Ann loved being at the beach. One of her favorite things to do, was strolling the beach front and watching the waves roll in  We planned a great beach vacation a few months before she passed away. I am so grateful for that time with her. We spent our days at 3 different beaches; Laguna, Treasure and Newport. Ocean waves, sandy beaches and plenty of Vitamin D sunshine 🌞.  We stayed up late and watched sunsets and got up at sunrise (most days 😉). 

We fine dined on salmon and rich desserts, ate fresh baked Margherita pizza on the beach, enjoyed juicy mango and pineapple from a guy selling at Newport beach. Visited a delicious donut shop, shopped for souvenirs and even had a few cocktails. We strolled the beautiful city of Laguna and waited in line at a very popular brunch cafe with the best french toast and lattas 😋     The road trip from Utah to Cali and back, was a nonstop adventure! Numerous pit stops with filthy bathrooms, Alien land, Death Valley winds and DQ, the largest candy shop in the US, insane California drivers and bratty sibling fights.

An impromptu trip to LA and Universal Studios was so much fun, so many memories just from that day with her. My mom kept up with her 4 kids and never complained about all the driving and walking. She enjoyed and loved EVERY MINUTE of it. And she loved being with her children and exploring new things. She loved the crazy The Mummy ride, super intense and fast. She stood in line to ride Jurassic Park for over 2 hours. We transported to the Wizarding world of  Harry Potter; chocolate frogs, frosty butter beer, the intense Hogwarts VR ride. She soaked it all in and lived in the moment! I am incredibly grateful for those memories I shared with her ❤️.  She is a great example of how to live life as it comes and to be joyful and happy about all of it. Rest in peace my mom. Love you always and forever 🥰💖😘

Ann, I never thought I would be writing this for you.  When we were kids, we always looked out for each other.  You were kind and loving and included me even when your friends came over to our house.   You made us matching dresses  that you cross stitch embroidered on.  You  made me a beautiful flower girl gown.  We took piano lessons together every week and  enjoyed and hated them  together.  The love hate relationship you sometimes have with a musical instrument when you’re a kid.  You were always calm at piano recitals and I was a nervous wreck.  When we were kids,  you were only mean to me one time that I can ever remember because I wouldn’t cross the street when the car I could see coming was, probably, 2 miles away.  You had to give me a shove into the street to get me started, but when it ended up  hurting me, it hurt you worse.  In fact, it  broke your heart.   I will never forget our good times on the softball teams.  Also, our, not so good time on the Farmington Ladies Softball League where we were a 2-woman team because our teammates were lame. Of course, our most memorable game was  when we were honored to play those nice young ladies from Job Corp😉.  I mean, we survived that , still having all our hair and teeth intact which was a huge accomplishment considering our opponents.  Every time I groom a dog or adopt a new dog, I think about you and how you could nurse any animal back to health.  I remember how we had all kinds of different animals and mom helped us care for them .  You had no problem begging mom to let you, please, pick up the blow snake all coiled up on the neighbor’s lawn.   I have fond memories of us swimming out to the London Bridge in Havasu.   It was so awesome.  We were good swimmers, and at our best, when we swam together.  You were cool as a cucumber with the pet grooming.  You could groom any animal without being taken down.   Good on you, Ann.  I know you’re helping to care for all the animals in heaven.  Sleep well.  With love, your little sister, Cora Le 

What a beautiful 'gift' I had of the pleasure of having such a sweet friend in my life. She was always so kind to others, very soft spoken, and extremely patient. She went through some great 'trials' (life gives to all of us) with such grace and a wonderful attitude to 'continue on; she was an amazing example to all who knew and loved her. She's left behind some WONDERFULLY AMAZING children whom she loved and nurtured and laughed a lot at their little shenanigans. I will forever be grateful for the love and friendship she always showed to me and my two daughter's, who grew up with two of her daughter's. She will be forever thought of and missed. My heart, my prayers and my love are with your beautiful children at this difficult time. Love to all....

~Dawna Smith💞