Memories

Since Aaron’s death I’ve been thinking a lot about memories. Memories of him. Memories of me. Memories of my other siblings. I realized that I don’t remember a lot about Aaron. He was 4 years older than me- so we never really played together (Unless he was picking on me in some cruel way) and by the time we were older and could have been close… I was bitter, judgmental and we were “estranged.” But I loved him- oh so much.

Here are some things I do remember.

I remember sitting upstairs in Mom and Dad’s peach room on the water bed with Michael on one side of Aaron and me on the other (I was probably 4-5 yrs old). He was ‘reading us’ a Where’s Waldo (actually I think it was Where’s Nephi). I think Mom and Dad were downstairs ‘reprimanding’ a troubled teen (1 guess who that was), when all of a sudden our fire alarms went off. We were mortified; we thought we were going to die. Aaron was calm, told us to stay calm and stay there. He ran downstairs to find out what was wrong and then quickly came back.

“The fireplace was broken and caught the roof on fire- Dad was fixing it- don’t worry.” He then sat back down and continued to read to us. He was the calm in that potentially scary time. He took care of us when no one else was there!

When I was in 2nd grade I got mono and missed about 2 months of school. I missed the eyeball section of science and therefore missed getting to dissect a cows eye- something I had been looking forward to since Aaron got to do it four years earlier. I was SUPER bummed. I remember Aaron sitting with me on the couch in the family room and helping me with my eyeball homework and then describing to me a cows eye and how cool it is to dissect an eyeball. He told me all about it, so that I wouldn’t feel like I was missing anything.

Aaron used to have pet lizards (when he was in elementary school), geckos to be exact. He could let them crawl all over his body- on his shoulder, face, neck, arms, ect. They would get loose in his messy room and we wouldn’t be able to find them (those things are small) and then we would find them in the weirdest places. Once we lost one… permanently and then later found the smelly carcass.

More later…Dad’s harassing me to go get tacos!

Aaron Lawrence Stones

My big brother passed away. This is his obituary:

Aaron Lawrence Stones, our kind, loving, gentle and wonderful son, brother, uncle and friend died Monday in his home in Denver . He was 28.

Aaron was born in Prescott , Arizona to Larry and Margaret (Baker) Stones. He was a happy and precocious child. He loved He-Man and wearing capes of all colors.

His family settled in Longmont when he was six. He attended Niwot High School where he excelled in drama and was known for his delightful sense of humor. He received his Eagle Scout award and his Duty to God award. He also graduated from LDS Seminary with four years of perfect attendance.

Aaron always loved music and played the guitar, banjo and kazoo. He was a talented artist and enjoyed painting and drawing whenever he could.

In 2007 he married Kiyoka Tamasue. They lived happily in Denver with their dogs, Petri Dish and Charlotte.
He loved all animals and found great happiness working with them.

He found a second family in his close circle of friends, who will miss his quick wit and tender ways.

Aaron was loved by his family and was adored by his nieces and nephews. Lovingly referred to as “Uncle Geek”, he spent hours coloring with crayons, building sand castles, chasing balls, stacking blocks and toting small children around on his shoulders.

Aaron will be deeply missed by his parents and five brothers and sisters
Andrea Dawson (Ben), San Clemente CA.
Mathew Stones (Andrea), Aurora
Erica Lundgreen (Richard), Aurora
Breanne Newson (Ben), Lafayette
Michael Stones (Taylor ), Longmont
As well as his 9 nieces and nephews

Funeral services were held Monday, July 5, 2010 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 11th Ave. Bldg., Longmont, CO. at 2:00 PM

New Family Reunion- 2010

The entire Newson Family came out for a fun filled week of REUNION!! It was so wonderful seeing everyone and being able to make new memories. The kids are all getting so big and so there were all new things to do. We spent our nights playing t-ball, soccer or catch in the backyard or roasting marshmallows by the fire pit. After the kids went to bed the adults (and teens) spent hours roaring with laughter or playing games and reminiscing. The days were spent at parks, playing legos, canoeing, hiking, swimming or lounging inside (away from the hot sun). We had a special fiesta with games, dance, music, food and a surprise thunder and lightening storm. We had a talent show, sing-a long parties and a Newson Family Olympics. And we can’t forget to give a shout out to the food- cooking for 25 people and it was still DELICOUS. In all it was so great seeing everyone and such a fun week. Thanks everyone for coming. We love you!

The Entire Newson Family- 2010

Taking the younger kids on a scavenger hunt for fiesta treasure!

Ben passed out from all the good fiesta food.

The Newson Men racing for the gold at the Family Olympics! Yes- they were sore!

Dunes Days 2010

Ben went with about 21 Young Men from our Ward on a High Adventure to the Southern Colorado Sand Dunes. They hikes, camped, snowboarded down the dunes, toured through a ghost town, went to a gator farm, swam in a mountain lake and had a week of pure manliness. Ben had a ton of fun with the boys and really enjoyed it!

Ben hanging out with some of the leaders in the ghost town.

Beautiful view!

Picture at the Summit