Sean's Funeral

Kevin's brother Sean passed away unexpectedly on October 5, 2012. Here is the obituary that ran in the Lewiston tribune after his death: 

Sean Cameron Kellogg passed away unexpectedly Oct. 5, 2012, at his home in Genesee. He was 38. He was born in 1974 in Cody, Wyo., to Gary and Randi Kellogg.

Sean was active in the scouting program and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in the California Riverside Mission. He was very active in his church. Sean graduated from Grangeville High School, earned his associate's degree from Ricks College and graduated from the School of Accountancy at Brigham Young University. At the time of his death he was employed by Walmart.

Sean is survived by his parents, three brothers, three sisters and 10 nieces and nephews.  A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m.  Wednesday at the LDS Stake Center on Blaine Street in Moscow.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the National epilepsy Foundation or the charity of one’s choice.  

Sean

Sean lived with Kevin's parents in Genesee, ID., which is 2 hours from here so we had been fortunate since we moved to Spokane to see him frequently.  This made his death especially difficult for Josie and Conor, as they loved him dearly.  We had a rough 2 weeks as we dealt with the emotions and the funeral.  We are so grateful for the  knowledge we have of the eternal blessing of forever families that brings peace to our hearts.   Thanks to all the wonderful support from families and friends, so many people have been so gracious and understanding. 

All of Kevin's brothers and sisters were able to attend the funeral, as well as Aunt Deb and Aunt Jan.  It was really nice to be able to get together as we see each other so infrequently. The funeral was held the following Wednesday on a beautiful fall day. 

All the siblings and Kevin's Mom and Dad

All the neices and nephews

The beautiful trees overlooking the church where the funeral was held

Lincoln placing a single white rose at the gravesite

Priest Lake Mountain Bike Race

Kevin and I both competed in a mountain bike race up at Priest Lake a few weekends back. Kevin did the 30 miler and I decided to not kill myself and do the 15 miler. We left at the crack of dawn and headed on up to beautiful Priest. It was 25 degrees when we got out of the car,  BRRRRRRR. It did warm up considerably. Kevin's race left 1 hr before me so I was designated photographer. My race left after his and I returned before him. We talked our good friends Ginger and Dave Wilson in to doing it with us and I am so glad they came! They were great sports especially as they are newbies to riding. The Kellogg's were well represented and we both took 1st in our divisions and races. Kevin's time was 2 hr and 55 minutes (this is amazing as his climb was insane!) My time was 1 hr and 12 minutes and should have been 15 minutes less but I repeated some of the course (the climb) because I was so far ahead that I got nervous on where the turn around was. Oh well, I still won. What a great way to spend a day.

Kevin lining up to head out

Crossing the finish line

Just after Kevin's race-he is about to regret sucking down 3 cartons of muscle milk

Showing off our trophy's and spoils

Dave, Julie, Ginger and Kevin

Ginger and Julie

Look who we saw at Rosaurs!

I must say that it is pretty crazy to walk into the local grocery store without Conor and yet see him standing right in front of you. Pretty funky. I think he looks awesome! Lincoln was actually the 1st to spot him when we saw it for the first time.  He started yelling his name.  We have had tons of people tell us that they have seen him around town. Grandma Kellogg even saw him down in Idaho. Lots of people are lucky enough to see Conor smiling at them as they start their local shopping or library trip.

The Rosaurs at 5 mile

Rosaurs at the Y. 

Fall activities

Fall at our house has been very busy. We have been able to do lots of fun things from: canning peaches, water skiing with the ladies a few times, mountain biking, school projects, soccer, scouts, fun visitors and the list goes on. Here are a few snap shots of the last few weeks at our house.

Conor has been saving his money and reward rocks all summer to get a hermit crab. The day finally arrived and 2 hermit crabs, Crumpley and Sparkey, found their new homes in Conor's bedroom. YAaaaayyyy.  Can you sense my excitement? 

Both kids have been busy with soccer. Josie surprised us all with her desire to play this year. She cries very little about the shoes and socks and shin guards and she is a decent little hustler. Some games she is really on fire and you can't stop her. We are so lucky to have Coach Aaron as our coach again. Go Snow Leapords! I will add a team picture one of these days. Conor continues to improve his skills in the U10 developmental program and he is doing great.

We were lucky enough to create the dreaded gingerbread cutout this year.  Why do I have to repeat kindergarten with each child?  My kids are not capable of creating this gingerman.  2 down one to go. 

I was lucky enough to go water skiing a few times this fall with my good friend Kacey and others.  Kacey is nice enough to share her boat and we sneak out while the kids are at school and hit the smooth water at Long Lake.  Bliss!  This is where I escape in my mind when life gets hectic.

Grandma and Grandpa Nielsen paid us a surprise visit to help celebrate Lincoln's b-day.  We had so much fun with them.  We played and shopped and enjoyed spending time together.  Wish they lived closer.  We took them to Manitou park this time.  The gardens were beautiful!

The hermit crab cage

Conor holding his favorite

Go Conor go!

Our soccer gal Josie with the flowing long hair...

Josie in action

The Snow Leopards and Coach Aaron.  Brooklyn, Lucia, Isabelle, Kaylynn, Chloe and Josie

Love that she is headed straight for me-this girl can be fast if she wants to.

Josie with her friendly gingergirl

Kacey, Julie and Sharon

Grandpa giving Lincoln a ride

Manitou gardens

Conor and Josie tiptoeing through the flowers

Lincoln is 2!

Another milestone met at our house. Baby Lincoln has left the baby stage and is officially a toddling 2 yr old with a strong desire for independence.  As we all know he has a tremendous love for cars so I broke my rule of  no cool birthday cakes made by me at my house, and decided that this kid just had to have a car cake.  I found one that looked fairly painless and tried it out.  Believe it or not, it actually turned out pretty decent.  I got up and made it in the morning in case I needed to make cupcakes as back up (no cupcakes were made).  My mistake was to not take pictures 1st thing, it ended up drooping a bit over the course of the day.  Oh well, all I really wanted was to be able to tell it was a car and I think it did. 


We had pancakes for his birthday meal and then opened presents, then cake.  Grandma and Grandpa Nielsen came to help celebrate his birthday, which made it even more fun.  The greatest thing about a 2 yr old birthday is that they are so unassuming.  Every new surprise is just that, a surprise and amazing and it is almost over whelming.  He was so animated and happy all evening, I loved it.  We decide to get him a train table for his birthday.  I figured that his love of cars and wheels would make him an excellent candidate for a table.  I was right, the table was a hit.  Josie and Conor even liked it. For the first few days it was always being played with by someone. HAPPY BIRTHDAY LINCOLN!

Happy Birthday boy with his presents

He was so excited to open the 1st present (car)

The car cake and candles moment!  What more does a 2 yr old need?

Here is the rear view

Front view

Are there other presents?  According to Lincoln, No

This picture is because we talked Lincoln into parking these cars while he opened another present and he kept checking on them to make sure no one took them. 

This table was a hit for everyone in the family

Conor Triathlon

I am so proud of Conor! He competed in his first triathlon and did amazing. What a super star. He swam 60 yards, biked 3 miles and ran 1 mile all in 21 minutes. Not only is this fabulous, but he did this after a soccer game as well. Amazing what a little healthy competition can bring out in a 9 year old. He had a really great time and is looking forward to next year.  Side note: Conor's new name is Endless Energy.  After the days activities he still talked Dad into taking him on a mountain bike ride.

Getting some last minute instruction before the swim

Passing the competition on the bike - his strongest leg

The final lap of the run

Proud finisher with a cool medal to boot!  AWESOME