Memorial Day has never been about loved ones who have passed away for me. Mainly because I have never lost anyone close to me. You see, I am fortunate enough to have even my grandparents alive and well. I realized a couple of months ago that this is not the case for my children. Corey lost his grandmother, Shirley, when he was serving an LDS mission. She died of cancer. When Ethan was just a baby my Mother-in-Law gave him a little teddy bear angel bearing the name "Grandma Shirley." I have always kept it with Ethan's stuffed animals and he has always known it was special. A couple of months ago I went in the help Ethan clean his room. When I walked in he was sitting on the floor holding the angel teddy bear and reading the name on it. He said, "Mom, I don't even know Grandma Shirley." And very softly he started to cry. I was so taken back. Ethan is a tender-hearted boy with emotions very close to the surface, but somehow this reaction to his teddy bear shocked me. I hugged him and told him that I never knew her either. I told him that his daddy would be happy to tell him all about her. So, he put the bear on his bed instead of the normal stuffed animal box so he would "remember to ask Dad about her."
I think he forgot about it the rest of the day, but when we knelt down to pray he began to cry again. He told his Dad the samething he told me about not knowing "Grandma Shirley." Corey and he hugged and cried a bit before Corey began to tell him about his grandma. I stayed there on my knees watching this interaction and I began to miss a woman I had never known. From what I hear about her she was amazing! I would have loved to have known such a woman.
Corey and I have not been to Shirley's grave our entire married life...at least not together. I am not sure of the times he has gone without me. But we knew we needed to go this memorial day...for Ethan's sake. He is filled with so many questions about death that it is hard to answer them all. We decided to take him to see where Shirley is buried. It was a great experience for Ethan.
Izzy (2), Ethan (6), and Ellie (8 mos) in front of the tombstone.
Izzy looking at the flowers.
Ethan drew a picture for her. We tied a ribbon around it and he put some plastic carnations in it.
Getting a little emotional.
While we were at the cemetary Corey's grandpa said, "Ya know, she's just not here." He smiled a knowing smile. I thought about the peace
knowing the gosepl brings to those who have lost loved ones. That statement would sound so lonely to anyone else, but here was a widower who said it with a smile. Although I am sure he would much rather have her with him, those words expressed a silent gratitude for a loving Father and his perfect plan. I would think that such knowledge is what will sustain me when I am faced with such a challenge.
Who needs a snowblower when you have these strong muscles!!
Izzy found a marker in the backseat of the car {don't ask me how it got there} and decided to decorate her pretty face. I couldn't be mad because she wouldn't stop laughing. Oh, the joys of being 2! So we all laughed and she went with me to run my errands and such with this adorable face.
Look at the effort Ethan is putting into stirring in the chocolate chips. 
This is the extent of Izzy's contribution. :)
I go hang out with Kari once a week at my mom's house in Brigham and this is the sight I see in my rear view mirror on the way home. The girls are so tired they are usually asleep before we hit the freeway. I love how their heads tilt the same way when they sleep. It makes for a nice drive home for me without having to meet the demands of the little ones. I turn up the radio and sing a long. Nope...the girls don't wake up.
Not quite sure what's going on.
Loving her pink cake.
Cleaning up in the Laundry Room sink
Anxiously waiting for the show.
Off he goes
Look at him go!
Gotta love the beautiful Utah mountains...the perfect backdrop.
Izzy and McKayla are thrilled to see it fly!
Grandpa Curt lands safely...and with a HUGE smile!
Ellie will be 10 months old on July 14th. She is so much fun. Her personality has really begun to emerge lately. Ellie can stand on her own, feed herself (finger foods) and say "da-da."
I have to say this was a great idea!
Izzy (2), Ethan (6), and Ellie (8 mos) in front of the tombstone.
Izzy looking at the flowers.
Ethan drew a picture for her. We tied a ribbon around it and he put some plastic carnations in it. 
While we were at the cemetary Corey's grandpa said, "Ya know, she's just not here." He smiled a knowing smile. I thought about the peace knowing the gosepl brings to those who have lost loved ones. That statement would sound so lonely to anyone else, but here was a widower who said it with a smile. Although I am sure he would much rather have her with him, those words expressed a silent gratitude for a loving Father and his perfect plan. I would think that such knowledge is what will sustain me when I am faced with such a challenge.
I think this is the only smile we got from Izzy. She was terrified of the water!! It was actually quite comical. Look at Ellie just relaxing in the floaty. Oh to be a baby!
Ethan is a water bug and always has been. 
Ellie got a bit too relaxed. I think it's time to go home.
MY HUSBAND IS AMAZING!!
Every year my mom does an Easter Egg Hunt in her backyard. The kids just adore it! They run around looking for all the candy with their name on it. Mom always goes all out getting the kids a little of everything, but I say it's her right as a
This is LDS General Conference according to a six year old boy with a bucket full of Legos. Complete with the Prophet holding a microphone, the jumbo screen behind him, and the pulpit. Darling huh? He is so imaginative and clever.
Ethan is 6 1/2 now. He wants to be a scientist when he grows up. He wants to invent all the creations he see on Jimmy Neutron and Star Wars. Ethan is really into light sabers and reading (or being read to). We really like Junie B Jones stories and Skippy John Jones (both wonderful books). He is advancing really well in school. His tests show him reading on a 2nd grade level. I believe he is well on his way to becoming a scientist. :)
Emmalee (in the pink) and Elizabeth (in the white t-shirt) are 6 weeks apart. Emmalee is my sisters youngest and Elizabeth is my youngest. Expecting these two was the first (and only) time Kari and I were pregnant together. Hard to believe considering we have 7 kids between us.
