Grandma's Funeral

Some people don't believe in taking pictures at funerals. But it seems that funerals and weddings are sometimes the only occasions that get the entire family together. My grandmother was the family photographer for years. She's got boxes of pictures to prove it. As I got out of the car after driving to the Brigham City Cemetary, my hand rested on my camera...should I take pictures or not? Obviously I chose the former and it was the best choice! And I know that my picture taking Grandmother would have definitely approved!

What a beautiful celebration of some of the things my grandma loved the most...all her family, the sharing of good memories, lots (and lots) of laughter and beautiful flowers. What a tribute to a wonderful woman. I think my whole family was overwhelmed by how many of the extended family came in the middle of a work week to remember and celebrate Grandma. She would have loved to have been there, and I'm sure from the other side, she enjoyed the whole event. 

larry, adam, chris, cooper, sam, sarah, rachel, penny (i think) and heather

leanne, lori, gina, aunt jean, nicole and lisa

jay, heidi, tosh, kristen

mar and ross

the pallbearers: wayne, carl, craig, steve, brad, dave, todd and dad

jack, lee, dorene, mom, steve, geri, christin, grandpa, craig, dad

adam, dave, lisa with andrew, ethan, chris, sarah, laurie, larry, sam, rachel and penny

amy and caulder, mom and craig

tom, melinda, brooke, bonnie and brad

mom, tom, melinda, brooke, bonnie and brad

mom, tom and bonnie

kelly and beth-baby

happy christin

john, lorraine and steve

steve, christin and lori

geri, steve and christin

grandpa, dad, lee and dorene

christin and little larry

lisa, leanne, nicole and jack

larry and craig discussing ties

jean and grandpa

geri, steve, craig, mom, me, christin, grandpa and dad

the girls

*from this point on, Christin took over the camera duties. She did an excellent job. And I must say she has a way of getting the best smiles out of people!

we decided to take some family photos. here's all the cousins who were there.

and here's all the first cousins...they're a rough crowd to get to cooperate. :)

christin wanted her picture with the tall boys, ethan and sam.

The whole day was lovely. It was great to hear some timeless stories about Grandma and be surrounded by the people who loved her and will miss her the most. 

I delight in 6 month challenges.

Let's talk about how much I love general conference.

I LOVE GENERAL CONFERENCE!

While I was only able to watch about 65% of conference (I may have fallen asleep and stayed asleep for an entire session...I can't even remember when the last time I did that was! AH!) I loved it and have loved catching up on what I missed.

So many answered prayers, valued treasures, and revelations to feast on for years to come.

I will share more about themes, thoughts, and thinking points later but for now, I want to share a little challenge I am embarking on.

For the next 6 months, I will listen to/or read a general conference talk every single day. 

I can't tell you how jazzed I am about this. I have had and held myself to the goal of reading the entire conference Ensign before the next general conference for years now, but never before have I read or listened to one every single day.

Two days in and I'm good! Now only 150+ (my brain is way to tired to do math right now) days to go!

Please join me! It's not too late. Just listen to a few extra's and we will count you as all caught up!

I can only imagine how I will feel about general conference by October as I listen to something from the living prophet's every single day.

Heavenly Father loves his children! He wants us to be happy and successful and to know how best to protect ourselves and our families in the world we live in so we can return home.

beautiful wedding in beautiful idaho...sarah and bryan get married!

Back in April, my Dad and I ventured up to Idaho Falls for my cousin Sarah's Wedding. On that side of the family, I don't have any first cousins but I've been blessed with so many second cousins and extended family who are just fabulous! I love getting to spend time with them and celebrating such exciting times with them. On this day, my cousin Gretchen went through the temple and Sarah married Bryan!  Here's the photographic documentation of a long but AMAZING day!

somewhere between utah and idaho, hello sunrise

 since we're here...why not do a session! that's my general motto when it comes to temples! :)

               

 i really love these happy pictures!

 such happy newlyweds!

 love these sweet cousins of mine! 

 idaho has the best clouds!

 because we couldn't wait any longer for food and we need no excuse to hit up nielsen's!

                 sisters? they only look a little related...

 the baby cousins in their matching outfits!

 i will happily snuggle all babies...and so i did.

 sarah's dress is so incredible! i love love it! such a great looking couple!

 classy cake!

 i love these women!  i look up to them so much!

and then the day was over. awesome day. awesome family. awesome events!

so blessed!

"I has a ten happies"

just read that like a maritimer and you'll realize your day is better all ready!

ten happies
1. singing songs from frozen during treatment sessions
2. having curly hair
3. autism awareness day
4. loving people
5. having two boys staring at me at the end of institute (good thing i was too tired to formulate appropriate words and all i could muster was, see ya.)
6. kisses from christin (sweetest sister ever!)
7. coming up with new and effective tx ideas
8. talking to best friends!
9. praying in my car
10. electric blankets

i keep seeing the hashtag #100happydays. i can't help but think EVERY TIME I SEE IT, only 100 happy days? how about hashtag #everyhappyday (i don't know if its a thing or just my thing). life should be happy but happiness is a choice. it's just one i choose everyday. and on exhausted days like today...i need to list them out. join me.