Pays...

9 years ago today...this little...okay...not so little guy anymore ...entered our world. He opened up a new part of our heart that we didn't know existed...and we haven't been the same ever since! There is nothing that will light up our heart or our eyes more than this little generation that he heads...We're blessed beyond measure to have such a close relationship with Pdawg. It's a joy to play with him...even when we're feeling our age or to snuggle at sleep overs and watch movies! It's so fun to watch him excel in all the sports he loves..he truly is a natural athlete and shines at all he does! He's a tender big brother, who helps watch out for the little ones. He's especially a watch tower for his little sis! It's an honor that he wants us to play and experience all the joys of boyhood with him! We hope your 9th year is an awesome one! We love you to the Moon & Back a zillion times and more! Happy Birthday Paysers! Thanks for joining our family tree and being the first to call us Gramma & Grampa!

Together Again..or "Gone Home"....

This morning I took Brent & Linda to breakfast and then to the airport...the last of our family to leave from the week of celebrating and honoring our Mom, and of course that included our Dad...they go hand in hand-you really can't honor or speak of one of them, without including the other! My mind is swimming with so many thoughts and emotions that I don't know where to begin...

I'm sad today! Not for my Mom...she's happy and celebrating the reunion with my Dad, her sweetheart, or her "Honey" as they always called one another! I'm sad because...she's gone. They are both gone! I'm sad for me, selfish reasons! I'm sad, because my parents have now became part of the generations that we have looked at in pictures now, because that is all that is left! I can say to you that I truly HATE the disease Dementia...or Alzheimer's. That ugly disease may have robbed me of my Mom for the past 12-15 years...but it did not take away who my Mom was in the end...she left an amazing legacy and love of family. I'm honored to be such a part of her family! I'm honored to be called George & Nona's daughter...and yes, I'm honored to be "their baby"! That phrase use to annoy me...I'm not a baby I would say...but I was THEIR baby...and I'm honored to say that now~

We gathered as an entire family with siblings gathering and supporting and sustaining one another. We have been gathered for the past few years, even through many miles in the support of one another in the care taking. It WAS hard, but it was an honor and I wouldn't trade those days for anything. I still ask myself if I did enough...I should have gone to visit more! But you know what...I hear a soft whisper that I did do enough, that they noticed and appreciated all.

I felt pulled to the cemetery today, all alone, wanting to go by myself. I need this for closure. I need to see the grave covered. Don't ask why, I have no idea! I went...I cried..and sat and listened to the life around that quaint little town. Heard the birds and the small city feeling that is there on that block. I know why they chose that burial. It felt like home to Mom. I felt Mom & Dad near by...I felt their soft whisper of comfort and reply to me to "get on with it"...stop fussin~they were happy! Almost felt like saying out loud, "Okay already!"

I'll get on with it alright, but I need a day or two to cry a bit. I'm told that is healthy!

summer time means lots of back yard fun!

whether it's on the grass on in the water...we LOVE the summer time. Payson cannot get enough of the kick ball and baseball. He keeps us jumping and playing hard! Love it!

We're pretty sure we have the cutest Grandkids on the planet! We feel so blessed that each one of our family is such a part of our lives, right here so close to us. We can have Gramma & Grampa time pretty much ANYTIME we want. They just make our heart smile...as do our kids, but these 5...well, they are just a bonus!

Taylorsville Days are always fun around our area. We had the boys over for a sleep over and we went to the fireworks over at the park. Kallie was not a fan at all...laid under a blanket curled into Chris the whole show. Talan was afraid they would fall on him, but when he relaxed, he thought they were cool!

I'm TWWOOO!~~ and I'm in charge! just ask me!

Preslie turned 2 on 6-18-2011. She's such a little girl, but LOVES to keep up with her brothers in any way she can. My boooys she calls them. Where's my booys...We celebrated at the splash park with pizza and cake. We had a mean game of kick ball and everyone joined in. Preslie played some, but was more interested in the splash park and Brandyn's dad took care of that with her! I love watching her little personality come alive. She's a Momma's girl, a Daddy's girl, and even a Grandma's girl. Can't deny that I just love that! She looks like Rick don't ya think! She makes me smile!

Payson & Talan were both in baseball this spring. Mick & Brandyn pretty much spent their months of April through June at the basefield diamonds between the two boys. They both love it, and excel at it as well. Payson's team even won the championship. That was a fun game to be at. Not sure who was most excited, Mick or Pays...We love supporting the kids at any event they participate in!

Mindee got married to Kerry Baum on 6-8-2011. What a lucky man he is! We love our Mindee! She has always been such a sparkle of delight when she walks into the room. She just makes you smile and we're happy she has found happiness again! They live in Holladay near us for a change. Kerry begain his medical residency on 6-13-2011. He'll be busy at the hospital 6 days a week...it will be a tough road for them for a while, but oh...so worth it! We need some Mindee time!

Rick & I bought some bikes...a little gift from my Dad let's say. We bought them June 3rd and rode down the Jordan Pathway to Gardner Village. We stopped at the candy store and had a treat and headed back. My legs weren't as tired as my behind. I believe we will need to invest in some better seats...ouch! Tonight I begged to go for another ride. We left later, about 8ish...not a good plan. I had a whole meal of bugs. We'll have to remember the bug spray if we go that late again, and hope that the city sprays along that river as well. The water is high and we wondered if the trail would be closed. It wasn't up to 6400 South, but we didn't go much past that tonight. After helping a fallen rider, I decided I had enough of the bug meal! Rick was just along for the ride, to accompany me. He's such a good patient man...

Mickie planned a barbecue for a double date with Chris & Jessie and Jessie's sister (Brett & Jennilyn Wright)...So...that's what they did Monday Memorial Day night. Shawn & Ang had plans with her family so Rick & I were at home. I decided I better go see Mom. I missed Sunday. Rick didn't really want to go, and that's okay. Sometimes, I would rather go alone...only sometimes! I decided while I was out, I would head to the cemetery. I had planted a pot for Dad's and I haven't been to my Grandparent's for quite sometime, so I did the tour. Went to Dad's, Steven's, and Grandma & Grandpa's, then called Rick and told him I was picking him up to go to his Sister's grave. It's such a solemn visit, not sure how I feel about it. Mick kept asking me when I was going and I kept putting it off...haven't really made it a habit to visit...their not there. But it's a sacred place and I feel that when I'm there. I think I will make it a yearly thing now. Include the family if they want to come. I actually visited at Dad's, without a tear for the first time. Sadness, and longing for his presence, but knowing he's without pain now and that's good! And wondering....wondering when Mom will be able to join him. I wonder if he know's that plan or if he's in the dark as much as we are! Mom told me on May 1st that she was leaving in a month...I guess she changed her mind!

SUMMMEERRRR!

My favorite time of year...didn't think it would EVER arrive, but it has and I love the heat and the sun and the activities. Just not enough time in the day or days off to do all we want!

Memorial Day weekend generally kicks the summer time off...rained, snowed, and even showed a little bit of sunshine that weekend....but we tried to enjoy it in spite of the indecisive weather.

Saturday night, I surprised Rick with Real Salt Lake Tickets...it was suppose to be stormy, and neither of us were excited about it, but the tickets were bought so we sucked it up. It wasn't too bad, but we're bad luck. They lost and gave up their winning streak. We left jsut before the 85th minute, cause the rain had really opened up. My shield neighbors that were sitting next to me left at half time, so now I was wetter and colder. Rick had enough. He said, let's leave at the 85th minute, and about that time, the Seattle Sounders scored again. It was now 2-0...sorry Real...no loyalty at this point...we're out of there! Real did score while we were running to our car, but still a loss. Chris said we're bad luck...whatever. I would like to go again, but when it's warm!

One Sunday night, we had our family over for dinner. Payson had a school project to make something to sell at school...so his parents suggested jump ropes....it became a family project! Turned out pretty good if you ask me! They were a hit at school too! Jessie, a good friend of Chris's joined us and treated us with a song with the guitar. The kids really dug this! Especially Talan who is going to be a "Rockstar"...she showed them how to strum and make it sound different ways. Pretty brave for a young woman to come and sing to a family she barely knows. It was cute and tender. We really like her!

Monday, we decided to hit the zoo....weather would not stop us! We saw it all....snow, rain, then even some sun! I bought a zoo pass for Christmas, but a little disappointed as it's under a lot of construction. Kids didn't seem to mind though...Hopefully we can use it a few times to make it all worth it!