Visiting Mom's Grave

The Saturday before Christmas my little family and I drove up to the Salt Lake City Cemetery to see Mom's grave. There was almost two feet of snow in some places. Luckily we all wore our snow boots. Mom would have loved it! She loved snow, winter was her favorite season. We dusted the snow off her wreath that Pug put up a few weeks ago, and straightened it out. I miss her so much. Most days I am just fine- yes I miss her and will miss her everyday until I can see her again. There are a few sad moments that happen, but I am lucky in that my knowledge of the Plan of Salvation. I know where she is, what she is probably doing, and I know she will be with me and my family in every moment that I need her.
Here are my kiddos tromping through the snow to her grave.

Mom's Christmas Wreath.

My cute kids at Mom's grave.

Just looking around at the cemetery.

Christmas Day marked four months since she passed away. I find it fitting that it happened on Christmas Day (her favorite holiday). It was great to be able to go up there with Heather and BJ and their families. We did miss Dad and Annie. Someday I am sure we will all be back there as a family again.

Notice there was considerably less snow this time around

The whole group.

Disneyland

We were able to take an amazing trip to Disneyland with all of Stoddart side of the family. My amazing in-laws paid for everyones tickets and hotels. It was so fun to get together with all of the siblings and cousins and enjoy four days in the Happiest place on earth. I won't post all my pictures here- I actually made another book just for the Disneyland trip.

Thanks again Glen and Margaret for the memories! We love you!

Reflections! Again!

McKenzie is once again moving on in reflections. Last year she made it all the way to state. So far this year she has gone from the school level, to the Westlake Council and is now on to the Regional level. She is so talented!
This is this years photo.

Here she is with her medal from the school level.

And this is her getting her trophy from the Westlake Council.

Halloween

Halloween came a little bit sooner than I was expecting (what with all I was trying to deal with it shouldn't be too surprising!) So there were no homemade costumes this year- oh well. But we were able to pull together 3 nice costumes at the last minute!
Cameron was a gangster. Complete with mustache and marshmallow shooter.

Abby was a cheerleader. She wore McKenzie's uniform from last year. All I had to do was pin the skirt so it wouldn't fall off.

McKenzie was a cute devil.

Cheer

This year McKenzie has worked really hard with her cheer squad. She was able to finally get her roundoff back handspring. They competed in four different competitions and placed 1st in one, second in 2 and third in another. I am so proud of all her hard work, dedication and determination. Good job Kenz!!

Family Pictures

Every year I try to take my family's picture- for Christmas cards, presents and because I refuse to pay $$$ for someone else to take pictures. So this year we took them while we were up in Bear Lake for the weekend. Most of them turned out okay. McKenzie is 12 years old, Cameron is 10 and Abby is 7.

Back to Virginia

After Mom's funeral here in Utah my siblings and I headed back to Virginia to do a memorial service for her and to go through some of her things. Mom's service was very nice (we gave the same talks we gave at the funeral). The thing that was different about it was the people there. The majority of the people have no idea what Mormons believe. I heard from Dad that there were many people who came up to him afterwards to tell him how peaceful and uplifting it was. There were even people who were interested in hearing a little bit more about what we believe in. I don't know what will come from those experiences, but at least they have a small understanding or respect for us and what we believe.

After the service we had the task of going through a few things. On the top of that list was her Christmas decorations. Lets just say Christmas was Mom's holiday, she would decorate to the MAX! We counted over 20 Christmas trees, with five of them belong over 7 feet tall! Plus all the boxes of decorations, and ornaments. Then there were her crafts… Mom LOVED to craft! Her craft supplies were never ending. Things from fabrics, to paints, to beads, and everything in between. Of course she was the most crafty person I know!
After a few days of not leaving the house we decided a little field trip was in order. So we drove up to Washington D.C. to see a few sights.
Here is the Washington Monument all covered in scaffolding while they work on securing it after the earthquake.

Dad and his camera

Utah at the World War II memorial

Main fountain at the WWII memorial

Vietnam Memorial

Had to take a picture of Italy at the Vietnam Memorial for Pug

Here I am at the top of the steps at the Lincoln Memorial with the Washington Monument in the background.

Lincoln Memorial

Somehow these last few pictures got out of order… Oh well. Here I am at the Steak and Shake. YUMMY!

Back to Washington D.C. at the Air and Space museum at the Smithsonian.

My Yummy food from Steak and Shake

Heather, BJ and I at the Lincoln Memorial.

As hard as it is to loose my Mom, I know that I will see and be with her again someday. And without my amazing family I would not have been able to get through as well as I have.