Memorial Day

A tradition of my parents on Memorial Day is to go to the graveside of their parents and clean the headstones and put flowers out. I haven't ever had the opportunity to do this since we are usually with Scott's family during Memorial Day.

Today was such a special day. Scott and I were able to discuss the importance of Memorial Day, death, and respect for the dead with our children. We explained what a cemetery is, we talked about death and why people die. What happens after people die. As we were walking around Paige noticed a statue of Christ and asked why Jesus was at the graves. This was a perfect opportunity for us to discuss the importance of the savior and what he has done for us. I explained that when we die our spirit leaves the body and goes to the spirit world; and our body, lifeless without the spirit, is usually buried in the earth. We talked about because we are mortal, we do not have the power to reunite our bodies and spirits by ourselves. Jesus the only one who could save us. He was sinless; he was Heavenly Father’s Only Begotten Son in the flesh and had power over death.

It was very spiritual for me to go and visit where my grandparents were buried, my great aunt, and other relatives. I felt very close to my Heavenly Father as I talked with our children and explained how wonderful the plan of salvation is. We truly are a family and will be together forever. I could feel the bonds beyond the grave.

Paige and Trent were standing at a graveside admiring the headstone. They both were looking down and looking like they were paying their respects. I felt compelled to capture them.

Memorial Weekend 2009

Memorial weekend is usually the time when we make our 10 hour drive to Bridgeport, California for Scott's family camping tradition. This year we weren't able to make it with the family (it actually has been two years since we've attended the family tradition). We are hoping to get there next year with the whole family.

This year, we spent Memorial weekend with my parents, my brother Shawn and his son Jacob. We arrived at my parents house on Friday. I kept telling the kids that we were going camping. They were so excited to sleep out in the 5th wheel trailer with just Grandma - no parents.

Today we went fishing at the hatchery. Grandpa is the only one who caught any fish (3).

After fishing, we had a picnic and swam at Thousand Springs hot springs.

We had a great time swimming. Emmett loves being in the water. He didn't want anyone holding him, he just wanted to be on his own. Obviously he couldn't because he doesn't know how to swim. Emmett loved to float on his back. At the pool there was a high dive, a low dive and a tube slide. Finally after a monetary convincing, Garhett jumped off the high dive. He was so brave jumping in 12 feet deep and then swimming to the side. Great job Garhett! Now mom has to pay up! (it's worth it, I love to see my children overcome their fears and try something new).

When swimming came to an end, we met up with my brother Shawn and his son Jake and went to Hagerman, to see the fossil beds. This weekend happened to be Fossil Days in Hagerman. So after visiting the center, we walked down to the festivities and enjoyed an elephant ear!

What a great day! We went back to the house for some fried chicken!

Today we played some lawn games. We started out with lawn darts, bocce ball, and then some crochet. Our kids learned today that they come from a very competitive family (starting with their grandparents, parents, and uncle). We had a lot of victory dancing, trash talking, and awhole lot of fun going on!

Today we decided to take a drive to see Shoshone and Twin Falls and hoped the water was pouring over like a couple of weeks ago. No such luck.

Paige had enough today and I couldn't resist taking her "melt down" picture.









We ended our fun filled day with roasting marshmellows and making smores over the fire.