Mom's Birthday

Saturday we went to Burley to surprise my mom for her birthday. Mandy, me and my mom got to go to the Upper Crust for some lunch and spend some time together. We were only in Burley for 24 hours but I got to spend the day with my mom on her birthday, my kids loved every second they got to spend with their cousins, Kaisa, Joren, and Chloe, Me and my sister stayed up till 4AM, and I got to visit my grandparents twice. On our way back to Wyoming we stopped at Brenda's house for about an hour. Maddie and Garen wrestled with her boys and I got to visit with my dear friend for a bit. We finally made it back about 11pm Sunday night

Garen was not cooperating very well-

I love this picture! I wish I could remember what was so funny to my mom and not too the kids-

I left the girls in the tub for a minute and when I came back Sophie's hair was like this, I think it was Joren. haha-

Grandpa Bruce, freezing cold as usual-

Grandma Dora, dying of heat as usual-

Grandma Dora

My thoughts and prayers are with my sweet Grandma Dora this week. Just a couple weeks ago she had to have surgery on her intestines. We were worried but she came out great and recovered very quickly. Then on Saturday my dad took her in because her heart rate was down in the 30's and she wasn't feeling to well. The doctor said he hasn't seen somebody with a heart rate that low that was still conscious.

The options were for her heart to keep slowing or to put in a pace maker. The surgery went well and she got home last night. Physically she keeps beating the medical odds at age 91, but she is left wondering if she should of just stayed home and let it take its coarse and she is afraid of what will fail next.

She is such an amazing, sweet, strong, and loving person. I got used to seeing her 3 or more times each week my entire childhood. She took care of us when my parents were gone, she picked me up from school and made me snacks, she taught me how to play ping pong and Scrabble. I can't wait to see her and my grandpa this weekend!

Ice skating with Grandma

My mom grew up ice skating in Minnesota and with Maddie in ice skating lessons my mom thought it would be fun to take Maddie skating. Maddie loved skating with her grandma Sue and my mom did great!

Minnesota Trip

Saturday
My sisters, their boys, my dad, and I headed out in the afternoon for our long drive to Minneapolis. We took a break at Martin's Cove (a place the pioneers tried to take cover from the cold and several died) and saw Devil's gate. It was a neat place and gave us a chance to stretch our legs and let the boys run around.

The rest of the trip we only stopped for gas and bathrooms and for some breakfast in the morning. We arrived at my grandparents house at 12:00 on Sunday (20 hours after we left). The trip went really well considering the 2 pregnant people and the 2 toddlers. Luckily my dad is amazing and can drive for hours with no sleep!
Devil's gate-

Colton and Joren-


In the Martin's cove visitor center-

Sisters-


Sunday
My sisters and I went with my mom and aunts to dress my grandmother's body. This is the first time I saw her so it was incredibly hard for me, but I'm glad I went and got to have that quiet spiritual time with her.

I really don't know how people that lack the knowledge of life after death can get through times like these. Although I felt such sadness and emptiness with her absence I felt an overwhelming peace and even happiness in it's place because I know without a doubt that she is perfect and happy and I will see her again in a short season.

Sunday night several of my cousins and aunts and uncles were over late with us at grandpa's house and we enjoyed our time talking together since we don't see each other very often.

Monday
This day was just filled with family and my amazing mom coordinating every aspect of the funeral arrangements.

In the evening was the viewing. I was glad to see so many people come and everyone smiling and sharing memories.

Afterwards, I went out for awhile with some of the cousins and again we had a bunch of family over at grandpas' up late talking. My grandpa would walk around the house and point out grandma's shoes or what they would have been doing just then. He is such a sweet man and he will be incredibly lonely without his wife of 62 years.
Grandpa and some of the grand kids-

My grandma loves pink-

Tuesday
This morning there was another viewing followed by the family prayer and the closing of the casket. It was so hard to say goodbye one more time and to watch my mom, her siblings, and my grandpa say their goodbyes.

The funeral was beautiful! There were some amazing things said about grandma's accomplishments, her humor, and her life. The closing song was a recording of my grandmother singing and playing amazing grace-it was nice to hear her voice and incredibly touching.
The Funeral program-




Next we went to the cemetery where my dad did a wonderful job dedicating the grave.
Then there was a luncheon at the church that the ward relief society did a fabulous job with. It looked beautiful and the food was great.




Grandpa Mel and I-

Grandpa and his grand kids-


my family-

We went back to grandpa's house and I soaked in all the memories of grandma and that house before we had to leave. I got to take with me a few pieces of grandma's jewelry collection which I will cherish.
The days went by to quickly and I was sad to say goodbye to my cousins, the house, and especially my grandpa. We left about 7pm for the long ride home.
Cousins oldest to youngest (John, Dan, Danette, Sadie, Mandy, Denise, Nikki, Sara, Emily, Ben, Darianne)-

Grandpa and his kids-

Wednesday

We stopped at Independence rock (one of the main landmarks for the Oregon Trail, Martin Handcart co. and other pioneers) for a little while on our way home so the boys could run around a bit. And we ended up getting to my house at about 2pm (about 18 hours from when we left). It felt good to be home and the past few days are kind of a daze that seem like faded memories or a dream.
I'm so glad my dad made it possible for us girls to go! He was an incredibly patient man to drive almost the whole time, have no sleep, stop way to often for me to use the bathroom, and to listen to little boy whining. Thanks Dad!
And I'm so glad Jann (Andy's mom) took such great care of my kids while I was gone.

My brothers John and Dan-and family- stopped in at my house later in the night for a break from their travels and some food. It was fun to see them for a little while longer. While I was making the food and Maddie was waiting for her cousins she went and got Grandma Vonnie's CD and listened to her favorite yodeling songs. It was cute to hear Maddie trying to sing along with grandma. And also hard for me to make dinner with wet eyes.
Colton and my dad at Independence rock-

Joren climbing the rock-

Grandma Vonnie passed away on Saturday, September 20th at 12:40AM surrounded by her children and family. My sisters and I will make it out there for the funeral.

My Dear Grandma Vonnie

My grandmother has been battling bone cancer for a few years now and things have been positive. But the last couple months have taken a turn for the worst and my sweet, and wonderfully funny grandma has become extremely weak.

She is still hanging on, but is now non responsive and she has not had anything to eat or drink for 6 days. So it looks like her job well done is over very soon here on Earth. She will be sorely missed, but I know she will finally feel comfortable again soon.

I will miss her dancing in her bathrobe in the kitchen and listening to her play the guitar and singing her old country songs!

I leave tomorrow morning with my two sisters and my dad (my mom is already out there) to Minnesota. I am very thankful to Andy's mom for jumping in and helping with the kids so I can make this trip.