Holiday Visit to Utah

Early in the month of November my Grandma got pneumonia and was doing quite poorly, then on top of that she got shingles.  Her care plan was that she didn't want to go to the hospital or have medical treatment. Grandma seemed by all accounts to be on her way out. Then she woke up lucid and said, "I want treatment".  So they gave her a shot of antibiotics and said within the next few days they'd know if she would recover or not.  She recovered! We talked with her a few times and facetime and felt like we should visit her.  We had a feeling she wasn't going to die this time around, we weren't sure and we really wanted to see her again before she gets another bout of illness.

Imagine our surprise when we arrived and she seemed elated to see us and remembered us vividly and clearly! She was thrilled to see our family, I think she has a soft spot for us because of all the time we spent with her when we lived in their basement the first 7 and a half years of our marriage.  Especially she has a soft spot for Charlie, the little scoundrel would sneak up there when he was supposed to be in bed and hang out with Great Grandma. She loved it.  We tried to visit her every day, I think we only missed one day.  I hope this isn't the last time we see her but if it is we had some good long talks

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I should explain that picture above.  Grandma had a dream where Grandpa came to get her but she told him she needed a few more minutes.  

 On the second day of visiting her the older kids left with my mom for a bit.  So Brent and I had some time alone with Grandma and Izzy.  Grandma doesn't know Izzy as well as our other kids.  Grandma saw the laughter and light in Izzy, then Grandma started crying because she reminded her of her dad. It was sweet.

Izzy was good about being held by Grandma.  Here they are both kicking back. Izzy with her bottle and Grandma with a naughty treat of an ice cream bar.  Her blood sugar was high the whole time we were there.  Sigh.

When I found out Grandma could be dying I wrote this short story that I might illustrate some day.

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 “Sneaking up the Stairs” 

There once was a little boy with a great grandma and he was lucky enough to live in her basement. All that separated him from adventure and fun was a staircase. As often as he could, up those stairs he would climb where Grandma was waiting to play. She’d tell him a story from her own childhood as he ate Tootsie Rolls by the gallon. She’d take him for rides on her walker, flying down the hall as fast as a jet fighter. Giggles and laughter could often be heard as they battled unseen monsters. 

When that little boy learned how fun it was to draw, he decided he wanted to make books. He’d draw and dictate she would write his words and help him tape the pages together with cardboard as the covers.

Grandma was his best friend, she made his dreams come true. When he was supposed to be in bed, hoping his parents wouldn’t notice, up the stairs he would sneak to sit and chat with Grandma, and maybe sneak a treat or two. That boy and his grandma what love they shared. A bond that will last for forever.

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While we were visiting on the last day of the trip Brent asked Grandma to get out her poetry.  She really had quite the gift.  She thinks no one wants to hear it, but we really did love it.

The weather was beautiful on the first day of our trip so Brent decided we should take the kids to Temple Square rather than going there just the two of us.  My parents and those from Nate and Emily's families who could joined up with us. We got kinda grumpy on the way there but we decided to change our attitudes and had a great time.

Our eternal family, here where it all began 12 years ago on our first date.

 We just love this baby girl of ours.  I hope she was warm enough, it was so cold! Griz ditched his coat halfway through and so I draped it over her and she fell right to sleep.
Griz ditching his coat was very funny to Brent and I.  If only he was in a captain america shirt.  When he was 2 years old we took the kids and Griz, wearing his cap america suit, was crazy running around Temple Square. Running through the pansies. Throwing pebbles.  Just crazy. He wouldn't wear his coat either that time.  Griz was running around just as much this time, luckily no flowers were trampled or rocks thrown, but he ran through empty fountains and up on every ledge he could find.

The kids just loved spending time with their Grandma Debbie. Unfortunately I didn't get many pictures of her but this one is super cute. And it's super funny, Izzy is SO big. And her older cousin is so itty bitty. 

We were having fun introducing Brent to his new nephew.  Izzy got jealous when Brent was holding another baby and she Brent got to hold them both.  I just had to photograph Heidi and Mom photographing Brent. Made me laugh.

Izzy had her arm around him and was kissing/eating his head. I caught it right as she was pulling away.

The kids love their grandma Ellen! And this is the only pic I got! The babies get all the attention!

But this is why... 

adorable.

We didn't get to spend as much time with everyone as we would have liked and we didn't see everyone we wanted to.  We did fit in a double date with our friends the Morgans. It was fun to catch up with our old kitty corner neighbors.  We miss them and their kids.

We made homemade mints and toffees one of the nights and then sang Christmas carols afterwords.  It was a room full of great singers, especially Taran. I always feel so happy when I hear Taran sing.  He requested I am a Child of God.

We wanted to see John and Heidi a bit more so we met them for lunch at a new greek place out by their place (Santorinis) it was pretty good but the best part was chatting with them. The boys just adore John and love doing top 10 lists with him.  I wonder if they'll ever run out of things to do for top 10.  It's so funny.

Izzy's ringlets were on point today so I couldn't stop photographing her while we were chatting.

John ordered some spicy peppers with his meal. He told Chico he'd give him a dollar if he ate the pepper. Chico did it bravely and it didn't bother him too badly. Griz decided he could do it for a dollar too. 

After lunch we went up to Grandpa Hatch's. Sanna got a Hatchimal for Christmas. She asked for this picture.

Then when she found out you have to keep the egg warm she was hilarious as she wrapped it in her coat, I just had to phtograph it. Griz and her took such good care of it.

While we were sitting there a bunch of deer went through their yard and Griz was so excited to photograph them.

Then we went to Brent's moms house for a Christmas party. It was fun to chat with everyone and we loved playing the game Heidi planned.

It was SOOO great to see my sister Jenni. We have sure missed her and Matt and Owen. They moved to Indiana so during my summer visits I didn't get to see them.  It worked out for us to visit at the same time! AMAZING!