It's Too Hard to Catch Up

Ok.  Since it's been almost a year since I last blogged, I think I'll do a catch up in the non traditional way.  Here is one random picture from each month that I didn't blog this past year.  Let's see what we find.

This actually happened in February, but it was in my April folder.  :)  We were on our way to Utah for Winter Break and decided to stop and see Grandma at her retirement home in Nampa, ID.  I'm so glad we did.  As it turns out, she passed away only a few months later.  She is a sweet woman.  I remember from her funeral that my cousin Thane talked about Grandma's homemade bread.  Everyone loved her homemade bread, but it wasn't just the bread, it was the love served with every slice, it was the effort she put into loving people.  Warm and comfortable just describes grandma so well.  I remember her stories, not only Chickamee and Chickamaw and The Mighty Hunter, but her stories from her life too, like being President Monsons teacher and the one where she had to step down as primary president to be the cubscout den leader. (I told that one recently at a visiting teaching conference).    At the time of this picture Grandma had fairly advanced Alzheimers.  She repeated the same stories and same questions over and over, but it is telling what she repeated so often.... she shook the boys hands and reminded them they needed to have a good strong missionary hand shake, she told Lizzy over and over how beautiful she is and she told us about when she was a teacher.  Such a sweet experience.

Coincidentally, this was the only picture in my May folder.  My Dad and his siblings at Grandma's funeral.  So I will just add one more memory of when Grandma was dying.  Her children gathered around her bedside during those final hours and they sang. They sang primary song, hymns and silly songs, but it was beautiful.

Blurry picture, but fond memory.  This was on our cruise to Mexico over Spring Break.  It's weird that Grayson looks so little here.  What a difference 8 months makes.  Here we are at the dining room where we ate most nights on the boat.  This picture reminds me most of the magician that came around to our table amazing and fascination the kids.  He was tons of fun and had the kids cracking up.  We kayaked at Catalina island and did some bartering in Mexico as well.

Good summer fun with the Watkins and the Strongs.  Look at that beach... and we LIVE right here.  Amazing.  Also... so blessed by these good friends.

Yellowstone with the Goodrich family!  We visited the park and played on the lakes for days on end.  This random picture is a bunch of grandkids who were just hanging out on Grandpa's bed.  I know we had bigger adventures than this one, but somehow I like to remember the kids piling up to hang out with Grandpa just as much as anything else.  LOL!

Just hanging with friends at Forest Park.  I don't care if you are 4 years old or 13 (or 37).... these swings go so high.  They are awesome.  

Family photo taken on Sam's baptism day.  Sam's baptism was so special with he and Cameron being able to do it together.  I felt such a sweet spirit there.  I mostly will remember, though, how Sam cried.  He was so emotional after the baptism and I wasn't sure if he was upset about something.  But when I got a chance to talk to him, he assured me that he just felt really really good.  I wonder if he'll remember how he felt.  His tender heart is something I feel blessed to have in our family.

Although they may have been exaggerating their excitement a bit in this picture... it really was just a bit.  I took these two to see Piano Guys perform and they were SO excited.  It was an awesome show!

It was uniquely special to have Grandma and Grandpa come stay with us for Christmas.  I thought I might feel resentful or something about having to share this special time with anyone else, but I decided that to share something you love is really so much more precious.  It somehow expands.  Aren't I insightful...?  Haha.  Really though, I remember feeling that way... like I really loved being able to share all of the traditions that have become important to us with someone else.  It made it even better.

Lizzy's basketball team came over one night to hang out.  Here is her amazing coach, Bryan, joining in on pie face.  They had a blast.