News of Jessi

This is just a short post to let you all know that my sister-in-law, Jessica Ramey, has passed away. She has been battling a rare and aggressive bile duct cancer for the past year. She died peacefully on Monday, May 17th at 10:30am with Arlen at her side. She was 30 years old. My heart is with Arlen and his three girls today as they accept that she has gone home and now must face a future without her. Funeral arrangements are still being made and I will post again when I know more. My parents and Shauna are on their way out to Ohio and Jessi's parents are already there. I was lucky enough to visit them just two weeks ago when I was in the states for Shauna's wedding, and even though I will not be able to make it back for the funeral, I feel privileged to have spent some time with Jessi before she died.

I know some of you have kept updated with the carepages Arlen and Jessi have written and all your thoughts and prayers have been much appreciated. Will let this be all for now. Sarah

#3: Preparations

Wake up, sleepyhead!

Decorations for the rehearsal dinner

The "flower room"...putting together bouqets

The girls bouqets
Shauna's bouqet

Rhys looking dashing in his wedding attire

Ryann and Elena...Shauna's attendants

#2: Bridal Shower

Shauna and her two moms
Organizing

Kevin's Mom, Lisa, and his Idaho Mom, Lori

Yummy fruit platter!

three different quiches Mom made...delicious!

Kitchen helpers Lorraine and Grandma Ramey

After the shower, Shauna made chocolate chip cookies for the wedding with the help of Ryann and Elena

Trip to USA: #1 Pre-wedding-ness

Well, all my faithful blog-followers...I am alive and well. I am halfway through my trip home for Shauna and Kevin's wedding. We had a great time in Idaho although it was very quick. Rhys and I arrived in Salt Lake City on Thursday the 22nd of April where Mom and Dad picked us up. We stayed the night there and then drove back to Rupert, Idaho the next afternoon. Adjusting to the time difference was a lot harder than it has been in the past and Rhys had a few really hard nights. We did finally get him turned around in time for Sunday, the day before the wedding. Saturday we had a bridal shower for Shauna (pictures in forthcoming post). Sunday was a very special meeting with all the family gathered plus Shauna and Kevin's normal meeting and then Sunday night we had a rehearsal dinner. Monday was the wedding which was beautiful (pictures soon, I promise) and we had a nice lunch at Shauna and Kevin's favorite mexican restaurant. The original plan was for us to spend the next week around Idaho with Shauna before going back to Albany, but when I arrived I found out that Arlen and Jessi weren't coming as Jessi wasn't well enough to make the trip. Shauna and Kevin had jumped on a plane that very morning to go get the girls so that they could still come out. So the new plan was that on Wednesday after the wedding, Shauna, Emilee and I hopped on a plane for Ohio with the girls. Whew! Talk about a busy few days. Rhys went home with Mom and Dad which was a nice break for me. I got to see Arlen and Jessi and the girls for a few days. They have a really nice spot in the country with dogs and chickens and rabbits and even a goat! Now I am back in Albany for just over a week...it has already felt like this trip as blown by. Rhys is doing great, loving playing with Bella, Mom and Dad's dog, and just having time with them also. So enough of blah blah blah...here are some pictures!

Rhys and I totally zonked out at the hotel in Salt Lake City after a very sleepless night

Semi-bright-eyed and bushy-tailed after waking him at noon.

The happy couple
Rhys and I on Sunday

All cuteness!

Justin and Emilee Norcross with Sydney and Tyler

Whet-woo

Mom and Dad and Kevin's parents, Gordon and Lisa

Mom and Dad

Shauna and Kevin with nieces and nephews....I selected the photo where all the kids were acting up...too hilarious!

Elena, Ryann, and Paige

Dad with Paige and Rhys

Sydney and Paige

Hanging out on the floor under everyone's feet

Sydney loved giving hugs! Rhys wasn't so sure...

Matchy-matchy on Sunday

Loving bath time!

Lake Cruising

This was a lovely evening we spent out on our friends' boat on Lake Moondarra. Rhys was a bit nervous at first and wasn't sure he liked the life jacket, but as you can see, he decided it was the best!