grandmother's 85th birthday

MAY 30, 1926: 

a beautiful little lady was born. she is the youngest of 9 kids.  (now the only living member of this immediate family.)  she outlived both her parents by the time she was 13 years old. married at age 17 to a 19 year old ginger-haired handsome in Logan, Utah. 

together they started an awesomely large family of what consists (now in the year 2011) of 8 children, 37 grandchildren, and 60-some odd-and-growing rapidly numbered great-grandchildren. I am one of this beautiful lady's grandchildren.

FLASH FORWARD:

a lot of that large number of people made an effort to be a part of this wonderful woman's 85th birthday. we traveled by plane to Utah, and then drove to Boise, ID for the event.  

we got to spend our nights at my uncle's house located just outside of Kuna, ID.  they were such good hosts and it was a lot of fun.  he had recently remodeled his basement to have actual living quarters (with separate kitchen and such) so we got our own little place to stay in.  my cousin is currently living in the basement now and so we spent time catching up on good times and getting to know each other better. on one of the days, the girls (me, my little sis, and my cousin) did our nails and watched some chick-flicks while the boys played together on the trampoline.

so much fun!

he's getting so big!

the babe actually learned to crawl for real during this time because the floors were all hardwood and I guess it gave him help, or something.  he had been doing the army crawl for so long.  and it was the cutest little army crawl.  kinda like a frog-hop.  he'd use both legs at the same time to make himself sorta jump as he went.  SOOO cute. :)  I knew I would miss it when he learned to do the four-legged crawl. and I do. *sigh* they just HAVE to grow up, don't they?

the reunion was so awesome.  as many of us as possible traveled to my grandmother's ward meeting house on Sunday and participated in Sacrament Meeting with her.  there were so many of us!  we filled up the overflow part of the chapel. my grandmother mentioned that that was one of her most favorite parts of the whole thing. to see so many of her children worshiping together. and I told her it must have been so great to see what she had started.  

cousins

After church, we went to a picnic park area and had a nice potluck sloppy-jo lunch. I got to enjoy spending time with my cousins and seeing their little ones that are now big ones because time has passed so fast.  and then got to show off my little ones to them. the boy even made a new friend of his cousin, Walter. or is it second cousin? well, it's my cousin's youngest son. they just stuck together and followed each other all over the playground.  it was so cute to see him play with family and enjoy his time with them.

stickin' together

and everyone could not believe that I am married and have two kids. (sometimes I don't even believe it).  I am one of the younger cousins and it has always been my title to be one of the "little girls" in the family.  so, that was fun.  and it was so crazy to see how everyone has changed, but not changed at the same time.  {did that make sense?} they still have the same look to them, just older. one thing that really got me, was that my oldest cousin's daughter is starting her first semester at BYU this fall! ah!  we are all definitely not old enough for that to happen.

we also got to enjoy some nice, cool, rainstorms.  and cold, windy weather.  it was great!  especially since it had been in the 90's and so dry in Texas.  

 

after the picnic, we took our boys back to my grandmother's house and they fell asleep in the car. we went in for hot chocolate, biscuits, and muffins. (grandmother sure likes to spoil me and my little family) we stayed there for chatting and to wait out the rain storm that started up.  then headed back to my uncle's house.  we decided to stay an extra night before heading back to Utah for our flight back to Texas. I am so glad that we did.  it was another fun memory of eating barbecue burgers and homemade fries.  we got to spend time with my uncle's family and just our little family together.  it was very special. my aunt had hurt her hip and knee earlier in the day and needed a priesthood blessing.  My handsome hubby got to help in administering it to her.  it was neat to share a special moment with my extended family.

uncle roger

aunt marilyn

the drive home was fast. and we got to spend time with my mom and dad that night and then took an early flight back to Texas. It was good to be back home, but I do miss being closer to family.

 

my grandmother is an awesome lady. she has been through a lot in her life. she has set a great example. I am grateful that I have been able to know her for this time.  I had a thought some years ago... 

what happened to us being so excited about seeing our grandparents? you know, the jump up and down for joy just because we get to see them, or talk to them on the phone? or that we are excited to share something with them? you know what I am talking about? or is it just me that sort of, lost touch? anyway. I decided that I wasn't going to be so distant anymore.  and I have been making sure to write to her and keep in touch with things going on.  she's the only living grandparent I have. and it's pretty cool.

I love this woman