We Are Grieving!

Don Brown Clayburn

June 17, 1927 - June 4, 2010

Today Matt's Grandpa Clayburn passed away. We are sad. Very sad. We loved him . . . A LOT! He was the last of our living Grandpa's.

Thoughts of Grandpa . . .

* I first met Grandpa Clayburn in Branson, MO back in 1996 when Matt and I were dating. He came out of no where and started tackling Matt in a mall. He scared me half to death. He was funny!

* He, Grandma and Uncle Doyle drove from SLC to STL for our Temple Sealing. That meant A LOT!

* When we moved to Utah in 2004 we were able to see Grandma and Grandpa a lot. They invited us over to their home in Rose Park often - made us feel like we had the cutest kids alive, let them be kids in their home/yard and acted like life stopped while we were there. They made us feel welcomed & loved EVERY single time.

* They also drove up to our home in Ogden several times. They made time for us!

* They enjoyed taking us out to dinner.

* We enjoyed taking them out for ice cream.

* We bought Grandpa some cowboy boots and he was cute in them!

* Matt & I went to Utah in 2001 when Ethan was about 3 months old. While there we hooked up with Grandma and Grandpa. While driving with them on I-15 I suddenly had to go to the bathroom REALLY, REALLY bad. Matt informed Grandpa of the emergency and Grandpa floored it to 90 mph to the nearest 7-11. I will NEVER forget that ride!

* He played a mean harmonica and keyboard.

* His laugh was funny.

* Grandpa emailed us every couple of months. This was a man in his 80's who had just bought his first computer so he could do his calling as Ward Clerk better.

* He cared about us and let us know it.

* Grandpa invited me to be his friend on Facebook. He didn't comment a lot, but did periodically. He was cool!

* Even though he wasn't MY biological grandpa, I felt like I was HIS biological granddaughter.

Miss you Grandpa. You were one of the bestest!! We love you!

View Grandpa's obituary HERE.

Happy 60th Grandpa!

Today is Matt's dads birthday. We hope you have a wonderful day! We love you and miss you.

Dennis with Matthew (1.5 years old) and April (2+ months old) 1975

Dennis speaking at Matthew's Eagle Court of Honor (1990)

Matthew and Dennis in Salt Lake City, UT right before Matt left on LDS mission (1992)


Ashton and Grandpa - Gatlinburg, TN (July 2008)

Grandpa with Ryan - Cocoa Beach, FL (June 2005)

Happy Birthday Great Grandpa Clayburn

Today is Matt's Grandpa Clayburn's Birthday. He turned 80 something! While living in Utah we had the opportunity of visiting he and grandma quite often. Each time we visited their home Grandpa would take the boys out on the riding lawnmower. They had so much fun. We miss you Grandpa and hope you had a super day!!! We love you!!

Grandpa holding Matthew (23 months) and cousin Dean

Grandma holding April (Matt's sister - 5 months)

Grandpa and Ethan - 2005 (SLC, UT)

Grandpa and Ryan - 2005

Grandpa and Ashton - 2005

Ashton with Grandpa - 2005

Happy Mother's Day, Moms!

God made a wonderful mother,
A mother who never grows old;
He made her smile of the sunshine,
He molded her heart of pure gold.
In her eyes He placed bright, shining stars,
Her cheeks, fair roses you see;
God made a wonderful mother,
And He gave that dear Mother to me.

Happy Mother's Day Mom! I Love You!
(From, Amy)
Happy Mother's Day Mom! I Love You!
(From, Matthew)

Matthew (1.5 yrs) & his Mom Carolyn
(holding sister April)



Amy's Mom Diane, 1975

On the Fourth Day of Christmas . . .

This post is mainly for Grandma & Grandpa in Florida and Grandma in St. Louis. There are 2 videos. One I picked, the other Matt picked. You MAY be able to figure out who picked what.