Valeska Sannes Black 5/12/1919 ~ 6/11/2009 "Val" Valeska Sannes Black passed away on Thursday, June 11, 2009 shortly after celebrating her 90th birthday.She was born in Vernal, Utah to Joseph Sannes and Lora Snow Sannes. She had one sister, Elsie. She is survived by four children, Sandra Hoggan (Richard), Joseph Black (Somjit), Janene Bellock (Skip), and Alesia Black, and close friend, Paul Grace; 17 grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren. Val graduated from Uintah High in Vernal as valedictorian. She attended Utah State University where she met her future husband, Parley Dean Black. She subsequently moved to California with her father and graduated from Los Angeles College of Chiropractic. During this period she obtained her pilot's license and flew for the Ferry Command during World War II. Dean followed her to California and also became a Chiropractic Physician and obtained his pilot's license. They married on Valentine's Day, 1945. She worked with him in his practice and they spent many happy hours flying planes, camping, boating, and snowmobiling with their four children. She was a competent skier, water-skier and swimmer and enjoyed designing and sewing clothing, playing the piano, and reading. With all of her accomplishments, she remained humble, open minded and deeply caring for her family friends and community. Val was the consummate mother; full of fun and wit. She exhibited kindness, caring, and respect for all living things. People and animals gravitated to her as a safe haven where their needs would be met. She expected nothing, took nothing for granted, and felt gratitude and appreciation for everything. Hers was a well-lived life. The love we have for her is measured in the great loss we feel at her absence. The family acknowledges and thanks Paul Grace for his love, attentiveness, humor, and enhancement of the quality of life in Val's later years. Although Val loved flowers, the family feels her desires would be better met by donations in lieu of flowers to any animal rescue service or The Humane Society. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 S. 2300 E., where friends and family may visit Monday evening from 6 - 8 p.m. and Tuesday morning from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Interment: Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. Online condolences to the family may be sent at: www.holbrookmortuary.com
Ian taking a nap on the plaza
Gavin, Julien and Dane "helping" Ian in the Big Wheel Race.
Ian got a cool new Harley Davidson BIG wheel from Gma Janene and Gpa Skip. This is definately a kid favorite too!
Dane decorated Ian's birthday cake and birthday poster (in the first picture). He was so proud of himself. I did help with the writing. I promise it tasted better than it looks. And I should know because I single-handedly ate 3/4 of that cake myself! I have no willpower when it comes to cake. 
Dane and Mommy after the recital
Dane playing a duet with Rebecca
Dane and I have been taking piano lessons for the last few months. Dane has done really well and seems to really enjoy the piano but sometimes getting him to practice is tough. He is motivated by money so for each really good practice he gets one quarter and for each really good lesson he gets two quarters. And by "good" I mean he has to sit, listen and practice without whining. He does a pretty good job, most of the time. Rebecca is really good at harnessing his energy by doing a little work on the piano and then fun exercises with other instruments and coloring. I took piano lessons for 9 years and begged my mom to let me quit when I was a senior in high school. I have regretted that decision every since. I really enjoy playing and find it a great mental release to sit down and practice each day. I prepared and played a piece for the recital but got so nervous that I made quite a few mistakes. Dane did awesome. We played a duet together with no mistakes. I was so proud of him.
