Memorial Day Weekend

It was a busy weekend, with lots of activity, and I'm going to include all our comings and goings in one post.  On Saturday morning, with Grandma Sue, Aunt Georgianne, Mikayla and Guy, and a bunch of cousins, we drove out to Eureka to decorate great-grandpa and grandma George and Georgina's grave.  A couple of weeks ago, when we were talking about whether or not to go, Brandt said, "I want to go to Eureka! We have to go!"  Warms my heart.  I know that he isn't particularly interested in decorating the graves, but he does like going to Eureka, and the annual acknowledgement of ancestors I hope will stick.

The kids ran around the cemetery, and remarkably, although it was chilly enough for sweatshirts, it wasn't windy.  They found sticks, climbed on stuff, threw rocks, and chased each other.  Eureka really does have an appealing cemetery for the young.

We gathered everyone together to have a group shot.

I asked someone decorating graves near our graves if they would take it for us.

As soon as we took the picture and went to climb in the car, 

I discovered that Brandt had been in the car playing on his Kindle and wasn't in the shot.

Grrrrrrr.

Brandt took our picture.

This is one shot of seven.

It's the only one that isn't crooked, and it's still a bit crooked.

On Saturday, I sent out a text inviting any family members headed up to East Lawn to stop by for ice cream sundaes after their time there.  Almost immediately, nephew Steve and niece Katie and their families replied saying, "Can we come in half an hour?"  We spent some time Saturday after visiting with Steven and Sunny and their two kids Ruby and Jack, and Katie and Drew and their four kids.  We don't see them very often, and it was fun to visit, eat ice cream, and watch the kids run by.  The twins, Aiden and Ashton (your guess is as good as mine as to which is which), charmed us with their round faces and big grins.

Sunday morning we went to Salt Lake for nephew Seth's homecoming talk.  He did a fine job; it was an excellent mission report.  It was obvious he had worked hard and grown.  We had a lovely lunch afterwards and then, since we were already in Salt Lake, in the company of Lee, Cammie, and Aaron, went to the Murray City cemetery, as well as Wasatch Lawn.  The kids were delighted to decorate graves and run around, and we were pleased to visit and send pictures to Grandma George so he knew we were still taking care of those who came before.

The Barrus men singing, accompanied by Sharon, after Seth spoke.

They sounded good.

At the Murray City Cemetery seeing Grandpa and Grandma Sanders

 

At Wasatch Lawn, seeing Grandpa and Grandma Barrus,

as well as Aunt Marilyn and Uncle John

Monday morning, we met all of the DeMartinis up at East Lawn to visit with Grandpa De.  It was nice to be all there, to talk about Dad, and to watch the kids run around.  Dad loved watching the kids run around; they brought him great joy.  I hope when we gather that he takes a moment from whatever he's doing to be with us and watch.  I really miss him.  Grandma Hare and Jeff are by Dad, so we said hello to them too.

Everyone except Griffin (I don't know where he was) and Missy.

Also while at East Lawn, we went to see John and Grandma Merlynn and Kent's cousin Brian.  We saw Alison, Phil, and George, and Diana.  It's always good to see them and have the chance to visit.  I am glad that we can honor those who have come before us, and those who have finished their earthly journey.  I am grateful for time to set aside other activities and think about those we've loved and lost.

Katherine, Kent, George, Alison, and Phil Thaut, and Diana Freeman

Visiting Grandma Merlynn