The start of our Summer was a whirlwind.
Grandpa was starting to decline fast.
He was on hospice at home.
This visit was a day before he passed away.
He would open his eyes about every 5 minutes and mumble some words that I couldn't
make out.
But almost every time before he would doze off again he would tell me, you are so special,
I love you.
Those words I could hear clear as day.
And I knew he meant what he was telling me.
He wouldn't let go of whose ever hand he had at the moment.
His whole life he wore a watch like this.
It was not easy to see him in a bed like this since I have only known him to be
working.
Whether it was outside in his backyard, his work yard, or the temple.
If there was a project, he was on it!
I have many memories of spending Sunday evenings at his house.
His numerous trees and retention ditch served as great hiding spots for
us cousins to play kick the can and hide N seek in.
Other little funny things that remind me about him are waffles, grape nut cereal,
fresca soda, Pepsi, citrus, half pieces of gum (waste not want not), kittens, goats, High On the Mountain Top and so much more.
When Stephanie and I were little he would chant this song to us:
Steph the ref with a boyfriend names Jeff.
Shell the bell with a boyfriend named Mel.
I broke my elbow when I was 5 requiring surgery and a full length arm cast.
I vividly remember Grandpa and Grandma taking me Christmas tree shopping with
them as a reward for being brave. After Christmas was over my Grandpa planted the
tree in the backyard. I loved looking at it with a reminder of that day where they made me feel so special and loved. I also like to think he replanted it just for me:) But I'm pretty sure it is
because he hated to see ANYTHING get thrown away!
If there was a project, he was on it!
I have many memories of spending Sunday evenings at his house.
His numerous trees and retention ditch served as great hiding spots for
us cousins to play kick the can and hide N seek in.
Other little funny things that remind me about him are waffles, grape nut cereal,
fresca soda, Pepsi, citrus, half pieces of gum (waste not want not), kittens, goats, High On the Mountain Top and so much more.
When Stephanie and I were little he would chant this song to us:
Steph the ref with a boyfriend names Jeff.
Shell the bell with a boyfriend named Mel.
I broke my elbow when I was 5 requiring surgery and a full length arm cast.
I vividly remember Grandpa and Grandma taking me Christmas tree shopping with
them as a reward for being brave. After Christmas was over my Grandpa planted the
tree in the backyard. I loved looking at it with a reminder of that day where they made me feel so special and loved. I also like to think he replanted it just for me:) But I'm pretty sure it is
because he hated to see ANYTHING get thrown away!
Leah asked me to help her decorate the tables for the viewing and funeral.
It was fun going through all of his stuff.
It was fun going through all of his stuff.
My personal favorite was this U-pick sign that
was always out front of his house.
His Navy uniform was also a favorite.
He was so skinny!
Pretty sure if I tried to put it on it wouldn't have gone over my thighs!
It all makes sense where the tall, skinny boys in our family get it from.
We went to the cemetery first.
I LOVE doing it that way!
I LOVE doing it that way!
It is so much more peaceful, in my opinion.
Taps in the background
It is hard to see but they are giving the flag to my grandpa
I was so surprised to make this discovery, my grandpa was buried right next to a man
whose widowed wife and son live in our ward! He died 20 years ago.
He was killed in a car accident caused by a drunk driver.
We are very good friends with his wife and son.
He just came home from his mission even.
She never remarried, it's been just the 2 of them.
My grandparents bought their burial plot a year before he passed away.
So all of these years when they would come to visit his grave, they wondered who
would be buried next him.
And if it couldn't get any more coincidental, they both are school teachers!
Including my Grandma and friend, who both will one day be buried next to their sweethearts.
I have no doubt my grandpa wasted no time get acquainted with his new pal:)
After the cemetery we headed to the church building for the funeral.
It was a wonderful service.
We didn't stay for the luncheon because we needed to meet up with the Goodman's in Tucson.
It was planned in advance to go to the temple open house then stay 2 nights in a resort.
Stephanie and Justin were SAINTS and offered to take our two boys with them!
I was not looking forward to them being disappointed in missing out.
They have 8 kids on their own so for them to do that meant a lot to us.
Bless them!!
At the temple Friday night, which was the same night as the viewing for my grandpa.
Saturday they hit the pool!
We got there late afternoon with the girls.
We wasted no time joining them!
Sipping on the good stuff:)
We filled up the back of the resorts dining room.
Luckily they had a kids buffet where they didn't have to wait for food to be made.
Corn hole after dinner.
The next morning was Fathers day!
We sure love our dad.
He puts up with a lot and always with a smile on his face:)
We went down to the breakfast buffet.
Then time to leave.
For Lane to fall asleep means he was pretty tired!
Go ahead and make yourself comfortable!
