Dan Silkman's Celebration of Life

My brother in law passed away unexpected at the age of 51 August 29, 2009 at 2:58 am in Denver Colorado.   All my family including my grand kids came to celebrate Dan's life on Sept. 3, 2009. Dan served in the military for 30 years and had an honorable discharge 5 years ago due to heart problems that he sustained from Desert Storm.  Dan was a man with great talent.  He was a very gentle giant and very quite.  When we went to his home we found a large amount of medals and certificates he had received will serving his country.  No one even knew of his numerous accomplishments.  He was a remarkable man, a genious and most important a son, brother and uncle.  Irma (Dan's mother) and Jaxon my grand son stand before the memorial.  Jaxon wanted to put on Dan's hat.  He was so touched to see all the honors Dan had received.  We as a family decided to make this day "Dan's day to remember."  The kids took great pride in sharing there day with Dan.

Ava loved to smell all the flowers that had arrived.  My father sent this arrangement on behalf of the Bartran family.

My boys Alex, Brandon and Clay spent time talking with relatives they have not seen in over 20 years.  It was nice to have this time to spend with family from all over the US.

Irma and Leon love spending what time they had with the grand kids.  The grandkids love them so much and had a wonderful time at the home.

While we were there the kids had the wonderful opportunity to look at Dan's gun collection.  They all marveled at these.

Ava spent a lot of time outside trying to catch butterflies and talkins with this statue.

A wonderful park is just around the corner from my mother in laws home and the kids went there in awwwh of the tire swing, HUGE rocket slide that even I was afraid to climb and the stationary tractor for kids to enjoy.  Grandpa loved to push Ava in the swing while Jaxon climbed to the top of the rocket yelling at me to look at him.  The boys would run up this enormous creation just to take the scary steep slide down.  I went to the top holding on and started to sweat.  I am afraid of heights and this was not the answer.  I held on for dear life and slid down the long ramp to safety.

The boys and grand kids wanted to go out to great grandpa's shop to see the Semi truck, HUGE tractor and fertilizer sprayer.  When Terry started up this tractor it roared.  The boys ran to get in.  It was like clowns getting into a VW bug.  There was not much room move around.  Even Ava had to get in on the action.

It was time for the grandkids to start climbing.  Jaxon and Colin could not climb fast enough on the fertilzer sprayer.  They would run back and forth from the Semi truck to the fertilizer sprayer.  Ava so wanted to join in but her legs just could not reach.  Instead she decided to sit in the scoop.

Colin was grinning from ear to ear looking down on everthing.

By the time we left they were so dirty that I went through all my wipes.  How they love to play and get really dirty.

It was time to head home and remember the wonderful time we had in Burlington, CO. with family and friends.  Dan you will always be missed and loved by many.

Family fun at Lake Powell 2009

Trying to get everything ready is a chore for only 1 week at Lake Powell. We look forward to this every year and start counting the days starting in February's it seems. The grand kids asking how many more days until Lake Powell trip.  Terry had this trailer built to hold our boat and 2 wave runners.  It is one massive mother.  It does work well and trailer very well I must say.

As we arrive at Antelope Point Marina we have to dock our speed boat and our 2 wave runners as we prepare to head out.   There is always a ton to do and check lists to go over before our pilot arrives to take us out of our slip.

We wait patiently for Safeway to come to deliver our food. When they arrive we have quite a surprise. We now have enough food to feed the entire town of Paige AZ. Apprently when I placed my order on line I did not delete the orders so I had 3 orders making for 32 lbs of lunch meat, 34 bags of chips, candy in the JUMBO size, vegtables and meat a king would be fit to eat. All the kids were laughing as I just looked amazed at what happened. How could this be right???  At least we will not starve if we are stranded on our little Island.

This was frig number 1

This was frig number 2

As you can see this is what was left AFTER our week on the boat so you can image my horror when the load came off the large cart delivered from Safeway. They were happy campers on having to haul this all down. They made a boat load of money on me.



The next day we radio in to have a pilot take us to open waters to find out they only have 3 staffed.  WTH is that all about.  We wait and wait and wait until I finally see a dock boy and ask him what is going on.  He went and found a pilot and off we went to open waters.  I run the pilot back to dock and head back out to the houseboat so we can tye the boat up to the houseboat and toe it.

As our journey begins the boys start pumping up all the toys we have. The grandkids can hardly wait until we are there.

After much needed rest I grab a camera and start clicking away.  As you will see I am not in any photos because I am always the picture taking.  Smart thinking!!

Terry and the boys always are laughing and talking as we make our way to Friendship Cove.

Maps are pulled out and everyone has an opinion as to where we currently are.

Finally there it takes about 2 hours to set the anchors and tye the houseboat down in case of storms. The kids have nicknamed Terry "Anchor Man" since he secures everything down that even a hurricane will not move us.

Alex gets a little fishing in with Jaxon, but wait, Jaxon don't catch me.

I always have craft time withe the grand kids but my daughter in laws usually love this time to color with the kids. I think they like it better than my grand kids do.  I just love them to pieces.

The days are full of laughs. Ava is trying to suck Grandpa Terry's skin. When it makes a noise she giggles like crazy. I just wish she could suck the fat out of grandma.

Ava and Jaxon are busy pulling each other across the upper deck floor.  Rug burns for sure.

Jaxon and Colin had so much fun with the inflatable animals. Trying to ride them was another story.

Even Terry got in the the fun trying to ride Shamoo the Killer Whale. Looks like he is breeding it instead.

Finally success they made it on the animals.

It is now time for the large tube to come out.  Clay insisted on getting this assuring me this was safer than our last tube.  Of course the little ones did not go but you can see just how many people it will hold.

And they are off.  See who makes it back in one piece

When the boat came back Alex, Brandon and Sharon were in the boat while Clay and Kelly were the last standing alone on the tube.  A little sore and brused.

There is always time for jet skiing.  The kids and grandkids could stay out all day on these.  They always want to ride.  We let them drive with us so they love to take the throttle and take off at warp speed.  We have to keep our hand under the throttle so we don't get thrown off.

Grandpa loves spending time here especially with the family. 

Water fights are always fun except for getting sand down your pants.

Even sneak attacks are allowed

As the water fight takes place our grecious Jaxon is off bug hunting.  He looks forward to always finding something bigger and better.

Clay is coaching Rachael on the knee board.  The water is so smooth here that everyone can get the hang of it sooner or later

Everyone gets into the action even our own little Colin. First time up and as he says "Grandma I am pretty talented on this board."  That you are.

Sharon first time up and loving it.

Terry behind all this spray.

Kelly looking pretty darn good.  What form woman!!!

Alex first time up and flying high.  Got some air under you now.

Brandon out on the ride.  Go ahead and touch the water I dare you!

Clay up and ready to launch off the wave.

My handsome hubster showing his stuff.

Rachael up and off.

Clay just taking in the weather.  Smart tatoo if I say so myself.  The whole tatoo is a koi fish that goes down across to his shoulder blade.  Beautiful workmanship.

Fishing is always a hit.  Last year Grandpa forgot to take the fishing poles for the grandkids and they were not very happy.  Rest assured we got them this year

Alex has always loved fishing and spends hours catching the largest fish I have ever seen.  Best time to fish is DUSK....

There is always time for some R & R and sun. 

Grandma even gets a rest to enjoy the warmth.

As the week winds down half of the family has to leave.  It is a bitter sweet as now our little grand kids are leaving and the house boat becomes way to quit.

Until next year Lake Powell.  We will be back for all your beauty and family fun.