Home Again & Off Again

major vacationing in progress......



home for a day to do laundry, then off again.....



blogging resumes next week.....

Road Trip Tips

I'm in the midst of all the prep work to get ready for our annual road trip to Arizona. My kids usually do well in the car {minus a few puking incidents that will hopefully be cured with Dramamine this time around}.

They each have their own special box that I fill with treats, treasures, and boredom busters. This year I made these to add:

The License Plate Game
color in each state as you see its license plate

Road Signs
cross off, color over, etc. each sign you see

Roadside Objects
cross off, color over, etc. each thing you see

Transportation Travel
cross off, color over, etc. each vehicle you see

Slug Bug game
cross off, color over, etc. each slug bug you see

I'd love more ideas.....

So, what things do you do to keep your kids entertained on road trips???

Grandpa May's Funeral

We attended Grandpa May's funeral on July 6th. It was a wonderful service. Matt gave a beautiful tribute to his grandpa {and didn't even cry too much!}. I was very proud of him. He and his grandpa were close, and it was a hard day. Kensie, Luke, Lincoln, Liesel, Andrew, and Liz sang "Faith", Uncle Mark spoke, and Rich, Marla, Curt and I sang "Nearer, My God, To Thee".

After the services we travelled to Grantsville for the burial. I am so grateful for the blessing of eternal families, and the knowledge I have that we will see Grandpa again.

I think that Jackson has already seen Grandpa a few times. The day after he died, as we were driving home from Grandma May's, Jackson said {out of the blue} "There's Grandpa May right there" and pointed upward. I told him that Grandpa May was in heaven, but he insisted "No! Grandpa May's right there".

He did it again on our way home from Grantsville on the 4th of July, this time pointing at the train tracks next to the road. I have no doubt that his innocent little eyes were able to see what we could not. What a joy!

Independence Day

This year we spent July 4th with Matt's family in Grantsville. We met at Uncle Mark's place & headed over to the parade. And, oh my, what a parade it was! Only in Grantsville would you find a parade that consisted of John Deere's, a Walmart big rig, 20 fire engines, floats promoting every gas station in town, bands comprising 15 members, a {small} horse pulling a {large} woman, and {my favorite} the Abstinence float......"First Comes Love, Then Comes Marriage, Then Comes The Baby- Our Pride=Abstinence". Gotta love it!

The kids had fun catching candy, and Jackson and Mark bonded while watching the horse procession.




After the parade it was back to Mark's house for buffalo burgers, rides in the Rhino with April, and some saddle fun.




Next, we all piled in the camo truck for a ride to see Mark's buffalo. Boy, were they big! We couldn't get too close because they had babies, so we took photo-op's from afar and drove around to find the horses.




Mark could not wait to get Jackson on a horse. Jackson was loving it, even when he almost went for a ride and Uncle Mark had to save him! Lincoln and Kensie were excited to sit on the horse, too.




After Grantsville and a little nap we went to the Holbrook's for firework fun! All the kids were so excited, and would cheer {or boo if it was not up to their standards} after each firework.

It was a fun-filled day, and as always we loved celebrating our country's freedom as well as EIGHT years of remission for Matt! Hazzaaa!!

Bubbles

We've been spending lots of time with family this week as everyone arrived for Grandpa May's funeral. The kids have had a blast with their cousins! Grandma Holbrook bought bubble wands for the kids, and they were a huge hit {although a bit messy!}.



Jackson decided to forgo the bubble-making and instead opted for wrestling and cloud watching with Grandpa.

Clyde Marlo May

Clyde Marlo May 1932 ~ 2009

Marlo passed away on July 1, 2009, in Salt Lake City after a two year battle with cancer and other related illnesses. He was welcomed by a loving son and an eternal family.

He was the youngest child of Vigo and Mae Severe May born in Grantsville, Utah December 11, 1932.

He married Sharleen Faswon September 5, 1952 in the Salt Lake Temple.

Together they raised four children Mark (Susan), Marla (Richard) Holbrook, Teresa and Bryan (deceased) (Stacey).

He was a dedicated husband and father who supported his family in everything
from sports to hunting to scrapbooking.

Marlo never met a dog he didn't like nor a tomato he couldn't grow. He loved the out of doors, his cabin and his family.

Marlo's career as a railroad engineer, both for Western Pacific and Union Pacific, gave him many wonderful experiences. He was also a licensed barber and made many life-long friends. He also served on the Trans-West Credit Union board of directors.

He was an active member of the LDS church and served in many position over the years. His work in scouting being his favorite. After he retired he and his wife served as Salt Lake Inner-City missionaries in the Granite Park stake and then as guides at Welfare Square.

Survived by his wife of 57 years, three children, 13 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, sister Vonda Angel, and brother Leo Randall May.

Funeral services will be held Monday July 6, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the Imperial 1st Ward, 2738 South Filmore Street (1537 E). Friends and family can visit Sunday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 S. 2300 E., and at the church Monday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service.

Interment: Grantsville City Cemetery.

We'll miss you, Grandpa!