memorial day

My grandparents have always been great examples of going to visit the graves of their loved ones on Memorial Day. I still have many memories as a child of going to visit the cemetery in the small town where my grandparents live. There was always a big crowd of aunts, uncles, and cousins to catch up with. 

Here is a picture of some of my (second) cousins and I back when we were younger. I am the one in the middle of the group in the white shirt and blue bow. We always looked forward, and still do, to seeing them on Memorial Day each year!  

About 4-5 years ago, my grandparents came up with a new tradition. As we (the grandchildren) were getting older, moving away, getting married, etc., it got harder for us to go visit the graves each year. I'm not 100% sure, but I think this new tradition was to help my cousins and I get to the graves with our families. Whatever the reason, I am so thankful for this tradition! It is something we look forward to every May!

First we start at the cemetery where my grandparents live. Then we move to two other cemeteries throughout the morning.While at the cemeteries, we help my grandparents put flowers on the graves while they tell us a few stories or family history about our buried loved ones. With each passing year I get more and more familiar with where my family is buried, and remember a little bit more about their stories.

 Uncle Eldon, cousin K, M

Grandma Pete telling the boys about Uncle Brian, my grandparent's first son. 

Grandpa Pete and Miss B. 

Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Eldon, Uncle Tom, Nick

Sharing goldfish 

Here we are at baby Zach's grave. This is my cousin's first son.

M left him a matchbox car.

Lots of care and concern over how his grave looked!

  

Lots of love for this little boy, and all the babies on the other side, from our family.

After the cemetery visits, my grandparents treat us all to lunch at Frederico's...a family favorite! It is a great way to end the day.

I am so thankful for my grandparents. I appreciate the value they place on honoring our loved ones on Memorial Day. This is something I will always value thanks to their efforts. So thankful for my family.

summer night

(Sorry M, you aren't in picture. You were too busy playing to come get in it!)

Thanks for having a birthday, JaNessa!

1st birthday

Our sweet baby J turned one in May! We love her SO much! We are so happy she gets to be a part of our family.

M decided to give J his "farm game," as he calls it, for her birthday. His farm game being a set of silos, a shed, cows, truck, etc. That was so very sweet of him, even if he still thinks it is his! Really, though, it was very genuine. Here he is showing baby J how to put it together.

Here she is celebrating her big day with her first cup of COW'S MILK! 

Getting ready to open her gifts. I love this picture of her. She is so sweet.

She got some toy keys and a giggle buddy (stuffed animal that laughs). M picked out those baby keys he is holding. He played with those ALL DAY! He was certain they were the keys to his car. 

A few days after her actual birthday, we had a little party for her at my parent's house with family. I didn't get any pictures, but luckily my sister took a few of baby J eating her cake. She LOVED it!

So thankful for this sweet baby girl we get to enjoy. We love you Miss J!

motivation for the week (and the next 20 years or so...)

I found this quote today that really struck a chord with me:

“Parents need to remember that being home isn’t just a time to rest and take it easy, although that is a part of being at home. Rather, it is mostly a time for faith, a time to search for ways to strengthen the family. We may struggle sometimes at work and other places to exercise our faith fully and keep our priorities in place, but if some priorities have to suffer, let it not be at home. With the family is where we really must be at our best. We must not let our guard down. We must truly show our children how to live by faith.” 

-Gene R. Cook, Raising Up a Family to the Lord 

Mr. M, about 18 months

Baby J, 6 weeks

How I love these babies of mine!

I remember something my mom told me when M was younger that has always stuck with me. We were talking about parenting and how to try and raise good kids. She said something along the lines of, "You don't get a do-over as a parent. Put in the time, effort, and work that it takes to be a good parent when your children are young. That way, however they turn out (hopefully really good), you can be at peace knowing you gave it your very best." 

Being a parent is hard, really hard. I have moments and days that I wish I could "do-over." How thankful I am for a loving Heavenly Father, who will make up for my weaknesses as a parent, if I will but put my trust and faith in Him--and then show that trust and faith  by my actions.

Here is to trying to be a little better this week with my actions! 

hiking and plane museum

Jake had a few days off at the end of April. It was so nice.to have him home from work with us. Among other things, we went on a hike one day and then to a plane museum another day. 

Here is our hike.

Here are some pictures at the plane museum. M had a lot of fun checking things out!

 

It is hard to see, but the writing on the plane reads, "Vittle Flights to Berlin." This is one of the planes that Col. Gail Halvorsen, the guy from Meet the Mormons, flew. We love the movie, so it was fun to see one of his planes.

wedding, part 2

Alright, one more post about my sister's wedding. I figure I better get some thoughts written down before I forget some of the fun details of the day! 

After the temple, the groom's family provided a nice wedding luncheon at the church. The food was really good and the company was wonderful. My sister's husband is from out-of-state, so this was the first time we were able to meet most of his family. They were so much fun!

After the luncheon, we finished getting ready for the reception. Everything looked so pretty. It was so nice to see and visit with family and old friends who came through the line. Towards the end of the reception, there was dancing. None of my siblings had dancing at their weddings--but it was very fitting for my baby sister's personality! It completely fits her to have had dancing at her wedding. And, I know I keep saying this, but it was SO MUCH FUN! I didn't realize how much I would enjoy it. Mainly because I had the best dance partner in the house, Mr. M! Ha, he dances around at home a lot, but wow! This kid is a natural! He just ate up the whole dancing thing. Honestly, I think that was the most fun I have ever had dancing. Ever.

These two started dancing long before the "official" dancing began. Love the friendship they share.

The lovely bride and groom.

The twins and Mary. Love these girls! They are all a year younger than me, my brother's age, and a year younger than my sister...does that confuse you?! We have known them for years. Thankful for their goodness and friendship with my sister and all of our family!

Jake and baby J. It had obviously been a long day for her!

My brother's best friend with my sister and my brother's son.

Bride and groom getting ready to leave. Here they are saying goodbye to my grandparents.

Alright, let me back up. As I mentioned, the groom's family is from out-of-state, so a lot of them were staying at my parents home for a few days during the wedding. Before we went to the luncheon, we stopped at my parent's house for a few minutes to change and freshen up. Some of his family was upstairs, so we chatted for a few minutes. I went downstairs, and whoa! The place was PACKED! I had no clue that so many people were there. (It makes sense, his family, even those not staying with my parents, don't live close by so there was no where for them to go.) I don't know why, but I thought it was really exciting to have them all there. It was like a constant party.

Here are some pictures from breakfast the morning after the wedding. There weren't as many people there that morning, but it was still a full house.

My siblings and I were so excited that one of our cousins from California flew in for the wedding. Her and her sister used to come and stay with us for 2-3 weeks every summer when we were growing up. We don't get to see each other much anymore these days, but we LOVED catching up with her. We love you, Lolly!

So thankful my sister and her husband found each other! It was a fun, fun week celebrating their new life together.