our family went up to daddy's parents house for turkey day this year. it was a wonderful time of relaxing, eating, and family...what more is there than that?

at the dinner table, Avery told us that she had written a Thanksgiving speech. it was very cute, educational, and festive!


Liv (who had just woken up from a nap), was in charge of ringing the dinner bell, and she loved having that job!


the girls in their cute shirts! :)


Nana Judy let the girls have the adult glasses with some punch! Avery doesn't look happy at all in this photo, because...look to the next photo...


she was super nervous and anxious about the meal that was sitting in front of her! Nana had made her a meal that was free of milk, eggs and peanuts, and she was not excited at all about that.

um, yeah...she didn't touch it at all...

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we put all our names on the fun scrabble board...{and scribbled daddy's name off :)}


on Friday, Uncle DJ, Aunt Rachelle, and cousins Noah and Blake came over to see us! We loved seeing them! Avery was very interested in Noah, and I think he liked her too! ;)


check out Mr. blue eyes! he's soooo cute! :)


we went over and visited great grandma Hilda, and the kids kept themselves busy running around!


all the little ones with great grandma Hilda


we had such a nice time there, and we will be going back in a couple weeks for Christmas! :)

i guess i finally need to blog about our trip back home for grandma Vicki's funeral.


Olivia had wanted to make some M&M cookies with Nana for quite some time!

they had lots of fun! anything with chocolate, and this girl is all over it!

she ate almost a while bowl full of those little buggers all by herself!


Avery was very quiet and to herself the whole time we were there. i think she was very aware of what was taking place, and was processing everything. most of the time she was writing her story that she's been working on, or reading a book....


or cuddling with one of the dogs...this one is Claire...she's a puggle.


Uncle Josh and Aunt Kathryn, and Crystal. that's grandma's old Christmas quilt over the couch...looks like something a grandma would have, doesn't it?


one of the most precious memories that i hope to retain of grandma, happened as we were sitting with her bible at the table. it was so enjoyable to flip through the pages, to see her handwriting on different pages, and just feel the life that once was reading it...


I had to take a deep breath when i came to this page, and saw a little scribble that she had made...


looking closer, my eyes began to well up as i caught a little glimpse into her prayers....she will never know how much that meant to me right at that moment. i think if i would have seen it at any other time in my life, it would have meant nothing....but now, now it means something...


her visitation and funeral was on Saturday, November 20th. this was her guest book table. the photo on the left was taken at my wedding 10 years ago...that is the dress she was buried in. the photo on the right was taken probably about 6-7 years ago...


so many wonderful photos of my grandmother filled this hallway...it was very therapeutic going through the photos and making all of these photo collages, and re-visiting all of the memories with her.





mom, placing the last pin my grandfather bought grandma on her...


her beautiful hands, with the corsage that she wore on my wedding day 10 years ago...


the flowers were beautiful! if she were to have seen them, she would have giggled and loved them!


there was a small corsage of 6 flowers for her 6 great granddaughters.


Nana, Uncle Josh, and Liv saying final goodbyes to grandma...

Avery and Nana saying final goodbyes before casket is closed...




Aunt Becky and Cousin Caitlin helped a lot with the ceremony, and we were so grateful to them!


Liv must have had a lot of catching up to do with them! :)


the girls brought a nice happiness and joy to the sadness of the day. i'm so thankful for them.


uncle Josh and Liv


at the graveside service...Uncle Josh and our cousin Heidi...love her...


i love this picture. my cousins and uncle are in it, yes. and my husband and brother are too. but my dad is. that's why i love it. before my grandpa died, there were many conversations made about who was to take care of this and that with her and what his wishes were. my dad made promises to him that he would do everything in his power to take care of her and carry out grandpa's wishes for her. and now, his promise is fulfilled....well done, dad....well done. grandpa would be ever so proud.


in our family, grandpa would have us do this silly thing where we would hold hands and do a word prayer at holidays. before my brother led us in the last prayer, he asked us all to hold hands as he prayed, in honor of that...it was so precious and sweet, and the right thing and the right moment.


at the 'reception', we had a meal that grandma would have made, and lots of fun conversation and memories. it was a great time to catch up with family that we don't get to see much, and to introduce my girls to family they have never met. Liv got to meet my cousin Heidi, and i think they hit it off!

Avery managed to sneak away writing her story for a minute for a picture too!

here are grandma and grandpa's children...Linda, my mom, Kathy, and Glenn...


after the reception, I wanted to drive by the graveside again....my brother Josh placed a rose by her and grandpa's stone....


later that night we went and did some more stuff with family, and Liv and Josh had some fun at the local McD's!



I think Liv has made a forever friend in Josh!


Liv and Bapa reading....


Nana and Avery being ever sooooo silly!


on our way out of town, we drove by grandma and grandpa's old house. so many memories in this house. they lived 5 houses away from me as i was growing up, so they weren't typical grandparents...i was so blessed, and still am, that they were mine!

bapa Craig gives Livie a $5 bill and says...

"you can use 1/2 for going out to eat 1/2 for saving"...

Liv then proceeds to take the $5 and rip it in 1/2.

smart girl, huh? :)