Family

This Thanksgiving I am really grateful for family. My dad's mother passed away November 12, 2011 and we celebrated her life this past weekend in Utah. It was wonderful that so many could gather together on short notice to support my grandpa and reflect on my grandma's life; all but 4 grandchildren were able to attend the funeral. During the funeral services, I loved hearing from my dad's brothers and sisters about their memories of Grandma. There were some very tender moments, but I also was able to learn things about my grandma's life that I didn't know. To sum up my grandmother's life, she led a life of service and charity. She had a testimony of Jesus Christ, and her greatest hope for all of her posterity was to continue our faith and honor the covenants we have made in the temple. Most of my memories of my grandma are before I moved from Utah when I was 7. She loved having her grandchildren over, and I could always feel that love. I loved my grandma's house because she would give me sugar cereals, which weren't allowed at my house; she always had candy or treats. We played games frequently at her house. I loved playing games with all my cousins in the basement of her house...lots of "Murder in the Dark" as we grew older and visited for Christmas. Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa's involved gathering around the player piano and singing Christmas songs. It was also so special to have my grandparents at my wedding in 2006.

My grandma was diagnosed with kidney cancer several years ago. I remember gathering for one "final" family reunion in 2007 when I was pregnant with Caleb. We did not expect my grandma to live much longer. I was earning my Master's Degree at the time and was able to finagle my way out of a mandatory class because my grandma was pretty much on her deathbed. She was a fighter though and continued to fight in order to take care of my grandpa who struggles with Alzheimer's. It was difficult to see my grandpa deal with the funeral. Some days he is more lucid than others. We're hoping that he will be able to join her soon and continue the mission they have led on earth on the other side.

Some pictures from the funeral:

My grandma and grandpa on their wedding day

All my aunts and uncles on my dad's side.

Saying goodbye

Grandma loved the bagged pipes

Sisters

All the male grandchildren minus my brother Jared.

Dad's 4 sisters and 1 brother + Grandpa

Our family minus some spouses and Jared's family. Lots of closed eyes in this picture :o)

I was really grateful to be able to attend. Matt stayed home with the kids and amazed me when I got back with how well he survived 3 days alone with the kids. I came home to an impeccably clean house! His sacrifice was very much appreciated.

No!

Carter's in a really fun stage right now. He's finally starting to outgrow some of his "naughty" behavior that was a result of not being able to communicate very well. Now that he is talking more, or at least able to pull my hand and point to what he wants if I'm not understanding him, he resorts to biting, pinching, or pulling hair a lot less. :o) The funniest thing about him right now is that he answers "No" to most every question. Our typical conversations might look like this:

Me: Carter, would you like to go on a walk?

Carter: No

Me: Would you like to stay inside?

Carter: No

Me: Would you like to play with toys?

Carter: No!

Me: Would you like to read stories?

Carter: NO!

Me: Carter, it's time to get ready for bed.

Carter: No

Me: Let's go take a bath.

Carter: No

Me: Would you like to stay up really, really late and play?

Carter: No!

Me: Would you like to eat lots and lots of candy?

Carter: NO!

The more questions I ask, the more emphatic his "no" becomes. I can no longer joke around with asking silly questions for my entertainment, however. In an example like the 2nd one above, when I asked him if he wanted a treat instead of dinner, he said, "Otay" with a big smile on his face.

On more than one occasion, I've heard Carter talking in his crib late at night. I've put my ear to the door to listen to what he was saying to see if he was awake. Instead, he was dreaming and calling out "No" over and over in his sleep. It makes me chuckle.

Here he is at about 20 months. I took this picture this morning, so you can see that it is a balmy 78 degrees right now. I just arrived home from Utah yesterday (post to come) and got made fun of for one of my dressy outfits I brought to wear; it wasn't winter attire. With the warm winter I'm experiencing right now, I forget what appropriate winter attire includes! I tried to capture a picture where Carter was displaying his teeth. He has all his teeth except for the two next to his upper front teeth. It's so strange as most toddlers get those teeth right away!

Dressing-up

Caleb and Carter had the opportunity to dress up 4 times this Halloween. Carter loved every minute of it! He would have worn his dinosaur costume day in and day out if I would have let him.

Caleb the pilot at a church Halloween party

Love Carter's smile

Matt and I enjoyed dressing up for a friend's Halloween party this year. Caleb had the opportunity to dress up in a few different costumes (that I bought for preschool), and he loved having options.

Trick-or-treating

Caleb had so much fun. We went for awhile in my sister's neighborhood with Grandma and Grandpa. Then Caleb and Matt went longer in our neighborhood while I put Carter to bed and passed out candy. Carter held Grandma or Grandpa's hand the entire time and would have nothing to do with Mommy or Daddy!

What a fun holiday and fun time of year! Perfect weather too!