Bishop Sannar

I'm sure most of you have already heard this story, but for those of you who have not, here it is from the Fresno Bee. Let's remember his wife and kids in our prayers.

Clay Sannar, 42, a bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Visalia, was fatally shot at a church at Tulare Avenue and Conyer Street on Sunday. Sannar was married, the father of six boys, and the owner of an agricultural services company in Visalia. - -

By Lewis Griswold and Eddie Jimenez / The Fresno Bee
VISALIA -- The Modesto man accused of gunning down a church leader Sunday had a history of mental illness and often expressed hatred toward the Mormon church, court documents and interviews show.
Kenneth James Ward, 47, came to the attention of Modesto police several times from 1998 to 2004. On one occasion he threatened to kill a Mormon bishop, the city's police chief and police officers, according to court records.

Family members on Monday described those episodes as exceptions. Mike Ward, 44, of Bakersfield said his brother was "a lovable guy" who was not violent -- as long as he kept taking the medications that controlled his mental illness.

"He did not do this. My brother's mental illness did this," Mike Ward said. "We mourn for two families today."

But Kenneth Ward's anger with the church was well known. His father, George Ward, said his elder son was "definitely anti-Mormon, and yet he was raised in it. I don't understand how that happened."

Kenneth Ward was excommunicated from the church in the 1980s but later regained his church membership, Mike Ward said. He declined to provide more information. At the time, the family lived in a central Visalia neighborhood and attended The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Visalia Second Ward on Tulare Avenue. Kenneth Ward later moved to Modesto.

He joined the Army, serving in Operation Desert Storm, and then received an early discharge after he re-enlisted, his father said. Ward, who had worked as a crane operator, was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder and went on disability, George Ward said.

His mother, Nancy, who is no longer living, reported to Modesto police in 2002 that her son was psychotic and was threatening to kill people, court documents show.

Court records also show that Kenneth Ward attempted suicide on one occasion and threatened to kill himself on another.

Even though Mike Ward said his brother sought to have his church membership reinstated, police records show he asked to be dropped from church membership in 2004. The records show he threatened to kill a Mormon bishop in Modesto, as well as the city's police chief -- also a Mormon -- and police officers when the bishop did not quickly carry out his wishes.

Kenneth Ward was arrested, pleaded no contest to a felony and was given probation.

Mike Ward said that when his brother went off his medications, he would go through "episodes," expressing anger toward the Mormon church.

Kenneth Ward had not suffered physical or sexual abuse or other incidents that might have explained the anger, his brother said.

Family members said Monday there was nothing to indicate that Kenneth Ward had homicide on his mind when he drove south from Modesto early Sunday.

Kenneth Ward left the home he shared with his father, his wife and their 6-year-old son, saying he was going fishing with a friend, George Ward said. But the friend told George Ward later that day he knew nothing about a fishing trip.

Kenneth Ward's destination was the church in Visalia that he had attended as a young man. Inside, he asked for the church's leader and entered the office of lay bishop Clay Sannar, a married father of six boys ages three months to 14 years.

Whether Ward intended to seek out Sannar, who was named the bishop of the Visalia Second Ward only four months ago, is a question that may never be answered.

Visalia Police Chief Colleen Mestas said there is no indication that the two knew each other.

Mestas said Sannar tried to prevent the shooter from harming anyone else. Sannar "yelled for everyone to get out of the building," she said Monday. "He really did act with heroism."

After shooting Sannar, Ward drove to a pay phone and called police to say he had shot the bishop and that they could find him in the nearby central Visalia neighborhood where his family had once lived.

When officers arrived, Ward stood in the intersection of Burrel Avenue and Divisadero Street and started shooting. He hit a police car before he was brought down by gunfire.

Monday, as Visalia police tried to piece together a motive, Mike Ward knocked on doors in the neighborhood where his brother was shot, apologizing to residents.

One woman said she tried to comfort Mike Ward on Monday.

Jovita Harrah's 2003 Chevrolet Silverado truck was among at least three neighborhood vehicles struck by bullets during the shootout between Kenneth Ward and police.

Harrah said Ward did not need to apologize for his brother's actions. "Like I told him, 'My truck can be fixed, but you can't get your brother back.' "

Church officials know that two families are grieving their losses from Sunday's shootings, said Ralph Jordan, a church spokesman and leader.

"We are doing all we can to support the Sannar family in their loss. We appreciate the interest and condolences of our local faith community," Jordan said Monday in an e-mail. "We know there must be broken hearts and great sadness in the family of the other man. Our hearts go out to them as well."

6 years ago today.....

This happened...









Such an amazing day, I couldn't have asked for anything better! These last 6 years have been tough, but also so exciting, fun, hectic, crazy and enjoyable....

I got this amazing gift 2 years ago from this event...



And this precious gift just 6 months ago


Thanks Trent for all you have done for me. I love you! Happy 6th Anniversary!

Western Idaho Fair

Today we took the kids to the Western Idaho Fair. It was so nice! I am used to Fresno, where it is dirty and a lot of trashy, gangsta people. It was so nice to be in a clean fair, where we did NOT have to be patted down and go through a metal detector. The weather was perfect and it was a lot of fun. Trent started classes again today at BSU and didn't join us until the afternoon.


We started off at the pig races, a must at the fair!


Than had to stop by the petting zoo....Bailey was in Heaven! She loved petting and feeding all the animals. After about a half hour, we had to drag her away!


Then to the pony rides


Yes, daddy is having a blast!



And finally ending with a choo choo train ride....she had to go on it twice!




And brother Nick was also there, but he was either sleeping, or strapped onto mommy all day! Fun day at the fair!

Discovery Center

The Discovery Center in Boise is free every Friday until Nov, so we headed out on Friday to see what they have. Bailey has a best friend in the ward (Abi) and her mom called and invited us to go. It was so much fun. The girls had a great time, and it was nice to be able to go somewhere and NOT have to say "Don't touch" It was all kid friendly so B had a great time touching EVERYTHING!

Abi is strong pulling them both up!


watching all the fun things!


A GIANT Bubble blowing device!


The Green screen


Getting ready to be on TV


TA DA! The two movie stars...well ...at least their heads!


Daddy was having just as much fun as the kids!

Bailey and the dentist

Last week Bailey had been complaining that her teeth hurt...so I made a dentist appt. She is only 2 1/2 but it said on the pediatric dentist's website that it is suggested to go about 6 months after their first tooth comes in. I think that may be a little early, but since she was hurting I took her in. Luckily, it was just a canker sore... but she did really well anyways. She got 2 xrays , and had a check up with a cleaning and floride... Yay. The dentist was very proud of her and said that most 2 year olds would not let them do very much! Good Job B!

It was also the coolest dental office I had been. It was DENTAL CARE FOR KIDS and was so kid friendly. They had a huge pirate ship and fort on the waiting room, along with TV's in every room and on the ceilings in the exam room. Bailey was so scared and nervous about going, but their environment was so kid friendly that she enjoyed it and said, Mommy, I want to go to the dentist again! YEAY! That's what I want to hear!

I am so sad that I didn't have my camera with me...so no pics

mini reunion

This last week has been super busy and packed full of fun. My grandma Parsons and Aunt Pam came from San Luis Obispo, CA to visit(Grandpa wouldn't leave the ranch during fire season...and funny enough, there was a fire about 2 hours after grandma left...so Grandpa helped get it out with his fire truck!!! funny grandpa!). Then a few days later, my uncle Gary came from Michigan(who we haven't seen in about 10 years) then Aunt Brenda and cousin Ariel came from Utah. The house was packed full, but we had lots of fun playing games, having picnics, going shopping and visiting the nature center in Boise. Here are a few pics from the week.

My aunt Brenda, mom, grandma, aunt Pam and Uncle Gary

My brother Matt


My parents and baby Nick


Our four generation shot- my mom and grandma


Family picture at the Nature Center- Nick was in the stroller sleeping


Daddy and daughter


Bailey trying to scratch her mosquito bite at the Veterans Memorial Park in Boise


My mom and her mom...We love Grandma!



Nick makes the funniest faces...he wanted more food, so this is what he does! It makes me laugh every time I see him do it!Goofy Nick!



I'm glad that everybody could get together...we had a good time!!!

Monkey Dooz

Some of you may know that Bailey has crazy hair. It is completely straight on the sides, but the back is tight curls. When she wakes up in the morning, she always has a huge snarly mess in the back. Well, after her bath last night, it took me a good 15 minutes to get the tangles out and of course Bailey was crying saying that it hurt....so I say, "well, if you want we can cut your hair!" She then replied "I want my hair cut" So this morning I made an appt at a place called Monkey Dooz, a salon for kids. Since it was going to be more than a trim, I decided that I needed a professional to help. It was so much fun...and not to pricey...they have toddler Tuesday where cuts are only $10. Here are a few pics of the fun! Plus Bailey's Great Grandma Parsons and Auntie Pam were here visiting, so she had lots of people with her!


Before





Sitting in a cool Jeep




Her cute curls!



After



The Awesome waiting room...I loved it more than she did!


The salon...including a dress up room in the back(See all the fun dresses?)


The nail painting center


So much fun, and thanks to Great Grandma Parsons who paid for the "First Haircut Special" with a few extras!