Nannie's weekend

Nannie's funeral was to be held on July 25th.  I drove to California with Jenna and Don.  We left on Friday morning.  It was so fun to spend time with them.  With all of our busy lives this was probably the most time we have spent together in a long time.  We stopped for lunch at Juan's Flaming Fajitas in Vegas and then made it to Cali around 4:30pm.  The drive went so fast as we chatted the whole time.  As soon as we pulled into Jenna's time share, Tara arrived.  We ordered PF Changs for dinner and just relaxed.  Around 8pm Brennan, Cory, and Holly came over.  We all sat and visited.  I have not laughed like that in such a long time.  The only one missing was Jeremy.  We played games and hung out until 11pm.  It was so much fun.  The next morning we were all at the chapel at 9am. Jenna, Tara, and I wore leopard print shoes in honor of Nannie and her favorite blouse.  We had a family prayer and then we all closed the casket.  I really thought that I would not get too emotional knowing that she is in a much better place but before the funeral began we watched a slide show.  As I watched all of the pictures of Nannie with my kids I got choked up.  This was the start of the tears.  Gary Brunner conducted the funeral and Cory gave the opening prayer.  My mom gave a lift sketch and then the memory share started.  It was so neat to hear all of the memories each of her grandchildren shared.  I had a really difficult time composing myself but once I did here is what I shared: "When my mom asked me to share a memory of Nannie I started thinking about what I would share. I fell so lucky to have so many memories of time spent with my Nannie.  She was an amazing grandma.  I loved having sleepovers at her house and watching the sound of music together.  I remember the excitement I would feel as I would come out of the elementary school and see her parked in her Monte Carlo ready to take us out for a hamburger.  I remember when I was asked to prom and Nannie took me shopping for a dress.  She bought me a beautiful teal taffeta dress and her only request was that she got a picture of my by myself in the dress.  She kept that picture in her dresser drawer.  I will never forget the look on her face when she saw us leave for a school dance in Uncle Ron's car.  I loved all of our phone calls.  For a long time I would call her every Tuesday and we would chat about the Bold and the Beautiful.  I loved visiting with her after I moved to Utah.  I feel so blessed that she got to spend time with her great-grand children.  I loved all of her stories about how she still could turn heads at any age and her spunky personality.  I will miss you Nannie but find comfort in knowing you are with Poppie, Uncle Ron, and Koby.  Thank you for being such a gift in my life."  The funeral ended with Brennan singing Be Still My Soul.  We then went to the graveside where Brennan sang "Heavenly Day' and Don dedicated the grave.  It was a perfect tribute to Nannie and I would not have changed a thing.  After the funeral we all went to El Torito for lunch.  It was so fun to sit and visit with everyone.  We then went over to Nannie's house and went through some of her things. We found a lot of pictures that were so fun to go through.  We also found a book in her nightstand with advice on how to get a man.  So funny!  We then went back to the time share and ordered pizza for dinner.  We were all so tired so we went to bed right after 9pm.  We got up early on Sunday to travel home.  It was again so fun to spend time with Jenna and Don.  The silver lining of this tough weekend was getting to spend time with my siblings.  I am so grateful for my close relationships I share with them.  I am so grateful for all of the time that I had with Nannie.  Since my parents were so young when Jenna and I were born, she really helped raise us.  She is such an example of strength and I will miss her so much.  So thankful for my testimony and the knowledge I have that I will see her again.  Love you Nannie!

Luke's Turn

 

Today was Luke's turn to spend a few hours with his mom.  I don't know if he was super excited but that changed after he was spoiled with new school clothes.  We decided to go to Tillys and see if they had anything that he might like.  This store was perfect for Luke's style.  He was able to get all of his shopping done at one place and was super excited to find a lot of clothes he liked.  I wish is was a little cheaper but it makes me so grateful that we can afford to get them all new clothes for school.  After the shopping was done we went to Chili's to get some lunch.  It was so fun to get to chat with Luke about life.  He asked about missions and talked about the upcoming school year.  He is such a great kid and I am so grateful for the relationship that I have with him.

Mr. Independent

Today I asked Tag to get ready for ABI. Usually he wears a hat but today he insisted on doing his own hair.  He did a great job and if he doesn't shower his hair will stay in this style for weeks due to the amount of hairspray he used!  He is growing up too fast!  Such a cute boy.

Labyrinth Games

 I found a deal on Groupon and decided to take the kids to do the Labyrinth Escape Rooms.  Ever since we took Gray on his date the kids have all wanted to go.  I took my computer so that I could work while they all tried to master the rooms.  They had such a great time.  I love that I can still take them to do fun things even though my summer has been spent behind my laptop.  I am so grateful that they all get along and have fun doing these activities together.

First Mara in the Family

 

Today Nash went to the orthodontist to start his braces process.  He is scheduled to get his actual braces on the day before school starts but today he got his Mara.  This is an appliance that goes on the roof of his mouth.  We have a key that we will turn for the next three weeks to slowly expand his jaw.  He will wear the Mara with his braces for the first 12-14 months.  I am excited to see the changes in this cute boy's smile.  Dr. Horsley has said that Gray and Tag will need the Mara also.  Nash is showing them how it is done.  Good thing Nash is so good with routine- I know that he will remind me daily to turn the key.

My Nannie

For thee last few months Nannie has been struggling.  A nurse was hired to spend some time each morning and evening with her but it was clear that she could not be by herself.  My parents decided to go and get her in California and move her up to Utah.  She was moved into the Covington House a memory care facility.  I was so excited to have her close. Due to COVID we could not go and visit her in person but we would go an visit with her through the window.  The caretaker would put a phone up to her ear and we could chat with her.  I loved seeing her but her health and mind deteriorated quickly.  I went and visited her on Tuesday and I called my Mom to tell her that Nannie seemed so out of it.  It was difficult to carry on a conversation.  She went to the hospital on Thursday and she was diagnosed with a UTI and given antibiotics.  On Sunday morning my mom got a call that the nurse went to check on her and she had not taken her medicine and she still had food in her mouth from the night before.  My mom showered quickly and was going to go over and take her to the hospital.  When my mom got out of the shower she had a missed call from the care facility.  Nannie had passed away around 8:45am.  Joey and I met my parents, Don, Brennan, Jenna, and Kyler at the home.  We got to go in two at a time to say goodbye.  Joey and I were the third group to go in.  It was super difficult for me. I was so grateful to have Joey there with me.  He asked me to come and sit by him on the couch.  I was crying and Joey asked me to tell him some of my greatest memories of Nannie.  I was so grateful to switch from the grief of loss to remembering the good times.  The arrangements will be made and her funeral will be held in California.  I want to do all that I can to be there.  I am really going to miss my Nannie.  I do love thinking about the wonderful reunion she had with Poppie after being apart for 34 years.

Part Human

Since Ike is a "KSL dog" as the kids like to call him, we do not know for sure what type of dog he is.  We joke that he is part human.  I love this picture as it looks like he is sitting like a man.  We are so grateful for our sweet baby dog.  He is truly part of the family.

Everyone has their own room

 

 It was quite a job to get the Toy Room and Harlee's Toy Room emptied out.  We all worked together, Tag used old costumes to dress his Mario and Luigi.  So cute!  It was a long day but we got it done!  Everyone has a queen bed, spoiled kiddos!  Luke is now in the old toy room and Nash is in Harlee's old toy room.  We moved Gray to Nash's old room and Tag kept their room.  They all love it!  I am so excited that they will all have their own space and this will be a true test to see who is the messiest!

Gray's Date

 Now that things are starting to open back up we decided to get back to our Christmas Eve dates.  It is Gray's turn.  We took him do the escape rooms called Labyrinth.  He got to go with a friend last year and has spoken of it often.  We were so excited to go and do them with him.  It was so fun to watch Gray figure things out.  He is so smart.  I was so grateful to be there with Gray and Joey because I could not figure any of the rooms out on my own.  We tried almost all of the rooms and we were able to complete one.  Each room had three parts to it.  We usually could get past the first one or two parts but the third was challenging.  Our favorite was called Shoot the Moon.  The first room was like skeeball.  That was super fun.  After spending about 1 1/2 hours there we left to go to lunch.  Gray wanted to go to Taco Amigo but the dining room was not open.  He opted to go to his second choice Chubbys.  It was so fun to get to sit and chat with him.  I loved hearing about his life and getting to spend some time with just him.  I love these dates.  I kind of feel like they are more for me then the child that gets to go.  Such a great day.

Passing the torch

Now that Luke has a job we thought that it would be good for Nash to learn how to mow the lawn.  Joey taught him how to use the mower and then Nash took off!  He did a really good job.  I think that Luke and Nash will alternate weeks with the mowing that way they both have the opportunity to earn a little money.  So proud of you Nash and the lawn looks great!

Gray's Turn

Today was Gray's turn for his lunch/school shopping date.  We dropped Tag off at therapy and we went to TJ Maxx. We found a couple of shirts and then headed over to Ross.  They had so many options and we were able to finish his school shopping.  After shopping Gray chose Astro Burger for lunch.  It was so fun to get to visit with him.  He is a such a great kid!  Gray had a hamburger and fries and then we shared a shake.  I loved hearing about his swimming and his excitement to start school.  I am so grateful for this time that I get to spend with each of them one on one.  

Bathroom Upgrade

The bathroom in the basement in St. George has always been a little scary.  We decided to take down some of Harlee's bathroom decor and freshen it up. We also went shopping for a new shower rod, towels, and decor for the counter.  My handyman taught himself how to do baseboards and put some new white ones in the bathroom.  I love it!  He also fixed the door so that it can stay shut.  I am sure that Nash and Har will be a lot more willing to use the bathroom now.  Looks so nice!

The rest of the week in our favorite place

After our day on the water we still had four full days left in St. George.  Joey and I had to work a lot but we also tried to make some time for fun.  The kids swam a lot, we visited with Tami, we went shopping, went to Fiesta Fun,and spent some time together.  On Friday we took Nash and Harlee on a hike to Toquerville Falls.  The drive to get there was crazy and we were so grateful for the truck.  We picked up some friends on the way up who's car would not make it.  The crazy drive was so worth it.  The falls were beautiful.  It always amazes me how such a beautiful creation can show up in the middle of no where.  Loved it!  On fourth of July we spent the day by the pool, did some shopping, and then watched the fireworks at night.  We drove over by Tom's Deli and had a perfect view.  It was so crazy when the mountain went up in flames.  Not sure which show to watch!  It was such a wonderful time in St. George.  I know I say this all of the time but I am so grateful for our place in St. George.  It is such a beautiful home where we get to make such wonderful memories together as a family.  So lucky!