Till We Meet Again

We had a very nice funeral for my Grandma. It's still hard to believe that she is really gone. I always thought she would be a permanent fixture in my life...she still is, but in a different way I guess.

It was a very emotional couple of days, but also really good too.
There was a formal viewing Sunday night at the mortuary. All of the granddaughters and great-granddaughters were given a chance to choose one of grandma's many handkerchiefs to keep. She had so many of them, I'm glad that Grace, Anna and I each get to have one.

It was nice to see so many cousins and family members that I haven't seen in a while. There was a huge turnout, which doesn't surprise me at all...my Grandma touched so many lives for good!

Monday morning was the funeral in Marriott. I was really nervous because I'd been asked to sing. I had practiced the song on my own, but hadn't had an accompanist until this morning and then that wasn't going so well and I was really worried...but then Carol Thomas became my hero and stepped in and played for me. She is simply amazing that she could do that. I wouldn't have been able to get through it without her. But, I did get through it and my prayers were answered and I didn't even lose control of my emotions. I just had to make sure and not look at my mom and dad, or any of my aunts and uncles, or my siblings for that matter. I'm so thankful that I had that opportunity to sing. I love my grandma so much and I'm glad that I could pay special tribute to her through song.

Anyway, after the services we had a luncheon and took a bunch of pictures. Sadly, I don't know if we will have that many family members together ever again. The guy from the mortuary mentioned that we set a record at the funeral for the number of rows they had to rope off for family.

We got some group shots of each of the different families, all of my grandma's children are still living, except one who passed away as a baby.
Our family group shot, I think we are only missing Shell's kids and Jan's husband, Dale.

My family. I love these people so much!

Yep...we are crazy, I think my grandma would smile, she loved our silliness!

That evening we spent some time at the hotel together.

Unfortunately Jan had several seizures, and that was really emotional for all of us. I hate that she has to go through so much! Mike and I went and had treats at The Cheesecake Factory with most of my siblings.

We had a great time and shared some much needed laughter. On the way back to the hotel, I got pulled over for having expired plates...ha ha! Oh boy, that was great since I was driving all my siblings in the Suburban. One more thing we have to take care of.

Anyway, the next day I went and got massages with my mom, my Aunt Georgia, Marcy and Shannon and Shell and Jan. I'm not usually one for massages, but I liked this one. I think we all needed them, especially Jan and my mom. Then we headed to the cemetery for the graveside service. It was short and very sweet. Had last chance to talk to family and take some more pictures and say a last farewell to grandma.

So, like I said, it was an emotional couple of days, but also a celebration of family, love and of one of the most amazing women I'll ever know. I'm so thankful for my knowledge of the gospel and that I know that families are forever.

I love this picture of my grandma with my kids.

She wasn't afraid to participate in a silly face picture :)

My Grandma turns 98!

One thing I'm very thankful for about living here in Utah, is that we are close to family...
I'm pretty sure I've mentioned that before.
I'm especially grateful to be able to be around my sweet Grandma.
She is my only living grandparent, and has been for many many years.

She has started to slow down over the past few years,
but she still has a goal to reach 100 years old...I think she might :)

I'm very glad that my kids are able to get to know her better, and create more memories with her.

Great Grandma

A few days after arriving in Utah

we made a visit to see my grandma.

 She is such a wonderful amazing lady!

Great Grandma

My Grandma recently came out for a visit. The last time we saw her was over 3 years ago. I am so glad that she came, and she was very patient with all the photo requests!

She and my Uncle Jimmy and my Mom and Dad were all staying at Bob and Dresden's house, so we went up Friday and spent some time with them.

She is 96 years old, well she will tell you she is 96 and 1/2 :)

She is sweet and wonderful and even though she is slowing down (she is 96 1/2 after all) she seemed to really enjoy being around all the kids.

The girls

The boys

Four generations

My cousin Eric and his wife and kids were able to come from Virginia to spend some time with Grandma too.

 Aric, me and Bob with Grandma 

Aric and Missy and thier kids with Grandma

Saturday night we went back for Micah's baptism, dinner and more visiting.

While she was here we were able to make a trip to the D.C. temple. What a sweet experience that was. We did a sealing session and it was just wonderful. We were there with my Grandma, my Mom and Dad, my Brother Bob and his wife Dresden, and Dresden's mom Carol. Uncle Jim stayed behind and helped Noah and Jonas watch all the kids. That night all the grown-ups went out to dinner together and had a great time.

Some random shots from our fun.
Noah with Great Grandma

Grace, Leslie and Anna

Silly girls!

3 Yodas

We thought it was pretty funny when we got to Bob's and saw that Killian, Dallin and Isaac were all wearing the same shirt...

What are the chances of that happening!

 Loved this shot of Great Grandma and Evelyn

 Me with Ironman...sticking his tongue out, ha ha!

 Aric and Bob are both Doctors, so they were joking that together they are a paradox...or is it a paradocs :)

 Grandpa with Noah

Teenagers

 smile and wave boys...smile and wave

 Noah, Jonas, Jayden and Dallin...Dallin cracked me up in this picture trying to make himself look taller.

We had a great weekend together!

I love family :)