We had the unfortunate but amazing opportunity to travel to San Antonio, Texas at the beginning of January to attend the funeral and honor the life of Tyler's dad, Larry Carl Allen. After being diagnosed with Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma and being bedridden since last May he passed away from the effects of pneumonia on Sunday, January 3rd, 2016. Even when death is expected, it is never easy. However, the fact that he passed quickly when it came time and with very little pain throughout is such a tender mercy.
We made the decision to take the whole family out for the funeral. Our kids have good memories of Grandpa Allen and we felt it was important for them to be there. We are so thankful for family members on both sides of our family who helped make the trip possible by providing funds for gas and hotel stays.
~ The Viewing & Funeral - January 9th ~
Tyler's dad always said he wanted his funeral to be a celebration of his life. I believe that wish was fulfilled. Look at all those smiling faces!! I think my favorite thing was my 3 nieces who face timed the event from Utah. Thank heavens for technology...they didn't have to miss out! It was also nice meeting Allen/Rust cousins and any time we can be around family is super special.
Monah and Tory Valentine shared their musical talents both during the viewing and the funeral.
I admire my mother in law, Aldine, so much! You can meet her and with in minutes feel like she is your best friend. I love these pictures because here she is the one going through this sad time and yet you can see in her eyes and in the way she looks at her friends how much they mean to her and of her love for them. She is a beautiful example of what really matters.
~ Family members at the viewing ~
One of Larry's sister's, Norma, and her daughter, Jennifer, made the trip from St. George. They are in the left of the front row. Several other nieces and nephews came from around the country and all of Aldine's surviving siblings came to show their support. All of Larry's children were in attendance.
~ The final goodbye ~
Here Grandma is explaining to Ben that Grandpa looks different because
his spirit is no longer in his body.
Tyler gave the family prayer and also conducted the funeral...
Pall Bearers consisted of 4 older grandsons, 2 sons in law, 1 brother in law, and 3 nephews
~ At the Cemetery ~
Dad's grave is right next to his son in law Todd Valentine (whose grave you couldn't really see due to the set up for the funeral). Dru, Sarah, and Jessie were still on the tablet face timing!! Tyler's brother Jay dedicated the grave. All the grandkids got to take a flower from the bouquet in remembrance of Grandpa. It was super windy and cold...but beautiful.
At the luncheon they had a table full of pictures of Larry with his family growing up. He is the youngest of 4 and the only boy. He is the baby in this picture!! His oldest sister, Merle, has already passed and he has 2 other living sisters, Betty and Norma.
~ Growing up through the years ~
~ The whole fam ~
His parents were Joseph and Aura Allen. His mom Aura was sick a lot while Larry was growing up so he did not always live at home when he was young. Often he and his sisters were split up between other family members.
Here is Larry with his mother, sisters, and Leavitt grandparents.
They Allen family in the late 60's. Larry and Aldine have 4 children in this picture...Shauna, Jay, Cindy, and baby Jeanette. They are on the left of the picture next to Larry's parents.
A big memory for Tyler's family is summer trips to Lake Powell on the houseboat The Sunsation with Tyler's dad as captain. Family from both sides would come join them. It is frequently talked about and remembered as a highlight among all the cousins.
The 4 siblings in later years
Tyler's immediate family
The posterity of Larry and Aldine
7 children, 33 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren
Most of us are included in this collage from their 50th wedding anniversary in 2013
~ Aldine's siblings and niece ~
Roseanne, Jayna, Arlea, April, and Matt
Nice tongue Andy!!
Tanner had fun helping Uncle Matt clean up trash...
...and put tables away
After the luncheon it was back to Cindy's house for Dairy Queen blizzards...one of Dad's favorites!!
And LOTS of visiting!!!
My boys had a BLAST playing in Aunt Cindy's backyard all afternoon!!!
That night some of us snuck out for a movie. Ü
We saw "Daddy's Home" with Will Ferrell. I wouldn't really recommend it...but it was
fun being with family!! Ü
Sunday we would have gone to church with Tyler's mom...but they were having a stake meeting to realign some boundaries...so we went to The Alamo instead. Ü
It was not Tanner's happiest morning. :(
Walking across the street to the River Walk...Ben got a piggy back ride from Uncle Jay!!
It was kind of hard explaining to the kids that sometimes under certain circumstances it maybe might be ok to eat at a restaurant on Sunday...especially when Uncle Jay is paying!! Ü
Jay, Angie, and Tyler
He's happier now!! He loved watching the fish by our table.
Sneaky Snake
The rest of Sunday afternoon was spent relaxing and playing with family.
Tyler had a little too much fun with some magnets his mom had. Ü
Memories were sure made!!
We headed home on Monday. First though we spent a little time at Mom's house. Abby and I got to go through her jewelry and pick some pieces to keep.
In Tyler's dad's office he had a white board with all his grandchildren and great grandchildren's names written on it. I thought is was neat!!
He also had this board of pictures. We were well represented!! Ü
~ Pictures with Grandma!! ~
We wanted to remember their temple wall with pictures of temples from places their children went on missions and were married. Alex is wearing one of grandpa's hats and has a memento from Switzerland...where grandpa served his mission...around his neck.
Andy and Ales are taller than Grandma now!!
So thankful are kids are such good travelers!!
Ben pumping gas for the first time!
They could read FOREVER!!!
We love you Dad! I am so thankful for the kind of man you were and that I was able to marry into your wonderful family!!
(Can you find baby Tyler?) 
~ Larry's Obituary ~
http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Larry-Allen&lc=7474&pid=177158425&mid=6744666&cid=em.legacy.dm.7474.6744666
