Easter Morning 2017

We had a wonderful Easter morning. We were able to celebrate Easter in Utah. The kids woke up and were excited to see if the Easter Bunny came and came he did! Of course we had to line up youngest to oldest to go and see what was left behind. Cute Briggy lead the way being held by his papa.

The kids searched high and low to find what the Easter Bunny gave them.

The kids were able to find a ton of candy and toys.

It was a fun and sweet morning.

My Grandpa

A wonderful man passed away in April of 2017.  To be honest, I have struggled to find the words to express the many emotions I have felt about his passing. My grandpa was one of a kind. He had the best smile that could brighten anyone's day. He always had a firm handshake to give you when he saw you. He always encouraged Brandon and I to take care of each other. He had unwavering love for his family and the gospel. He's a true example of Jesus Christ. 

When Brandon and I were young college students, any time we would come to visit, he would put together a box of food for us to take home. He was always so kind and generous. He would give us an envelope each year for our birthday. Inside the envelope would be the money amount for how old we were turning. I received one of the very last envelopes he made to give since he passed around my birthday. 

Picture taken of Grandpa and I back in Sept. of 2009

Back in January of 2017, our family was able to travel to Utah to attend the party celebrating my grandpa turning 90, my grandma turning 85 and my grandparents 65 wedding anniversary. We are so grateful we went to celebrate these two wonderful people and the life that they have shared.

His funeral was beautiful. It was a spiritual experience to be apart of it. I learned so many new stories about my grandpa. I didn't know that he trained to be a medic in World War II. I loved hearing about the story of when he bested my dad at pull-ups on the clothes line in the back yard.  I personally loved the story that my dad shared of going through my grandpa's old journals and expenses. There was a date long ago. He bought my grandma a wedding ring. The note beside it read: "Wedding Ring for GenaVee, The one that I love."  

I loved being apart of the special musical number with my adult cousins.

I loved that we had vanilla ice cream, his favorite, for dessert after his funeral.

One of the greatest blessings in my life is to call him grandpa!

65th, 85th, 90th,

 In the month of January, my family held a wonderful celebration in honor of my grandparents 65th wedding anniversary, my grandma turning 85 and my grandpa turning 90. 

To start the day off, all nine of my grandparents children and many grandchildren attended an endowment session together. It was wonderful. I loved every minute.  I remember looking over at my grandpa during the session and being impressed with the man that he was. 

 Shortly following the temple, we met up at a church and had a great family dinner.  On the walls in the room, they set up a couple of different stations that commemorated grandma and grandpa's life together. 

 A short program was held.As a family, we stood and recited the Living Christ. 

 The family gave grandma and grandpa two flags to hang at their new home in Blanding. I will always remember grandma sharing her thoughts on living in the United States. What a patriotic woman she is! She also shared her testimony of the gospel. What a faithful woman she is!

 We then ate a delicious meal.

 Grandma and grandpa with all nine of their children!

It was definitely a day to remember!

Trip to Utah- January 2017

Back in January, my family held a huge celebration celebrating my grandma's 85th birthday, my grandpa's 90th birthday and my grandparents' 65 wedding anniversary.

I decided that I wanted to be there for the grand celebration.  I pack up the kids and headed to Utah for the weekend.  We went half way one night and stayed at a hotel.  The kids absolutely loved swimming in the pool.

We kept our trip a surprise so we could surprise my grandparents and boy did we ever!

We did many fun things on our trip. The kids loved making bread with papa!

Brigham enjoyed reading books with grandma.

Briggy and McCall got to spend sometime bonding!

Even Millie was able to enjoy some Briggy loves!

I was able to go to the temple with my extended family members. We went to a fun dinner celebrating my grandparents.

We even went to a BYU basketball game.

We went to my grandparents' home on Sunday night, just like I did growing up, to enjoy our family. The kids absolutely loved playing games with family members. 

The girls absolutely loved the other girls that were found. 

Briggy was passed around and snuggled and loved by all.

Emmy was so proud of her bread she made and gave a loaf to grandma!

 Emmy loved her back scratches with grandma!

I am beyond grateful that the kids and I made the trip to Utah.  Little did I know that a few short months later my wonderful grandpa would pass away. If there is one thing I learned from that trip it would be to take time to do what matters most.