Ella's 2nd Birthday

May 10th was Ella's birthday. She had a Mickey Mouse themed party. She was so cute and fun. She got a fun sand and water table, and lots of bubble toys. We gave her a darling swimming suit with a monkey on the shirt, sunglasses, and a darling hat that matches. She wanted nothing to do with the hat, everytime we put it on her she took it off and threw it on the ground. But when I put it on then suddenly it was all she wanted.



Later on after the sugar high
kicked in she put on her
glasses and started carrying
around every single bag she
received. She is so cute!

Her cute sun hat once she decided to wear it.
It may have been a tad big.



Mother's Day Weekend

We spent the weekend in Wellsville. We had a BBQ on Sunday to celebrate Mother's Day, Marlee's Birthday, and Tyler's Birthday. Mom was all freaked out about the cleanliness of the house so we spent Saturday cleaning.

Kyle worked outside with Dad for awhile and then came in and whipped the kitchen into shape. My man can clean like no other. It's a wonderful benefit for me. We ended up doing a major in depth cleaning of the main area. Mom disappeared to clean her bathroom and when we checked awhile later to see where she was she had torn her closet apart. She was still putting that back together when I went to bed about midnight.

I think she may have a touch of ADHD. Speaking of which watching Marijka clean is pretty comical. Her ADHD totally kicks in. I was watching her clean the blinds and then she was distracted by the dust on the lamp and moved over and cleaned it off. Then moved to the bookshelf, remembered what she was doing and was back to the blinds, and then the next thing I knew she was outside cleaning the windows because she noticed they were dirty while cleaning the blinds. She got a lot done, but it was entertaining. And it brought to mind this comic my sister-in-law was teasing my mother-in-law with on Facebook. Although it's not totally accurate because Marijka usually ends up with quite a bit to show for it.

We ended up having a nice BBQ to celebrate Mother's Day, and Marlee's and Tyler's birthdays. The weather was perfect. Part of the Petersen clan was there, and Grandma Pauline. It's always fun to have Em's girls around. They are all so cute. Ella has the biggest blue eyes and cutest smile. I could just snuggle her forever, but she's too busy to stand for much of that. Sweet Gracie on the other hand will snuggle right up with me and give me loves. Brooklyn is always good for a snuggle too as long

as it involves her getting her hands on my phone or ipad :) I sure love those girls. Nat's family was in South Carolina for Greg's brother Mike's wedding so we missed them. It was was good to spend some time with Brian and Sher. I can't believe Susan and Craig are really going through with moving to China. I think we are all still in some denial about that.

I think it has made the time we've spent together lately a little sweeter because we know before long will be separated for awhile. It's hard to imagine Susan and Craig living in China. It's just so far away.  I'm sure it will be a great adventure for them, but it will be hard for everyone left behind and them too.

Miss Rodeo Utah Gala

On April 30th Kyle and I met up with Mom and Susan and attended the Miss Rodeo Utah Gala for MaKenzie, my cousin Rod's daughter. The proceeds go toward helping her with her expenses this year and to help her go to the Miss Rodeo America pagent in December. I already have my hotel booked and hope to go to Las Vegas to support her, but we may have a wedding conflict so we will have to see if it works out.

Dinner was provided by Texas Roadhouse, there was a band performing, and we had a fun time. A ton of people show up to support Kenzie. There was a silent auction that I donated a University of Utah themed Scentsy basket for.

As always Kenzie looked absolutely beautiful. Her dress was grey leather with pink accents and was exquisite. Mindy worked so hard to pull it all together. I was glad we were able to go and give our support.



Kyle's Birthday Bash

 

Since it was Kyle's 40th birthday this year and there were many times we wondered if he would live to see this birthday we wanted to celebrate it. We had a get together on Saturday the 20th at The Pizza Factory in Ogden. It started out pretty stressful for me because there were people still in the room I reserved (the told me I could come early and set up) and they did nothing to even start setting up the room once they left. We actually ended up going in and clearing the tables and stuff ourselves. I was very bugged. But after a bit I was able to relax and enjoy things.

It was fun to have all our family there. I made gift bags for the kids and they loved it. Darren and Kat had to leave early with their boys.  But Kyle, Marlee, Tom, and I did the bumper cars with Emily and Natalie's kids. They all had a blast. It was so much fun.

Surrounded by all the kids he loves so much was the perfect way for Kyle to celebrate his birthday. I am so glad they came and played with him.

Hogle Zoo w/Brooklyn

Saturday, April 27th was Brooklyn's 9th birthday! I can't believe she is already 9 years old. She has grown up so fast and is a smart and talented girl.  She wanted to go to the zoo for her birthday so that is what we did. Craig, Susan, Mom, Dad, Marijka, Brian, Sher, Emily, Sean, Natalie, Kyle, Brooklyn, Gracie, Garrett, Abby, and Ella were all there. We had 11 adults and 5 kids. Even with a little more than a 2:1 ratio of adults to kids it took all 11 of us to keep track of them. They can disappear fast! I told Garrett he was in charge of keeping track of Kyle in hopes that he would stick close to him. That worked for about 30 minutes, before he was off with someone else. He has so much energy. I wish I could have even a fraction of it.

We had such a great time. After we were done we went to the neighboring park and had cookies and let Brooklyn open her gifts. Mom and Dad came home with Kyle and I and stayed the night. 

It was a perfect day! A day dreams are made of, as one of the kids said many years ago.

 

 

Grandma Ila's Birthday

Today is Grandma Ila's birthday. It doesn't really get easier as the time goes by. I miss her as much today as I ever have. She was an amazing woman and raised an exceptional family. We were her greatest pride and joy.

Here is a post from the past:

Yesterday would have been Grandma Ila's birthday. We always had a cookout to celebrate her birthday when she was alive. Uncle Steve and Robert usually made an appearance and I know she enjoyed the fuss we made about it. I think about her often, especially this time of year. I think maybe that is because of Memorial Day and how important it was to her.  She trained us well on how you place flowers on a grave. In case you didn't know you spread the flowers out and remember to stake them down so they don't tip over. Grandma taught us the importance of respecting our ancestors and the sacrifices they made for us.

Grandma graduated from college when there weren't many women who pursued and education after high school. She always called USU "The AC" (Agricultural College), because that's what it was called when she went there. She lived in Logan and would ride the train home to Wellsville on the weekends to see her family. Her family couldn't afford to make the trip to Logan to see her graduate so none of her family was there to see her graduate. After graduation she went on to teach elementary school for years. Grandma Ila taught us about service and the importance of helping others. There was a guy here in town who had some issues and he would walk all over. Grandma would always pick him up and give him a ride and $5.00 even when Mom and Susan would ask her not to pick him up. Grandma often volunteered for projects with no intention of doing them. She was actually volunteering for us to to do it and knew we would come through for her. We put on funeral dinners for several of her cousin's families when they brought them home to Wellsville for burial after living and dying in other places.

I really enjoyed living in her home for several years. I felt of her presence several times when I was having a hard time. It was really hard to move out and see someone else move in. It's been nice to have Robert own it for the past 7 years and it will be hard to see it be sold to someone else now.

Grandma was a major influence in my life and with her living next door she was like a second mother to me. We butted heads more than a few times, but she loved me so much and was my greatest cheerleader. She was so proud of all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She celebrated all of our achievements. She loved having Brooklyn living in her basement the last year of her life. I think she lived longer because of the joy Brooklyn brought her.

It was a privilege to care for her in her final years. She did so much for all of us over our lifetimes and it was an honor to return some of that to her. It was a great experience for us and it brought all of us closer together as a family. I love you Grandma and I miss you everyday! Thank you for the lessons you taught me. I've thought of your "Life is Hard" lecture you loved to give several times over the last few years. I wish you could have been here for me, but I felt of your love and support even though you were only here in spirit.

My Thoughts on Dying

It is unfortunate that in my life I have had the experience of watching too many of those I love die. My Grandpa LaMar died suddenly when I was 10 years old. As painful as that experience was, I later came to realize it was a blessing he died the way he did. I was there when my Great-aunt Venice passed away. I watched Grandma Ila's health decline for years. Grandpa Farrell also suffered for years. They had no quality of life left at the end.

When I heard Shane was sick I was devastated. In my mind he has always been my handsome, strong cousin who I had a huge crush on growing up. I also felt so bad that we hadn't seen each other for years. When I walked in his hospital room I barely recognized him. He was a shell of his formal self, but as soon as he spoke I knew he was the same man I always loved. It was agony to watch him suffer.

I am so grateful for the time we had with him while he was here in Salt Lake at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital. We were able to reconnect and get to know his wonderful wife Abby. She is an amazing, giving woman. Shane loved her so much and he was the love of her life. I hated that he had to suffer as long as he did.

The thing I have learned from all of these experiences is that we don't have any control over when we die. It happens when Heavenly Father is ready and not before. Grandma was ready to go for weeks before she finally was able to. Shane seemed to have to suffer forever and he still didn't want to die, but went anyway. My theory is we will die when it's our time and we might as well accept that and not worry about it.