Happy 32nd Birthday Jeff

Happy 32nd Birthday Jeff! His friends and family celebrated his birthday "Jeff style". It started out with smothered burritos from his favorite Mexican restaurant in Bountiful, La Frontera. We practically had the place to ourselves - so naturally grandpa started some tom foolery (in honor of Jeff)...throwing rice, hitting people with straws etc.... Miles even honored us with a few of his famous "do it again" faces (a phrase coined by Jeff 7 years ago when Miles would tighten all of his face muscles and turn red).




The whole gang at La Frontera. Looks like there is even a spot for Jeff left directly behind Krystal.

All of the Spencer nephews and niece sitting ON Jeff. Just like he would have wanted.


At the grave, grandma Louise brought several dozen white helium balloons. Everyone in attendance got to write a little note (or draw pictures in some cases) for Jeff. All of the Spencer family was there (minus Rachel who was job hunting in Portland), The Johnsons (including Marcus and his family), and The Wingets. What a crowd!





Grave stone decorated in style!










After everyone was done writing / drawing on their balloons - we all let them go at the same time. You can see the wonder and amazement in the kids eyes as they watched all of the balloons float higher and higher. Now we will never know just what Rick drew exactly on his balloon.




We partied. We set off noise makers. It wasn't very reverent - but that is the way we liked it and especially the way Jeff would like it. We had so much fun.


We ate snacks --- namely homemade Peanut Butter bars, Oreos and Red Vines. There were even some drinking Diet Coke in his honor.






Jeff's early birthday celebration was enormously fun. It was so good to just have fun and do what Jeff would have wanted....get closer to friends and family and just enjoy the memories. If we could have - we would have had a sleep over in honor of Jeff (maybe we will do that for your 40th b-day Jeff! ) We miss you immensely! Happy Birthday Big guy!

"Looking for Jesus"

I think of this picture every time I go to get water at the well in Centerville! On the way back from the well this very van is parked in a driveway along 100 South or so. The first time I saw it parked there after Jeff died I nearly crashed the car looking at it because I was so exited and surprised to see it there. Jer and I took this picture probably about 8-10 years ago in a parking lot in Bountiful. Isn't this just so Jeff. Being goofy with his Chevron shirt on! Now it is ironic to me. Looking for Jesus....no need to look much further. Maybe it is a good reminder for all of us to keep our sites on Him. Just thinking about you today Jeff! Loving you tons!