February was one of our busier months. My sweet Grandpa Gus passed away so I flew to Salt Lake with 3 week old Brigham and 19 month old Easton (who had to get his own ticket since I only have one lap!) Blaine flew out the following day after school.
I thought giving him the iPad would make the flight super easy-- just let him watch his beloved Tarzan or Olaf for 2 hours, but that didn't last long. Nonetheless, we did very well, considering.
so small!
We were only there for about 2 days, so it was a busy, quick trip. But we got to see most everyone (ALL the blood relatives) from that side of the family.
My whole family was able to snap a quick picture outside the church, but Abbie missing since she's still on her mission. She was able to FaceTime for the funeral, though. Her mission president is actually in my grandparents' stake.
Plus, Grandma got to meet Brigham, whose middle name is after her husband :)
My brothers went through Grandpa's closet and were able to keep a couple things like this letterman sweater and jacket from when he played baseball at the University of Wyoming. At the family dinner, all of Grandpa's ski trophies and medals were the centerpieces so I kept 2 medals, one for each of my boys that were alive when he was.
Each of the grandsons (and grandsons-in-law, but there was no difference in his mind) got to pick out one of Grandpa's ties and wear it to his funeral. He wrote his autobiography, planned the whole funeral program, and even wrote his obituary. It was really impressive and special.
If you're interested, you can read it
here.
I hope I get to live a long and active life, as well, and when the time comes, also be able to say that I got to enjoy almost every good thing that this life has to offer. He also expressed his love for the Lord, his family, and this country, which I echo. And lastly, he was extremely proud of his family. He never missed an opportunity to tell me that he's proud of me or thankful that I called. I really liked this line in his obituary, "The happiest thing in my life is that every single one of our offspring are doing very well. They have married well, are highly educated, and doing worthwhile things. We have been extremely blessed."
^^Austin chillin with his younger 2 nephews^^
After the funeral we had a family dinner at my aunt's house, and I looked over to find poor Easton laying on the ground cuddling her wooden bear decoration. What a sweetheart. He didn't have any naps while we were there and was a good sport.
This church has been the place for my baptism, all 5 of my siblings baptisms, and both my grandpas' funerals... and we've never lived there. But it's just home base and where all our extended family is.
Easton and Brigham also got to meet their cousins for the first time during this quick trip
(My sister's baby and then Blaine's brother's baby)
3 boy cousins in under 2 years
My family snuck down to Provo early one morning to go through the Provo City Center temple. It was beautiful and extra special since Blaine and I had been in there several times when it was a tabernacle and we lived 2 blocks away when it caught fire a couple years ago. While there, we also ran into Grandpa Brigham Young. Austin was rockin' the facial hair and lovely, long locks. Brigham shares the name and possibly the reddish-tinted hair? Stay tuned on that one.
