Grandma Skolmoski's Funeral

The circumstances for why my extended family gathered together were sad, but it was wonderful to see them and especially my parents who flew in from their mission from Copenhagen, Denmark. We spent the entire weekend chatting and catching up and enjoying being together (without kid interruptions!).  My grandma had dementia, and I know the last few years have been very difficult for my aunt, uncle, and cousins caring for her. The morning she passed away, we had been fasting as a family that she would join my grandpa. We know they were excited to be together again.

Thursday night viewing

Mom and her siblings

Friday morning funeral

The pallbearers (all the male grandchildren in attendance)

Waiting for the funeral to begin

Mom and her siblings

Mom and her older sister, Stephanie

Pete and his family

Pete joked with my grandma that he would wear her crocheted rags that she was always working on at her funeral. I thought it was such a sweet sentiment.

My family

My siblings (minus Clayton)

Mom and her girls

All the grandchildren, minus a few

Cousins

Ali and I went to Academy for Girls together every summer growing up

Temple Square 

This is where my dad proposed to my mom

Temple square visitor's center

City Creek shopping center

Kolaches for breakfast Saturday morning

Kolaches aren't super popular in Utah. Funny enough we found out the owner of the Salt Lake and Provo stores is actually from Sugarland, TX and had a lot of TX paraphernalia in the store.

Provo City Center temple

We did a session together.

Late night pizza after the temple session

Something severely lacking in the funeral/viewing was people sharing memories of my grandma. I wish that could have been a part of it since I don't feel like I knew her as well having moved away from Utah when I was 7. So after pizza, my parents shared memories of my mom's parents.

Another thing forever memorable and so special about the trip is that my dad gave us all priesthood blessings that night. Such a powerful experience all together. 

I debated over and over again about going because it was last-minute, plane tickets were expensive, my husband couldn't get time off work, and I would be asking a lot from people to help take care of my boys (baseball games!). I am forever grateful to Matt's mom and Kari for helping so that I could have this unforgettable experience. Some things you just can't put a price tag on!