A Tribute to Steve

My heart is breaking over the loss of a great man, and exceptional father and a true friend. He, along with his sweet family, has been one of the most profound influences in my life.

I don’t recall another person building me up the way Steve did. At a very vulnerable time in my life he made me believe in myself. He built up my self esteem in a way that no one else could. He really taught me to see the good in myself and love me for whom I am. He taught me this partly because he always saw the good in me and did love me for who I was.

He was a natural leader. His genuine love for others and life was contagious. He drew people in with his sense of humor. His dedication to church and family was evident in his daily tasks and most of his time was spent serving both. His family meant everything to him.

I feel humbled and thankful to have known this great person. I appreciate the impact his life has had on mine. I will miss him dearly!

There aren't too many days you can find all of the Browns in one place for very long, but Christmas is one of them. This is my very favorite day with the Browns. I have spent at least part of Christmas with the Brown's for the past 12 years. For the past 4, it has become an all day event. Cindy will make a huge breakfast. The rest of the day is spent watching movies, playing Micheal's new video games, and just have a fun time together. Jon always handles all of the new technical gadgets and then gets his boy fix by playing with Ben and Michael's toys. Madi and Tyli get spoiled with attention. I get my Brown fix and love every minute I'm there.


Steve's Obituary
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Stephen Wayne Brown
Stephen Wayne Brown 7/15/1958 ~ 8/25/2008 Stephen Wayne Brown, beloved husband, father, brother and son passed away suddenly Monday, August 25, 2008 of a heart attack at home. Steve was the first child born to Janet Pehrson and Wayne C. Brown in Salt Lake City, Utah.He was an active and faithful member of the LDS Church in which he served in many capacities. He served as a faithful missionary in the Anchorage, Alaska mission, was a bishop in the Mueller Park 5th Ward, and was currently serving as a member of the Bishopric of the University 13th Singles Ward. His energy and testimony blessed the lives of many, but particularly the youth he served. Steve graduated from the Olympus High class of '76 and later the University of Utah with a BS in communications. He was also a member of the Crimson Club. He was a partner at the Summit Group since 1986, President of the firm, and instrumental in the firm's growth to the largest locally owned communications firm in the state of Utah. He had a great sense of honesty and gave the truth whether you liked it or not. Many people came to work at the Summit Group because of their interactions with Steve. His personality was instrumental in the companies' growth. He was married for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple to Cindy Fagg on June 20, 1986. Steve loved hunting, fishing, camping and the "Runnin' Utes." But his greatest accomplishment and love was his wife and children, whom he served with all his heart. The most enjoyable part of his life was spent attending his kids games, concerts, and recitals. He was their coach, cheerleader and friend. He is survived by his parents, Janet and Wayne Brown; his wife, Cindy who he loved dearly and his children: Meagan, Sarah, Katelyn, Michael, Elizabeth and Benjamin; also his siblings, Jeffery (Chantal) Brown, Michelle (Joe) Hanna, Jennifer (Scott) Brown, Leslie (Brian) Paul; father and mother-in-law, Don and Lavell Fagg; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Preceded in death by grandparents, Paul E. and Ruth Pehrson, Emeral and Clara Brown. Funeral services will be held at 12 noon, Fri., August 29, 2008 at the Mueller Park Stake Center, 1800 E. Mueller Park Road (1800 South), Bountiful. Friends and family may call Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Russon Brothers Bountiful Mortuary, 295 N. Main and Fri. morning 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment-Salt Lake City Cemetery. Online guestbook at www.russonmortuary.com

Bear Lake

I love watched Jon revert to his 14 year old frame of mind. That is exactly what happens every year when we visit bear lake with his Rodeback cousins and their families. Luckily the kids and I have a great time too, otherwise I'd go crazy. Jon and his cousins played Frisbee and football on the beach. They played with Mike's super fast remote control car. They went riding on the longboards. They finished the day with a badminton contest. Not a lot has changed since they were fourteen. I think they are all pretty much the same activities minus scoping out the girls with binoculars. They would probably still do that if someone remembered to bring binoculars.

This year Jon's parents went with us. We all rode together in the van. We loved going with them. It was fun to experience this with them as Jon's family went together to Bear Lake for years and somehow the tradition has dwindled on our side of the family. The Rodebacks continue to go each year and we try to make it for some of the time. They got to talk about all of their memories as we were driving. I enjoyed listening to all of the stories.

Madi and Tyli loved the beach! They ran played in the sand and water all day. Tyli loved the birds and I had to chase her clear down the beach several times. She just wanted to catch the seagulls. Madi gets in her own world in these places. She creates and builds and plays. She especially loved burying "little Chase" in the sand.

We had a perfect day! Perfect weather, perfect family, perfect fun!

Team Mom/Dad vs. Team Madi/Tyli

One night last week Jon, Madi, Tyli and I were hanging out. It was getting late and we were just chillin' before bed. Madi had gotten new paints that day and was begging us to let her paint. Jon and I were sitting next to each other on the couch. Madi asks Jon, "Daddy can I paint?" He told her no, it was too late. Then even though I am sitting right next to him and heard the whole conversation, she comes to me and asks, "Mommy, can I paint?" I then proceed to explain that Daddy and Mommy are a team. If one of us says no then the other person is going to say no too. We work together and then we reached over and gave each other a high five. Madi starts whining and replies, "Well then I get Tyli on my team!"


Advantage Jodi/Jon for now, but what about when they are 16?

Pictures, Pictures and more Pictures

While Amy was here we went a little picture crazy. Here is some of our fun.

Down Time with the Lopez Clan

Not every moment of Amy's trip was full of exciting events. In fact, some of my favorite moments were the moments in between. I loved when Amy arrived and Carver and Madi were too shy to talk. I thought it was so cute how Tyli and Cooper were together. Sometimes they were so sweet and totally loved each other. The next minute Cooper would be hitting Tyli and she would be screaming at the top of her lungs if he even took a step in her direction. (Literally!

I love the moment when all of Amy's family and mine were snuggled up to watch a movie in my family room. I remember being so grateful for such a wonderful family and feeling so blessed that they got to be visiting us. Then Jon treated us to his yummy CP. I didn't realize before how much Jon and I speak in code.(like CP, which means "caramel popcorn") when talking in front of the girls. Kenna thought we were so weird.

I loved the late nights of talking with Amy. We never seem to run out of things to say. I especially loved taking Amy on some "hill" bike rides. Even though they don't have hills if Florida, she whooped me. I will also never forget how we snuck into Wendy's house and stole the bike pump. (We confessed later.) We really felt like sneaky thieves. It was so funny! Or when I gave her the baby monitor and told her she had to hurry and plug it in our it would wake up Tyli. I guess I said it with a hint of panic because she gave me a look of terror and took off running. Even now it makes me laugh.

I loved how cute Parker and Carver were with Madi. They really included her. Parker even told me that Madi and Carver were his "best cousins." This was the first summer she was a part of the "big kid" group. Sad for me, fun for her.

Madi's sleepovers with Carver were so much fun for her. They can be so cute together. They had fun playing at the park, painting, making glow balls, reading books together, playing video games, and playing imaginary games in the backyard. (Madi's weapon was shooting pink out of her eye.) Even though they are a couple years a part in age, they just have a special friendship. Lucky cousins!

It really was a special bonding time and we treasure all of these special memories. We love all of our Fulks Family and treasure all of these moments together.

Canyon Cookout

We had a family cookout up the canyon. We have been wanting to do this for years and finally made it! It was a hip hoppin' night. (As you can see from the video.) We had a great time roasting dogs, marshmellows and even cinamon bears. (Amy and I have taken our addiction to a new level.) The kids played in the river and hiked around. It was really fun and well worth all of the work it was for one fun night.

Slip N Slide

We had a hang out day at my house. Wendy did hair, Donna came to visit, Amy worked on her jewelry, I made lunch, Lexi and Dylan graced us with their presence :) and the kids played. It was a little crazy, but we had a great time. Sometimes you can have the most fun when you're not really doing anything at all. I love those days!