I recently took the girls on a two week vacation...by myself...so that I could attend my grandmother's funeral. All of my siblings (minus the one who is on a mission in Brazil) were there for the funeral so we though we might as well make the trip worth it and stay awhile. I got a lot of praise along the way (and on the way home) for taking on the task of traveling with 3 children alone. However, my sister Sally DROVE all the way from Michigan by herself with her 4 children and my brother Keith and his wife came all the way from Austria (what is that? like a 12 or 14 hour flight?!) So I'm not the only one who needed to make the trip worth it. And I definitely wasn't the only brave one. I'm so glad we could all make it.
The trip started off with my Grandma's funeral but I didn't take any pictures. I didn't think to bring my camera. So here are a few I stole off of facebook from my Uncle Lars.
She had a beautiful casket. It was pink on the inside!
Just a few people standing around at the graveside. There's me in the yellow shirt....probably the only proof that I was actually there since I didn't bring my own camera.
My little sweeties trying to stay warm in the sun.
Grandpa (front row with the cane) with his posterity. (A few of his grandchildren and great grandchildren are missing).
Grandpa with the grand kids and great grand kids.
That night after the funeral my youngest brother Shaun graduated from High School. Go Shaun!
A neighbor was kind enough to let us take our kids swimming in their pool and they of course had a blast.
Below you see Ava jumping into the water. She is so brave in the water it's scary. She does flips (yes flips!) off the side, jumps off the diving board, and last time we were at the pool I saw her actually trying to dive into the pool (which about the 5th time she finally figured out and didn't do a belly flop!)
There is a train park in Medford that is open to the public 2 Sunday's a month. We went every year for our cousin's birthday and it was always a blast. While we were there a little birdie told my dad that you can actually rent the train park privately for a really decent price. And so we did! To celebrate Sadie's birthday, Keith's birthday, and Shaun's graduation we took everyone to the train park. The kids all loved it.
The ride is 9 minutes long and takes you over bridges, through tunnels, and around the park. Very cool.
Every time we went through a tunnel all the kids would scream so they could hear the echo. Sadie plugged her ears.
Sadie and Grandpa getting ready to go!
The first picture I have of me and my girls! Love them to death!
After the train park we had a little birthday for Sadie with cupcakes and a few presents.
I didn't ask, but I'm pretty sure she got what she wanted. Horses.
Will they ever learn to eat without making a mess?!
Grandma and Ezra
Grace and Uncle Tom.
My parents with all their children (missionary included...back row!). A few spouses are missing but the rest of us are there.
Sadie got really attached to her Aunt Krista on the trip and as you can see is very upset that Aunt Krista was leaving. (if you are reading this Aunt Krista, she has been asking to talk to you on the computer...we need to skype soon!)
Ava playing pirate in Grandma's backyard.
Thank you Uncle Lars for the fun bubbles!
The girls were exhausted by the end of the trip. They all napped on the way home.
Ava did nap, but she was more interested in playing.
The girls were SO excited to see dad when they got home and he was just as excited to see them. 2 weeks is a long time! And daddy had a surprise for Ava when we got home. Her very own bike!
It took a while to recover after being gone for so long but we finally did it. I'm so glad we got to go. I love my Grandma and miss her. But I am glad she has finally been released from her mortal body. I look forward to seeing her again someday.
