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!

Grandma Hot Chocolate

 One of my kids favorite things to do when they go to Utah, is to go sledding on my grandparents' large hill.  The hill is the perfect sledding hill! Not only that, after you go sledding, grandma and grandpa's house is only a short walk away. 

When you arrive after sledding, grandma has a cup of warm hot chocolate waiting for you.  Hence the reason why my kids call her grandma Hot Chocolate.

 Grandma always makes the experience fun with fancy cups and treats! I hope my kids always remember this fun memory from their childhood of going sledding and their beloved grandma.

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. 

Thanksgiving 2016

Thanksgiving day started off with the boys going off to play football! My boys look forward to playing football on Thanksgiving all year long!  They loved it!

The girls and Brigham stayed home and watched the Macey's Thanksgiving Day Parade (one of Grandma Nelson's favorite traditions) and spent time having Briggy snuggles.

  We then headed off to the church where our extended family had their Thanksgiving Day feast.  The food was wonderful and the company even better.

 After dinner, we spent the time playing games

 jumping rope

 playing pickle ball

 and just spending time with our family.

It was a wonderful day to spend time with those we love and reflect on the many things that we have been blessed with!