed 4 suitcases, one for each of them and then one for myself. Grabbed the pack-n-play for at the hotel stay for Roman and gathered snacks/treats/drinks for the ride there. The boys were surprised we were leaving once they woke up in the morning and were a bit sad that they wouldn't get to spend their last days at school with their friends, but that quickly was forgotten once they focused on seeing cousins and their Grandpa Ron and Grandma Mindy. We stopped by their school first thing and emptied their desks, signed any finalizing paperwork, and handed back textbooks and took home any extra supplies they had left over from the year. A swing by McDonalds for breakfast and we were off to tackle the 1,400 + miles --23 hour drive to Idaho to be there in time for the funeral. I really wish Nathan could have gone with us, but being last minute he couldn't get work off, but he was a big support to me making sure I had everything I might need and to take the time out there that I needed. Not the best circumstances to go and see my family, but grateful for a supportive husband that helps make trips like this possible in the first place for me. Her funeral was wonderful and it was great to see so many of my aunts, uncles, cousins, and immediate family. My grandma loved a big party--a crowd full and did she every get it! So many people came and supported our family.

Winona Avilda Searle Thompson

September 9, 1924 - May 27, 2014

Life Sketch

2 older brothers, 3 younger brothers

went to seminar-was seminar president

meet Garth as a junior-dated 5 years

attended Business college very good with numbers...WWII began 1942

1944 Garth was drafted/was given 5 day leave/came home and married Winona in the

Salt Lake City Temple. Garth served 2 years in the war and came home to a wife and son.

Winona was the mother of 9 children. 7 boys and 2 girls

She was an extremely hard worker and served those around her throughout her life.

She loved having a big family and adding to it as grandkids and great-grandkids came along.

She found time for vacations--We had a big family trips that involved all her children and their families: California, Kansas, Disneyworld the Thompson Cabin etc.

Winona was very active and on the go.

She could make simple things exciting and an adventure, even at the grocery store.

Strong-direct-compassionate

Things she lived by:

"When someone asks you to do something,-say 'I'd be happy to do it'" (quote from her own father)

Endure, keep going through hard times & keep your testimony

Put God first. Visiting Teaching was very important to her - Always paid tithing.

SERVICE AT ALL TIMES

do complain-but laugh instead of cry

Work hard=approach life with optimism.

"You know better" is all she have to say to give direction to her kids at times

Couldn't watch others work. Would find her working in the fields in a church dress after meeting

"If your not early....You're late!"

Firecracker!

Loved to party. Loved a crowd. Was an excellent Hostess, made reasons to have a party where she did most of the work but loved it. At 79 yrs old she went tubing on the lake and had a blast!

-Always lasts to sit down

Made family traditions of firework get togethers, magical Christmas's with Santa visits, talent shows

Made each grandkid feel special on birthdays, Christmas with hand picked gifts thought out for each child, attended concerts, games, baptisms, blessing, weddings, etc.

Made blankets for babies and graduation grandkids.

Selfless

Always last to sit down. Thought of herself last. Gave of her time and money to others in need. Always willing to babysit. Has 37 Grandkids and 80 Great Grandkids and did special things with each one. Made elaborate meals, serving her family and was the last to eat because she was just making sure everyone else had what they needed.

Said she just wanted her children to walk in TRUTH.

Family is most important

Value in Hard word- Do your duty-Thank you notes were not optional.

Enjoy Life

Great cook! Made homemade jams- caramels -cookies

Sewed doll clothes for granddaughters toy dolls.

Enjoyed little things like a bit of perfume

Said that flowers can "Cheer ya right up"

When she had medical tests or shots to take she hardly complained, instead said things like:

"That wasn't too bad now was sit".... or "Don't feel too chirpy, but it will pass"

On bad weather or trails... "We'll take it, we have to"