Memorial Day Weekend

I'm still playing catch up on the blog.  This past Monday was Memorial Day, a day to remember those who have fought and died for our country, as well as a day to remember our own loved ones.  My parents were always thoughtful in decorating the graves of their loved ones that had passed on.  I admit, we tend to think of Memorial Day as a play day,  since Roy always is always off work.  This time was no different; we were up at the George.  I went up to relax, and Roy went up to do projects.  We had to have a little discussion about what the purpose of our weekend getaways are.  I know that Roy loves to go to our Wyoming place, but I also know that he loves projects.  I am happy to help out, but I go up for rest and relaxation.  He told me that my whole life is rest and relaxation...he's probably right.  My children were more thoughtful than me this holiday; Dan and Jieun and family; Nick and Sara and family (and maybe others) all visited Thomas' grave.  Cait visits this grave often since the cemetery is right by her condo.  Finn and AJ stopped in Springville following a baseball game there and Finn lovingly left his baseball.  This was fun as it sparked a conversation between my siblings.  Dave saw it and asked who had left it there.  I didn't know until Adrienne posted the picture of Finn with the baseball.

Vernon and Ila
My mother always decorated the graves of her parents and grandparents, my dad's parents and grandparents, and her first husband Gene Bird, who died in WWII.  When my mom passed, my dad (who never wanted her to talk about Gene) took over decorating his grave.  When my dad died, Dave took over the responsibility.  Some of my neices and nephews searched out and found his grave this year. 

 

Yuna, Dan, Yuli, Hyeji, Dojin and Doyeon.  It means to world to me to see pictures like this one.

Finn, paying his respects to his great grandparents

Avie, Cam, Ori, Effie and Nick

Caitlyn and Jennie, and Foster and Elijah, drove down to Santaquin to visit grandpa R. on Memorial Day.  There was a near miss of a could-have-been serious accident, so we're very grateful to our Heavenly Father that they made it safely.  Caitlyn said that Grandpa knew her, but was confused at who Jennie was.  

After their trip to see grandpa, they stopped at the gravesite of Ila and Vernon and paid their respects.  I'm so appreciative to all who made the effort to visit and remember our loved ones. 

 In Flaming Gorge, Roy and I sought out some petroglyphs we'd heard about.  It was a little drizzly, but beautiful.  We found the petroglyphs but were disappointed that some people had defaced the rock with their own art.  As far as I know, the pictures of the petroglyphs I'm including were all from the distant past.

Roy and I drove home on Monday after a beautiful ride in our kayaks.  We had invited an old friend to dinner.  Mary Canale Sanders was one of our Georgia success stories.  When dad met Mary, she was working a temp job where Roy was working.  Roy was nice and gentlemanly (apparently not something she was used to).  He told her she should meet his wife and that she should go to church with us.  Some seven months later, she did end up at church and we were in her ward.  She loved the people in the church, and she soon joined, but she had a long way to go; she had some serious addictions and was in an abusive relationship.  She told me that I went to court with her to testify against the "boyfriend," but I didn't remember that.  She had two young sons, Randy and Jake, from a previous marriage.  I was her first visiting teacher.  We continually showed love and eventually she overcame her past.  She met SJ Sanders and soon they were married.  Together they had a little girl, Phoenix.  It was Phoenix that brought us together again since she was getting married in the Brigham City temple (I haven't seen Mary in probably 30 years).  Caitlyn went with me to Phoenix' reception so I wouldn't have to go alone (Roy went on another ride with his club.  He'll include some pics in the next blog).  Mary's son Randy is the elders quorum president in his ward.

Catharine, Roy, Mary and SJ

Roy, showing off his toy

Since Memorial Day corresponded so closely to the last day of school, there were other events that were happening.  Beverly was in her dance recital.  She had four numbers and four costumes.

Gunnar, Roy, Ila and Catharine enjoyed an evening at the Hale Center Theater.  It was a great show.  I think we all enjoyed it, except I'm not sure about Gunnar.  He was pretty tired!

While we were on our trip to Israel, we missed an ice skating show with Caitlyn and Ori.  Jennie, Jordan, Nick and kids all went to support them.  

Ori (on left) with her group number people

We received this picture of Elijah while we were gone.  He's really growing.

"I'm a banana"