This weekend I went on a whirlwind trip to Utah to join in the celebration of my grandma's 80th birthday! Some of her nicknames include, "Colleen the Queen," "Coke," "Grandma Boo," and "The witch on Connor street." I love my grandma. It was a wonderful weekend!
We started the festivities at the pancake house on Friday morning. I don't know what was up with Kate and I, but for some reason we were laughing at anything and everything.
(I have this really obnoxious side that only gets unleashed around my family.)
My grandma married Garn in the last couple years after her husband LaVere died. They are very sweet and happy together as you can see.
What would we all do without Dan and Cort? They seem to be the glue in our family at times.
I love hearing as much as I can about everything Dan is doing with Bluehouse. It won't be long before I am on a pair. Ski season can't come quick enough.
Kate and Grandma Ann.
It is so special to spend time with grandparents!
Lindsey, Grandma June, Grandma Graham and I also had a lovely breakfast on Saturday morning. We need to do that more often!
I spent the most time with my mom this weekend and I loved every minute of it!!! Thanks mom for being so wonderful and insisting that I not be left out of the family party!
My mom and her brother Stuart pulled off a great party for my grandma at the Lion House. Stuart was the spokesman for the evening and got everyone involved in sharing fun stories and memories of grandma.
The picture was scaring me the whole night! Then, I found out at the end that it is a picture of Brigham Young as a child. I still think it is an angry little girl. Ha,ha!
Ginny is the daughter of LaVere. We love spending the holidays with their family!
Stuart, Alice, Tommy and his new finance. (I obviously can't remember her name, although these two were like magnets the whole night. It was physically impossible for them to not be touching, or rather, stuck together, at all times!) I love it!
Grandma and I.
I love being the oldest of the grand kids. I got a lot of special perks with grandma as a kid.
She looks pretty amazing for 80 don't you think?
Here was the first musical number of the night. They were great!
Dang it, I forgot to get a picture of Dan playing his guitar while Kate and I sang.
It was pretty awesome if I don't say so.....
Grandma and Garn had a great time.
We all took turns reading from the book we made her. Lot's of fun memories!
There were even tears being shed. (See Kate, I have this picture to prove it!)
Four lovely ladies.
(I couldn't pull Cort away from her conversation to join us for the picture.)
And the loveliest of all...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA!!!
My tribute to Boo~
Sometimes I wonder where my deep rooted love for Halloween originates. Hmmm....I think I know where. From my earliest memories of Halloween, I remember my grandma coming over to our house with her big bag of make up and accessories. I sat there patiently as she worked her magic. Before long, I felt like I had been transformed into a real gypsy, or Jeanie, or french maid, or punk rocker, or best of all, my favorite costume, a witch.
I loved and still do love dressing up, and I believe a large part of this is because of grandma's special influence. Putting make up on a 10 year old girl may not seem like a big deal, but to me at that time, it meant everything. I think grandma and I have a common bond when it comes to theatrical expression, drama and fantasy. That is where our creative side comes to life. Thank you grandma for your magic touch, your fashion expertise, and your ability to make a young girl feel stunning!
Grandma has always made Halloween and the other holidays a memorable event. Whether it be carving pumpkins on the grass in her back yard, or searching for Easter eggs in her "forest", or dancing in front of the fire in our new pajamas on Christmas Eve; each memory is treasured. I know when I spent all those early years with grandma, I felt that she was irreplaceable. I wanted to be just like her in every way. When I think back to those days, I see her big smile with bright red lipstick. I feel her strong embrace and kisses. I hear her joyous laughter and silly expressions, such as, "I'll love you and leave you." I even smell the fresh and fragrant flowers in her back yard and the mouth watering aroma of her Sunday dinners.
Grandma, I could go on and on. I think everyone in the world should have a grandma just like you. There is no doubt the world would be a better place. Grandma, I believe you truly are a "Queen". Always know how much I love you.
Love, Kristine
David's tribute~
The first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Grandma has to be her amazing generosity. From the first time we met, she was always opening up her house to me. Up on old Connor street, Kristine and I invaded her living room to watch romantic movies and Grandma just rolled out the red carpet. So often in young love you worry about how you’re received with the new family, and with Grandma Boo, she received me with open arms from the beginning. Kristine and I spent so much time up at that house, walking in the backyard, eating in that incredible dining room, playing dress up in the basement—yes 18year olds can play dress up. No one in Kristine’s family made me feel so welcome than Grandma Boo. Not to mention all the incredible food she’d provide.
That leads me to another engaging memory about Grandma, her wonderful parties and gatherings. Christmas at Grandma’s was always a birthplace for memories. She would cook anything and everything that could be associated with Christmas--placemats were so fun and festive, delightful glasses, desserts galore, my family still watches the video footage we have of our times at Grandma’s house. And of course, the caroling she would always have to push and prod us to do, only to have it turn out to be the biggest memory of the night.
Intertwined with all of those memories, is found her fun and alluring character. She always has fun and festive outfits, trinkets and decorations around the house, and of course, always a big smile. Grandma seems to be happy whenever I see her. Plus, she is always so thoughtful about my children, and loves to just watch them run around.
Another obvious memory I have about Grandma, is St. George, Utah. I guess just the whole city makes me think about Grandma. All growing up St. George was like this mystical trip my family would go to once in awhile. Then, once I became a part of Kristine’s family, we would be in St. George all the time. We spent so much time in the house with Grandma. We would find any excuse to make it down there, and she always made it available to us. She took us to movies down there, showed us the good restaurants, I remember her teaching me a short cut around the bluff. She may not remember, but she even helped out when my car broke down while we were driving through. It has always been such a happy and fun place for Kristine and me, and Grandma Boo’s presence is always felt down there.
Thank you Grandma for all of the amazing memories, and for being the incredible, loving, thoughtful and generous Grandma that you are. I hope you have an equally incredible Birthday and I’m sorry my family can’t be there to share it with you.
Love,
David
This is just moments before Tyler ripped a page out of the bird book. He always looks so innocent, even when guilty!
Grandma Netty and Maddie really hit it off on this trip. Maddie loves all the extra attention from visitors!
Thanks Geoff for trekking all the way out here.
With Halloween almost over, we are on the count down for Thanksgiving with my mom and Kate. It will be my first Thanksgiving dinner at my home. Bring on the mashed potatoes Kate!
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