Memorial Day 2016

This is a sacred weekend.  As long as I can remember, I have looked forward to the trek to cemeteries and the memories that surround us.  A time to reflect about those loved ones who gave us a piece of ourselves. Their lives were very much the foundation from which we came.  They handed down their genes, beliefs, and stories to us.  Since my boys were babies, we have been making Memorial Day weekend fun.

We decorated my parents graves in Provo early this year.  I so miss them.  Then we headed south to Sigurd, where my mother was born and raised.  Also her mother, and her grandmother were raised there. We have a long line of Dastrup relatives from Sigurd, Utah.  We spent the weekend With Mack and Norma Dastrup (Mack is my mother's cousin).  If you read this blog often, you may notice that we also spent Memorial Day with them last year.  It was a great time.  We have learned to love them so much, as they have welcomed us into their hearts and home.  And what a home it is!

I have missed this view!

Of course, the boys couldn't wait to get on the ATV's and ride all over Mack's property.

After a great meal and lots of visiting, we watched the day turn into night.

Sunday we attended the little Sigurd ward church service with Mack and Norma, which was quite inspiring.
Here are some pics of that morning.

We drove to Richfield and put flowers on my grandmother's and great grandparents graves. There are other Dastrup graves there also.

Then home for a feast in the formal dining room, before returning home.  The boys helped Norma prepare for the meal.

Lovely weekend.  Feeling so grateful.

My parents flowers

I'm sure their grandparents are so proud of them.

Walking in the late twilight

Micah and I went for a walk just before dark last night.  We talked and walked, and enjoyed the dark blue of the sky, as the darkness was closing in. So peaceful.

Transported

I have been curled up in a corner, reading "Fuel" by Naomi Shihab Nye.  She is a Palestinian American poet who is one of my favorites.  I love being moved into someone else's world for a few minutes, and really moved by the experience.

I remember the evening that I heard Carolyn Forche read her work.  Only a few poems into the reading, I stopped noticing anything else, or anyone else in the room.  It seemed that I could be her, through her experiences, know the way she felt in her memories.  I still hear her voice when I read her words.  A true voice can be so powerful.

Before and After, the Sequel

I had so much fun with those pics yesterday, I decided to add some more.  Enjoy.

Watching the neighbor's dog.

Camera shy doggie.

Cheese!  So easy.

Easter Bunny.                                                                                                                                             

Posing with little Lilia.                                                                                                                                     

July 4th in Tooele with cousins.                                                                                                                  

The loot!                                                                                                                                                    

                 

Pull it together, Boys.  We are going to be up all night setting these off.                                                             

                                        

 The calm is almost frightening.                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                  

  

                  

                                                                                                                      

Before and After

I have a new interest.  I have spent years of frustration trying to get people to pose for a photo.  Just getting people to pose without running, funny faces, etc.  No more of that.  I have reached an age where it is humorous to me to see the before and afters.  Better yet, the take 1,2, and 3.  For your exclusive entertainment, I am going to post a few of my picture taking processes.  It might be amusing.

Family pic of some of our kids and our new grand baby.

1st try

Take 2

 And finally!

Mother's Day photo with the boys.

You guys stop laughing.

 There he goes . . .

 And one more time.

 Rafting on Provo river

"Don't post that one, Mom!"

Keep paddling.

Hogle Zoo

The sign says "Don't touch."

And this is why, Kids!

On the ice at Utah Lake

"Don't take a picture of me."

Mom!!