Remi lately has been loving Strawberries. We give them to her in this neat little net so she can't choke on them. She LOVES it! Avery thought it was funny that it was all on her face and saw that I was taking pictures and she went and got her camera and started taking pictures of her as well. This was so cute.
Tonight Ash and I were going through old bins and organizing and scanning in old pics. While Ash did all the work, I went through our old artifacts and reminisced. I found a photo book that my mom put together of Bolton's life. In it was the eulogy I wrote for his funeral. Since his 18th birthday (in human years) is coming up on the 22nd, I thought I'd share that day with you all.
Bolton’s Eulogy
I wanted to write a eulogy for Bolton. I didn’t know where to start, so with all things my search began on the internet. I came upon this fabulous site called freeeulogies.com. The writings were very touching; they all came from the heart. A eulogy from many hearts is better than a eulogy from one, so I thought I’d include some of their thoughts in my own eulogy for Bolton.
Today we celebrate the life of my dear friend, Bolton. On behalf of my entire family, I want to thank all of you for your compassion and for being present here today. I told myself I wouldn’t cry, so I won’t. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Eric, and I'm your son, brother, husband, or brother in-law. But more importantly, I’m Bolton’s friend.
He was born on June 22, 1990-something and died sometime in the past two years. Bolton you were my teacher, my mentor and my dear friend. You provided me your counsel and wisdom. You shared your joyous smile and laugh. You shared your zest for life and the passion for all those things that were important to you. You’ve always been considered one of us. Whether it be mom yelling at you or Jacob, we never knew who she was talking about, or dad referring to Ashley as Bolton’s wife, you were always family.
I know you all would want me to share my Bolton story with you. Bolton was committed to the practice and preservation of Jewish life. His travels into our lives began in a box. His namesake and sufferings began with the horrible music of Michael Bolton. I never admitted to my friends about how he got his name. I just said he was very fast.
Bolton enjoyed the little things in life, the quick cool dips in the pool during the summer, eating the raw eggs off the grass after the annual egg hunt, poker nights with Steve on Tuesdays, chasing the black birds that would steal his food and humping the Rush boys. You would have never known his family jewels were stolen. He was energetic, loving, and had chappy skin on his elbows.
You will be missed Bolton. Whose earwax will Trent pick with his bare hands and have Jacob sniff while playing “Would You Rather”? Who is now going to entertain us, now that there won’t be any more red rocket? Whose face will I rip one in as I climb the ladder? Sure the flowers on the side of the fountain will grow. Sure we can eat outside now without having to worry about the smell. Sure we can save money by not having to buy the recalled/poisonous dog food that really did you in. We continue to keep the gate closed, not because we are still worried about you being able to get out, but really to keep the Mexicans out. We are saddened that you did not get to find your eternal mate here on earth. We knew you wouldn’t take as long as certain uncles, had you the opportunity. Your memory will live on.
During the last months, weeks and days of the life of Bolton, during that hard time of his illness, he was not dying. He was living. Until he went to see the vet…..As the rest of us laugh and Amy cries, we think back about good times we shared. His body may be gone, but he lives on in the deepest fiber of our being. His life and blood and memory live on in us, his children and grandchildren and, soon, his great-grandchildren. Your name will live on and not just as the password for my email. We can all rest in peace with you and know that Darlene McCloud will never again take you away.
RIP Bolty
Dad holding Bolton and saying some last words in his work/surgical gloves.
Sarah and Braden are either newly weds here or they ran out of room on the bench.
Mom and Dad passing out the photo books.
Here is Jacob checking out Bolton's life in pictures. Yes, Kinzy is required to wear a helmet while outside.
Jeff and Kennedy
Funeral procession
Cody digging the hole to bury Bolton.
We all took turns putting dirt on the grave.
Some were a little more emotional than others.
And one was a little more emotional than all.
Dad throwing on the final layers of dirt WITHOUT his work gloves. What a soldier.
Moment of silence
Bolton's HillSo tomorrow I turn the big 26! Wow, I am feeling older now. I think back at my life and look at where I am now and I have been truly blessed. But now that I am a wife and mother nothing really seems to be for me. I don't know how to explain it, but everything I do I do for Eric, Avery and soon to be Remi. I never do anything for me anymore. Kind of sad I know. Sometimes I wish I could go back to being a little girl and have my Mom and Dad take care of me. They still do, but its different as an adult and on your own. I just wish sometimes I could have them hold me and take care of me when I am sick and things like that. I guess that disappears when you get married and have kids, because they need to have that role from you. I don't even know why I am writing this. Maybe it is because I am sick and have 4 weeks left til Remi is here and I am just tired of everything right now. But I can't complain, I have a job, a home, a GREAT husband, and a beautiful daughter. So I guess Happy Birthday to me and keep bringing the Birthdays because I can handle it.
The week of Halloween was so packed with things to do. I did get it all done though. Thursday night we headed to Derek and Jen's for the annual Pumpkin carving party that they do each year. We all carved our pumpkins, ate treats, and watched a scary movie. Thanks guys!! We love coming. Then on Saturday night our ward held their Halloween party. It started with a Chili cook off and then the "Trunk or Treat" for the kids. But due to the rain, it was held in the church. We sat in the hall on a chair and the kids walked around. Eric took Avery and she LOVED it! Eric said she got the concept fast. We dressed up as Snow White, the wicked witch, and the poison apple. It was fun even though it was rainy. Then at home, Avery loved handing out candy and even some kisses to the Trick or Treaters. It will continue to get better each year and I can't wait.
I need to play catch up with this blog and stay on the ball! A lot has been happening in the life of us Elggrens. We finally got our yard done for the year and it was a lot of work. Thank you so so much to my WONDERFUL Parents who helped us! We love you dearly. Baby #2 is almost here and we can't wait to get little Remi here. Avery needs a sister to play with. Eric is into his MBA program and working full time still. I am still working and will continue to work after the baby. Avery is just FULL of LIFE in every way possible. We are seeing the "terrible two" side of her now and that I can do without. Grandma Elggren came to visit for a few days and we went to Cornbelly's and let Avery enjoy it. We had a fun night of making Halloween Sugar Cookies and Avery loved to put the whole bottle of sprinkles on one cookie.Avery and her Dad are really good buddies. She loves him and boy does he love her. Here are a few pictures of some of the events listed above. And from now on I will be better at making posts. PROMISE!! 
Eric and I flew to Arizona on this last Wednesday, August 4th 2010 to attend his little brother's wedding. It was a little nerve wracking taking Avery on her very first plane flight at 9:30 pm. Not the best idea when its bed time. She didn't handle the flight there too well. She did fall asleep 10 minutes before we landed. Not the best timing on that either. Haha. Eric's dad, Craig, picked us up and took us to the house. The next day we spent getting last minute things done for the reception that was to be held there the next night. It was good to see everyone! Friday was the big day. Jacob and Sara's sealing ceremony was amazing. I loved the little old man who performed the ceremony. It was truly special. It was so good to Jacob getting married to Sara. She is wonderful and fits well with him. I am excited to have another sister-in-law in the family besides myself. Then we took pictures after the temple and went to Cararaba's for the lunch. Avery was not on her best behavior here either, but that is because it was her nap time. The reception that night in the Elggren's backyard was really nice. We were all really tired by the end and enjoyed a restful Saturday of swimming and BBQ the next day. It was a great trip for all and we could not be happier for the newly weds!! Congrats you two! We love you.
