Remembering...

We had a great Memorial Day and hope that you all did too! Probably the best thing for us was that Devin had the day off, the first one he has had in 5 weeks straight. He is doing an internship this summer, so between that and Smith's, he is working 65 hours a week or so. So needless to say, having the day off was a big deal! We went to Fairview to spend time with Devin's family and to have a delicious barbecue.

Of course, the day was also spent thinking about loved ones who have passed away. We got to visit Ky's grave, Devin's sister Shawna and her husband Slava's little boy, who died 10 years ago when he was just over a year old. I never got to meet Ky because I wasn't in the family at the time, but I feel that he is an important member of the family. This is last year. Ryder and Hallie at Ky's grave. Have you ever seen a child so fat? Seriously, the doctor thinks she is big now??? She has definitely slimmed down! I forget how big she used to be!

Here is the grave this year. Devin is in a floral arranging class and needed to design some flowers for a grave as part of his assignments, so he got to do the flowers for Ky's grave. I think he did a pretty good job.

I didn't get a picture of these two at the grave this year, but here they are enjoying some post-dinner popsicles. Mmmmmm. Yes, Hallie is shirtless....her shirt was white and who wants sticky yellow popsicle on a white shirt? Not me. Crazy how much they have changed. They look like kids now, not babies. (sad!)Speaking of babies, there are two more new ones, in addition to Kylie, in the family! Kylie is Shawna and Slava's, Dallin is Travis and Jenny's, and Brynlee is Alisa and Ren's. Brynlee was born the end of April and Dallin the beginning of May, exactly two weeks apart. They can be good friends, just like Hallie and Ryder, who were also born exactly two weeks apart. So fun. There is one more on the way, Jana and Karl's, this month, then no more babies for a while!

I was sad that I didn't get to see my family. Every year we have Memorial Day together at my Grandma's house and go decorate graves in Ashton as well as St. Anthony. This year, they also went to Chris's grave in Idaho Falls. Even though I was further away, I still thought of those we have lost in my family too, including great-grandparents (I am lucky enough to not have lost any grandparents to this point), Chris, my Uncle Charlie, and Cortney's husband Nic.

I am also grateful for the sacrifices of those who have served in the military. When we went to DC/Philly last summer, the most poignant thing for me was the Arlington National Cemetary. I think about the scene there a lot and what those people gave up to protect our freedom. It is a really amazing place. Go if you get a chance!

Ahem. Also. At risk of sounding like a broken record, I would still love for you to donate to the Relay for Life. This is a perfect way for you to help fund research for the American Cancer Society. I don't doubt that cancer has touched many of our lives in some way. Please help fight this terrible disease. I know that money is tight and the economy is bad, but I think you will be blessed for your contribution! :) Click the link on my sidebar to donate. And, please accept a BIG FAT Thank You from me.