It's What's Important

Merrill's Funeral was today and it was a really nice service and celebration of his life.  Merrill was such a wonderful man.  I know he sure meant a lot to my hubby.  Merrill influences everyone for the good.  I loved hearing about his last day here.  He knew it was his time and he was able to visit with his family...which is large.  The nurses at the hospital told Debbie that they had never seen anything like this before.  They loved that so many people were there to spend time with Merrill for his last day here on Earth.  Merrill had fun with his kids and tricked them a few times that he had passed.  He would open his eyes with a smile saying "I got the laugh last".  He talked to all his grands and they sat around his bed and they all sang together with Merrill.  I just think it was the perfect "last" day for Merrill.  He was a man that loved everyone and you felt it.  I always knew he loved and cared about me.  He made me and Larry feel like family.  A fun memory I have is when Merrill and Martha Mae came home from their mission.  We owned an old School Bus at the time and we drove the entire family down to pick them up.  It was so much fun having everyone together.  I love the women that Merrill spent his life with.  President Malone mentioned he had good taste in women and I agree.  Both Martha Mae and Beth are sweet, kind women.  I sat in the room with Martha Mae after she passed...it was a very surreal moment for me.  Beth immediately loved us because Merrill did.  I hope that I will be one that is able to express my love to others through my expressions and touch.  I love Merrill and his family....he is leaving a legacy of good.

After attending Merrill's funeral Larry wanted to go to the Temple. (he thought since we were dressed for it we might as well)  I told him I would love to but I needed a power nap. (I was up and down a few times with the grands during the night)  I was ready to go in less than half an hour.  I loved being at the Temple today.  I saw so many familiar faces of people that I absolutely love.  It added to the experience of the Temple.

Larry ran into Kellie and Kerry and we went to a quick dinner with them.  We went to Kneaders since it was fast and we both had other commitments.  I was really glad we ran into the Cooke's.  We love them and don't get together enough.  I love being surrounded by such awesome people.  I am truly blessed to live where I do.

We ended our day by attending the Reception of David Robinson.  It was quite a full day but a very good day.

Sleep Over at Gramma's (and grandpa's)

This weekend was the weekend I invited the grands to spend the night.  We usually have them over on Conference Weekend but changed it since Trichelle's littles were with their dads.  I liked this better because they had lots of time to play together.  I went and picked up Ivy first.  I actually forgot that Ivy got out early and was just planning on getting her at 3:00 until she called me asking me where I was.  I had text her earlier to tell her to hurry out which I am glad I did so when I wasn't there instead of waiting she called me.  I was getting pizza for tonight and so I was close to the freeway...I'm so glad and she didn't have to wait long.  There were lots of other kids still waiting to get picked up.  After we got her we picked up Zaden.  She squeals when he see's me which melts my heart.  On the way to my house Zaden was talking about how the other grands only love me but how he loves grandpa too.  They way he said it cracked me up....in fact, that he even said it all cracks me up.  Zaden refers to Grandpa Larry as a Gorilla. haha and every night when he reads a book that has the Gorilla's in it he refers to the big gorilla as grandpa and the little one as himself.  So funny and cute.  I let him know that the others love grandpa too.  I can't help but laugh.  Larry made things straight when he said our prayer before bed.  He told Heavenly Father he was glad the kids could come to Grandpa's house and totally left me out.  He's usually the one being left out and Ivy told him why.  As grandpa sat at the table visiting Trichelle while I did things with the grands Ivy pointed that out.  I guess if he wants to be included more he should participate with us more. 

I had a few fun things planned for the kids to do.  We put a bar of Ivory Soap in the microwave and watched it puff up like a cloud.  The kids tried molding it after put didn't really care of that.  They did think it was cool watching it grow.  It reminded me of marshmallows.

I had a bunch of hard boiled eggs ready for them to decorate and dye.  They were all very into it and we had a great time doing it.  We had a few get dropped but I told the kids not to worry they would just look prettier when they got peeled.

 I have been wanting to share my large chocolate bar with them so that I could take their pictures.  Tonight we did that.  Then we broke off pieces and I let them have it for their bed time snack.  I found out that a chocolate bar that big could also be used to hurt others.  I turned around with it and accidentally hit Mya with it.  I could tell it hurt her but she was brave and shook it off.  This chocolate is so fresh and good....

Another thing I had planned was to let the kids make monsters.  We used droppers to drop paint on their papers and then they folded their papers and smoothed out the paint.  They were so excited to open the papers and see their creations.  So excited in fact we had to get out more paper. 

They finished them on Saturday morning after letting the paint dry.  They all enjoyed are little activities and had a blast doing them all.  I had one more ready but didn't have time to do it...so we will save it for another day.

 I thought I'd try to be creative with their pancakes.  I usually just make Mickey Mouse because I can pour the batter into circles.  Today I used a little container and drew on the griddle.  The kids thought I was pretty cool and so that's all that matters.  They liked their designer pancakes.

The little's are so fun and they get away with standing on the bar when we have sleep overs.  Jordyn got to stay too because her other grandma got sick and Kevin and Julie had a late date.  She is such a good baby that I didn't mind.  I felt bad that she didn't feel good though. (she has a cough)  We decided when Parker was little that once the kids were big enough to want to stay that they could.

I hope the grands enjoy being together and making fun memories at "gramma's" (and grandpa's). ☺ We sure enjoy having them.  I look forward to many, many more sleep overs.  I sure do love these cute little ones I get to call mine! ♥

(notice that everyone was awake and playing but Zaden kept sleeping.  The poor kid even got stepped on a few times before getting up)