Sister Trip Home

 All of us need a place to rest.  

A place of peace that is able to quiet the noice.  Where we feel at home.

Haystack Rock @ Cannon Beach, Oregon

Last October my dad suddenly passed away from a massive heart attack.  My sister and I, as well as our families were left in shock.

The planned phone calls, last minute visits, the sharing of new adventures, the hellos and good byes didn't have a chance to happen.

2013

Next month we will cross over the one year mark of that awful day.

In the last 11 months my sister and I have closed accounts, alerted all the necessary organizations, gone through more pictures than I can count and with the help of his Grands gone through his clothes.  Many of us wear them proudly.

The only thing we had not done was take him home.

Leslie and I met at the Portland airport for what would be a trip to take our dad home, but one that proved to be full of laughter, tears, stories and sister time.

Famous PDX carpet

Many people know that Cannon Beach, Oregon is my place of rest.  Its where I feel at home, calm and void of all the noise.  This love started when I was 11 and we discovered this beautiful little beach after moving from California.  My parents and sisters loved this beach as well.

So many of my favorite memories are family day trips to the beach.

As Leslie and I pondered where to scatter Dad's ashes we knew he would want to go home.  He would want to be in Oregon, more specifically at the beach.  He loved the water.  I can't remember a time when he didn't totally relax as he walked through the freezing water and listened to the waves crash.  He really was at peace in nature.  

Our first sister trip took us home to Oregon, Cannon Beach.

We spent two delightful days and three nights eating all of our favorite food, shopping at our favorite boutiques, walking the beach and feeling the closeness of our parents and sister Kristen.

Cannon Beach exceeded our every hearts desire.  Clouds parted each night for bright sunsets.  The bear claws and poppy seed muffins tasted better than ever and the pizza was so good we had it for lunch for three days.  

Matching sweaters

We did take time to enjoy all the little things that we have always loved about the Oregon Coast.  The coast can grow the most beautiful hydrangeas and fuchsias.   One time I even took a cutting, took it home fed it and it sprouted roots.  I eventually planted it in the yard.

                                                   

                                                   

Long walks to Haystack Rock gave us lots of time to talk, jump over the jelly fish and freeze our toes in the water.  Although the water wasn't ultra freezing like normal.

For years I had heard about the Cannon Beach elk but seemed to miss their sitings.  This trip we saw them each morning as they nibbled on the grasses, crossed the river and relaxed in the dunes.  They are impressive.   

Both of our parents were very talented.  My mom could sew just about anything, her crafts were adorable and she could cook like no one I know.  Dad's talents were a bit different.  He could grow just about any tree or plant, manicure a yard that would put Disney to shame and was a great story reader.

One of the arts he wanted to try was watercolor painting.  Leslie and I have picked up this new art in the last year.  So, we tried out our skills along the beach.  

At one time in my Dad's life he wanted to be a park ranger.  My Grandma pushed him in a different direction and eventually he went into marketing.  Wildlife, the forest and the beach never left his system. I think this explains why he loved camping and going to the beach so much.

No matter the age of a child, I believe they always need their parents.  We said good bye to our Mom in 2014 and now it was time to say good bye to our Dad  and let him go.

Dad, look at that smile

                                                 

This wasn't easy.  

Watching the wind blow the tall grasses on the dunes reminded me of him.  Listening to the waves crash reminded me of our walks along the waters edge.  I was surrounded by my Dad everywhere I looked.  

For the first time the tears began to flow.  My heart was full and I was missing my Dad all the way to my toes.  

Just then my sweetheart called to check in.  He didn't know that we had decided to scatter my Dad's ashes or that I was feeling very sad as I said good bye.  I could feel his love as if he were standing next to me.

On our final morning we drew in the sand as we always did, left our footprints next to our drawing and then kissed our parents good bye.  My parents weren't perfect and we were not a perfect family, but in this moment I felt joined with them in love.  

Our sister trip didn't end there, we headed into town to where we grew up. 

We drove by our childhood home, it looks so different.  Saw our elementary school and where we use to walk to school.  As luck we have it we saw a man who resembled a young boy from our childhood ward that was developmentally delayed walking in our old neighborhood.

We made one more emotional stop before returning to our shopping, eating and ice cream frenzy.

In 2001 my youngest sister Kristen passed away.  When my mom passed we buried her to the right of Shorty.  Both Leslie and I wanted to take flowers, straighten up the dirt and bark at the feet of their site and enjoy the West Hills view just as my Dad use to do.

Just as the day we buried mom, it was cold, cloudy and windy, thankfully it wasn't snowing.  As we were about to leave the clouds parted and the sun shown through right at Kristen's name plate.  We knew we did good.  

Mom, Dad and Kristen are together in heaven.

My sister Leslie, is the PaRtY!  Seriously.  No matter the occasion she brings the fun.  So, we waved good bye, left the cemetery and continued our shopping.  We found a few fun things to take home to the fam, enjoyed a delicious Mexican dinner and more ice cream.  

Salt 'n Straw you have me craving more ice cream.

On our last day all we wanted to do was spend the last bit of time together.  We found ourselves buying a special gift from our parents.  We didn't anticipate this memorable experience or that we would find the most perfect piece of jewelry, but it is where we ended up.  Our pieces are beautiful, yet different.  The best part is we did it together in Oregon.

Before dinner we enjoyed the Sunday views of the Portland Temple.  The flowers were as beautiful as they were the day I was sealed to Sean.  Because it was Sunday we had the place to ourselves.  Again, we felt our parents, sister and the blessing of eternal families.

Can't believe I took this

Losing my Dad was shocking.  Settling his affairs was a long, tiresome, often sad process.  Because of all that has happened in the last 11 months Leslie and I were able to travel home.  I couldn't be more grateful for the time we had together.

Love you whole bunches Flee

Goosebumps

 I have not posted on my blog in quite some time.  Life has really been on the fast track.

Let get you caught up on our "Goosebump Moments".  Those moments that cause the hair to stand on end in a good way.  

Our first Goosebump Moment was walking into the Grand California Resort with Sean.  We have visited the resort on previous trips, but never stayed.  Staying at the resort was on Sean's Bucket List and blessed by a great deal I was able to make this a reality for him (us).  We had a beautiful room overlooking a quiet patio seating area where the Disneyland Monorail would quietly pass through.

We felt so spoiled.

Dancing on the esplanade, hugs in Disneyland, playing like kids with Jake and Riss, trying new foods and eating lots of our favorites, enjoying rides with fewer people, shopping till our hearts content and walking 23.5 miles in 3 days made for a wonderful start to 2026.

Ashley came to visit!

My dear friend and teaching partner Ashley came to visit.  This girlie does not take sick or personal days throughout the school year if she can help it, but she used both of her personal days to come visit me.  WOW!.

I took her to all of my DC favorites, Fort McHenry, Annapolis, the Capitol, all of the monuments and memorials.  I love having memories with her in this very special city.  

My favorite moment were watching her frost Valentine cookies with the boys.  She was so patient, encouraging and loving with them.  They loved her.  

But the official goose bump moment was when she came downstairs wearing a light gray textured sweater, but like me.  We shared many days at school dressed similarly.  The students thought we planned it.  NOPE. 

We have celebrated a lot of graduations this year.  Dreyton started it off with graduating with his masters 4 months early.  Dreyton loves to learn.  He is an exceptional student, writer and dedicated to further his understanding in the fields he loves.  I am so grateful I got to watch him walk across the stage.

Listening to the boys yell "Daddy" and clap as they said his name gave me goosebumps.  His example shows them how important earning an education is and that it can be done even with many responsibilities.  Cutie E and Cutie O love their Daddy.  

A quick trip to Nashville became a goosebump moment over and over.

Thanks to my sister and nephew, Sean was given an opportunity to photograph the senior living property my sister works at.  

My sister is very talented, but doesn't always see her gifts and the joy she brings to others.  On this trip I was able to watch her laugh, love, spoil a special group of seniors and co-workers.  Every time she walked into a room each of their faces lit up.  I've known Leslie's pure joy for life for 50 years, it was so much fun to see others benefit from her zeal as well.

I've said before how much I love watching Sean work.  He has a real talent for capturing what makes each property special.  Beyond that his love for people really comes out.  Each trip I have taken I have witnessed him slowing down to briefly visit with residents.  This trip wasn't any different.

As we rolled into April life began to pick up.  General Conference, Holly left for training and moving to Virginia was inching closer. We took a break from packing to enjoy two more graduations.

Temple visits are always a peaceful time for me to focus on my relationship with Christ.  General Conference weekend ended up being a perfect time to take the Cuties for their birthday pictures.  They love the temple.  

Our first stop was Phoneix, Arizona to watch Ragen graduated from Grand Canyon University.  Ragen earned her masters degree in social work, a perfect field for a girl that loves to help and support others.  While we were waiting for graduation to begin I couldn't get over how Ragen did it.  She worked 2 jobs and sometimes 3, did an internship and graduated with honors.  Sean and I were truly overcome with joy as we celebrated this huge accomplishment.

                                                          

Two days later we were in Logan, Utah celebrating Harrisons graduation from Utah State University.  While teaching 3/4 time, coaching football and basketball he earned his masters in Sports Management.  He loved his program and the opportunities to spend time in different areas of athletics in the public school setting.

Harrison is much like his dad, he enjoys learning, but does better when he is able to experience the learning, not just read about it.  When he told us he was going back to school we were a bit surprised.  Watching him walk across the stage earning a master degree gave me chills.  He sacrificed a lot to earn his degree.

Spring was in bloom in the most beautiful ways this year.  Washington DC really shines during Cherry Blossom season.  The trees were so heavy with flowers that many of the branches dipped into the water along the Tidal Basin.  As we walked along the basin from MLK to Jefferson I could not get over how beautiful the flowers were.  Each tree seems look more perfect.

The boys loved getting back outside after a long cold winter.  One of their favorite things to do is listen for airplanes, helicopters, trucks, and birds.  I loved when they recognized a cardinal singing or when they learned to blow wishes.

Before leaving DC I had to see the panda bears.  They are magical.  Quiet, peaceful, cozy creatures.  Cutie E loved watching them eat bamboo Cutie O liked watching them sleep.  Either way was incredible.  

Give it up for Dreyton, and his second graduation this year.  In late May we celebrated him completing a rigorous 3 year program with the military.  His training focused on improving his technical and leadership skills within the military and intelligence community.  There were long days, late nights, papers and reports that kept him busy, each helping him gain a deeper knowledge of keeping our country secure.

Sunsets any time of year are beautiful, but. this one made the hairs on my arms and neck stand up.  This beautiful display of purples and pinks appeared just over our house after a thunderstorm.  The rainbow was such a surprise since I couldn't see the sun shining through any clouds.

Toy Story 5 with the boys, this was their first movie.  Toy Story was Harrison's first movie and the theme of his first birthday.  It was absolute joy to share this beloved movie series with two generations of adorable boys.

          

                                                   

One more graduation, Jake graduated from Officer Training School.  This was 9 weeks for intense physical and mental training to prepare him for pilot training.  Graduation was incredible.  Watching these men and women march onto the bowling green in uniform took my breath away.  My dad would have loved seeing this display of honor.  That wasn't the only moment that gave me goosebumps.  Watching Riss and Jake hug after being separated for 9 weeks was so sweet.  These two have been through a lot of separations due to military assignments and her obligation for her scholarship.  It is not easy, but they find a way to make it work.  

Strawberry Picking.  I was afraid we would miss the season due to moving, but we caught it just in time.  The Cuties ate more than they picked, but were super helpful mashing them, stirring in the sugar and pouring in the pectin to make freezer jam.  The Dotson strawberry freezer jam making lives on.

June began the Organized Chaos Shuffle, that lasted 8 LONG weeks!  Back to that in a moment.

Before leaving DC we wanted to make one more visit to our favorites and check out a few fountains that are now working.  We were pleasently surprised to learn that the "Great American State Fair" opened the night we headed into the city.

There were a lot of people, but we didn't mind.  We were able to pick up a few special momentos for the 250th, check out Washington Monument, WWII s Memorial, see the blue reflecting pool and hang out at the Lincoln Memorial as the sun set.  The colors of the sunset gave the Washington Monument a beautiful display of colors.  

Just before we left a very kind man alerted us to special fly over's that were going to take place.  We chose to wait.  It was worth staying an extra hours to see four different military fly overs.  

What a night!

Thank you Facebook for the photo

  

S'more night seemed like a fitting good bye to our home of three years.  Cutie E loved them so much he had three.  Cutie O wasn't sure of the sticky mess.

                                                 

                                               

I always thought it would be fantastic to have someone else pack you up, load a truck, move your stuff and then unload the truck.  Sure, its less stressful.  You aren't packing your things for months on end, but It Is Not What Its All Cracked Up To Be.  

For two months I had no idea where anything was.  Like items or items from the same room were not in the same box.  Boxes were not clearly labeled in Shannon Fashion, nope it just said the name of the room.  So home became where the boxes were.  Yorktown's recycling center is going to know us by name very soon.

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We said good bye to our amazing neighbors, friends and ward and have moved to Virginia where we have enjoyed getting to know our new ward, neighborhood pool, Richmond Temple and Williamsburg.  I am so excited to get to live so close to Jamestown, Yorktown and Williamsburg, plus the Atlantic Ocean is just 30 minutes away.

           

In 1976 I was 4 1/2 year old when we celebrated our countries 200th birthday and I don't remember much.  I have been looking forward to celebrating our 250th Birthday and was thrilled that we would be in Virginia to celebrate.  Of course our move happened the week of the 4th of July and our household goods were delivered on July 3.  

Have you ever heard a Thomas Jefferson interpreter speak?  The gentleman at Monticello is phenomenal, so when I saw that Williamsburg was going to have "Thomas Jefferson" read the Declaration of Independence from the Capitol Terrace I knew we had to be there.  I have no idea what it was like to hear this precious document read in 1776, but if it was anything like the chills I felt on July 4, then it was pretty spectacular.

We stood among a patriotic crowds to hear the Declaration, to listen to the Star Spangled Banner and Pledge of Allegiance, to talk to the horses, tour the Wythe house, sign the Declaration and sit with a copy for a picture.  It was worth every drop of sweat we spilled.  

Instead of returning to see the fireworks we snuggled at home and watched the firework displays from Williamsburg, New York City and Washington DC. It was cooler, not so sticky and much more comfortable, plus the boys got naps and to bed on time.

We've only been here  5 weeks, but it already feels like home.