We Miss You Already GG!!! xoxo

Today we said goodbye to GG.  Hannah and I are still in UT but we were with the family in our hearts and prayers.

He has been Grandpa to me for well over 30 years and GG (short for Great-Grandpa) to Hannah since the day they met!   Oh how I love this picture!  It was taken the day after we came home from China and was the first day that they met one another.  Can you say, ‘Love at first sight?’

I knew before we left on our vacation that it would be a miracle if Grandpa were still with us when we returned.  Although he wasn’t able to talk and often slept through our visits, I stopped for a quick chat on my way to work each morning the last week we were home.  Last Thursday in the early hours of the morning with his family around him, GG breathed his last.  He is now in the arms of Jesus and is whole again!

Grandpa was a man of God and touched the lives of more than we can count.  His home was open to all; his heart was open to hear anyone’s concerns and His prayers called you into God’s presence each time he lifted his voice in prayer.  He was a special man to all who met him, but most of all to his wonderful wife and 3 amazing daughters!  This picture was taken today as they celebrated Grandpa’s life at his memorial service.  Oh how he loved his girls!!!

Daddy and daughter love.

There are so many precious memories of Grandpa!  Back in 2009 when he was hospitalized for an extended period of time, he and I spent each evening together.  We did some crazy things like bake in the cafeteria and ate more than our fair share of donuts, ice cream sundaes, blueberries and pie together.  Precious, precious times – even though I’m sure there were some times that he thought, ‘We’re going to do what??!!!’    He just went with it and we shared so many happy evenings together.

From the moment they met, Hannah and GG were smitten with one another and loved sharing time together!  Each Sunday she would gently take his hand and lead him to the lunch table.  When asked who was going to say grace, she’d immediately get a big grin on her face and happily shout, ‘GG!’

I wasn’t sure when I would tell Hannah about GG’s death and thought I might wait until we got home from our vacation but I was really teary this morning and didn’t want to concern her.  We were snuggled in bed and it seemed the perfect time to share that GG was now in heaven with Jesus.  She was sad for a bit and we talked about different things  but then she said with a big smile, ‘Mommy, GG will always live in my heart!’  Awe!!  Yes baby, he will! 

Tonight she told one of her little friends in the car that her GG was now in heaven and that he had a new body that could run and play!  GG played the saxophone and when we were at the San Francisco airport last week we saw this display of saxophones so we took a picture for him.  He didn’t get to see it but I know he would have liked seeing his baby girl in this pic.

As I was looking back and finding pictures today I found this little video of them playing together.  It captures their love and relationship so well! 

We love you so much Grandpa and we miss you already!!  xoxo

‘Since my youth, God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvellous deeds.

Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your mighty acts to all who are to come.’

Psalms 71:17-18

Grandma and Grandpa.  They shared 69 beautiful years of marriage together!

Praying for you Grandma, Nana, Auntie Japhia and Auntie Joy.  We love you.  xo

Our Utah Trip Has Begun!

After the change in plans and airport locations, Hannah and I were on our way to Salt Lake City to visit Tawni and her family!  As always it was super hard to say goodbye to Auntie M, Uncle TubaDad, Ro and Ree. 

Once on the plane Hannah was tuckered and fell asleep the moment we began to taxi from the gate.

As our plane took off I snagged this picture of a couple of the planes that had been diverted to this airport due to the crash.

I will admit that this trip I listened more closely to the safety demonstration, ensured our seatbelts were securely fastened and our luggage was pushed well under the seat.  How many times have I heard these things and not really listened? Not this day!

 

 

Our 2nd flight was made extra exciting when Mommy gave Hannah her first ever gum.  Oh my, what a treat!

Hannah and I never travel light and this trip was no exception.  The black bag is clothes handed down to Hannah from Ro and Ree and the box is more clothes for another friend who lives in SLC.

Tawni and Em picked us up and the fun began!  After a good night’s sleep the girls were up and made fast friends.  Hannah and Av coloured and did puzzles. 

Sweet baby H (who was sporting similar bed head to Hannah) was not impressed to be left out.

After supper the kids tried out a dancing video game that had Mommy in splits!  Hannah followed moves on the screen and then it created this little video.  Oye – not sure where she learned how to do this but as her mom I’m officially frightened of her teenage years!

It was a beautiful evening and we hung out outside for a while.  As the kids were sitting on the lawn J suddenly yelled, ‘Sprinklers!’  LOL!  They scattered!  Well….except the little girls.  They were thrilled to run through the sprinklers and get soaked.

Fast friends

Baby H enjoyed the water too.

Post water play = pyjama time!

Lots more fun adventures to come over the next couple of days as we’re here!  Tawni also has 3 amazing big boys that Hannah is completely smitten with.  I’ll be sure to snag pictures of them tomorrow to share with you.

We love vacation!!!

San Francisco–The Evening Edition

After saying goodbye to our Oregon friends who had an early flight out, I heard M3 utter one word, ‘Ghirardelli?’ which resulted in an excited ‘Yes!!’ from the Canadian crowd!  Well…at least the mommy of the Canadian crowd.   Once the little Canadian found out what Ghirardelli involved she was fully on board just like her Mama!

We jumped in the van and headed to this wonderful San Francisco landmark and as usual, the place was hopping!  We placed our orders and then while Auntie M and family held our spots at a coveted table, Hannah and I went to the back to see chocolate being made.  Oye!  I can still smell it now!!

Yes, that is a huge vat of chocolate behind us!

Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’.  Keep that chocolate rollin’.

Soon after we returned to our table our amazing desserts were delivered!  Can you smell the chocolate?

Good to the last drop!  And yes, given the opportunity I’m pretty sure my girl would have licked her dish clean.

Just in case you thought we’d had enough chocolate, um, no.  Uncle Scott – this one’s for you!  (LOL!  Can you tell the sugar had kicked in by then?)

We purchased 2 little bars of chocolate and left the store with full tummies and chocolaty smiles on our faces.

We tried to hit one more famous San Francisco landmark before leaving the city, Lombard Street, but it was crazy busy! 

We were about 30 cars from the crest of the hill but didn’t budge more than a car length or 2 in 20 mins so decided to leave that for another trip.  TubaDad was able to drive us closer and we walked to the top though and captured this beautiful picture with the Golden Gate bridge in the distance.

What a beautiful city San Francisco is!  If you ever have the opportunity to visit, go for it!  There is much we’d like to come back and experience another time.  Riding the Trolley Cars, Lombard Street, the Wharf, a tour of Ghirardelli’s….just to name a few!

Hmmm….what are you doing next July Auntie M?  Here’s hoping for another flight bump on Wednesday!

We’re OK.

Some may be aware that we were scheduled to fly out of SFO today.   We are fine although praying for all those who were affected by the crash.

Our first flight has been changed and we are now flying out of a different airport but will make the same connecting flight in LAX for our flight to Salt Lake City.

Catherine

San Francisco!!!

I was super excited when M3 mentioned that this trip would include a day in San Francisco!  Couldn’t wait!!  I had only visited there one other time and it was for a brief couple of hours on a cold, rainy February afternoon back in 2008.  This year’s trip ended up being a bright sunny day and the best part was that we were all together!

We left Casa Salsa just after 9am and watched as the temperature quickly dropped by over 40^oF!  We made a quick stop off at Wela and BobBob’s for Apricot Dream Bars – I mean, to drop off Dusty, and then we were on our way. 

The change in temps meant the donning of hoodies in the morning but that was just fine with us.   Hannah was chilly so S2 offered up her hoodie which she looked adorable in as it’s still a couple of sizes too big for her.  Some of the clothes Hannah inherits from Ro and Ree have been handed down from H2 and S2 so there is a possibility this hoodie may make a reappearance in a couple of years.  Fun!

After a quick stop at Starbucks for lunch (a first for us and it was yummy!) we were off to the Exploratorium. 

Even before entering we found a great little twirling ride that the girls all enjoyed.

While the girls were spinning we took the opportunity for an impromptu photo shoot.  LOL!  Notice that the purse has survived without being taken back.  Yes!

What a beautiful city San Francisco is! 

Inside the Exploratorium there was more than the girls could possibly see and experience in the time that we had there.  We had a number of hours to enjoy it and yet we probably visited only about 1/4 of it!  If you have to opportunity to take your children there, they’ll love it!

Playing with sand that has a large iron count in it and a couple of magnetic tubes.

This one little spot occupied them for over 10 minutes so it was easy to see that this visit would be one where the kiddos took the lead and we happily allowed them to explore at their own pace.

Tinkering exhibit.  Using the materials provided the 3 girls built the marble track you can see on the wall.  Thanks for the lift Uncle TubaDad!

At one point we moved on to the ‘pin play’ where the girls spent ages creating these awesome flowing designs!

At the magnet display, extra concentration was needed which involved sticking out your tongue.  Hee!

There was a neat spot with mirrors that created a fun visual effect.  Many would say 1 of someone is enough but not when you stand here!  Hannah’s favourite part was when we danced in front of the mirrors.  I love her creativity!

There was a lot of walking and Hannah was happy when K2 offered to give her a ride.

A final group pic of the kiddos in front of a replica of the Golden Gate Bridge.

What a great time we have visiting the Exploratorium!  Hope we can return there again sometime!

I really wanted to eat in the city so we walked next door to a beautiful restaurant called The Waterfront.  It offered a breathtaking view of the Bay and I ordered Lobster Risotto which I moaned with happiness with every single bite I think!!  It was beyond delicious and my mouth is watering again now just thinking of it!  Hannah enjoyed fish and chips but I think her favourite part was the cute little ketchup bottle.

Sadly all too soon it was time to say goodbye to D2, K2, S2, and H2 as they were flying home early the next morning.   Saying goodbye to the girls was tough so Hannah gave them each a hug that will hopefully remind them of her love.

S2

H2

A final group pic of our girls all together (l to r: H2, Hannah, Ree, S2 and Ro)

and then finally we remembered to take a group picture of all 10 of us together.

This is our 2nd year that we have shared July 4th together and hopefully we’ll be able to do this again next year!

There is more San Francisco fun to share but this post is long so I’ll wrap it up here.  Suffice to say I’ll leave you with this little teaser: