A Time To Remember......

The past 2 weeks has come and gone with much gratitude and emotion. Steve's dad passed away just prior to Thanksgiving, so our days have been spent amongst family and friends reflecting on what an amazing person Steve's dad was. He truly has blessed the life's of so many, and I'm a better person today by having known him. I know his legacy continues, and I'm so grateful for the knowledge of eternal families and that we will meet again. Steve's dad grew up in Tridell, Utah which is about 3 hours from Salt Lake City. (near Vernal) Steve's whole family took a family history "road trip" in 2004, so we'd all been to Tridell once before. It was so special to go back and spend the day in a place that Steve's dad had shared with us just a few years back. The kids all remembered and even talked about some of the special stories Grandpa told on that trip.

The service was held at the local church building where Steve's Dad grew up attending church. It was a beautiful service filled with music and wonderful tribute's of his life. I must say however, it was a bit strange to be in a town where everyone knows " The Morrills"! The Morrill name has been in Tridell for so many years, not to mention the cemetery is FULL of the them. My kid's added humor to the trip when they commented on the number of deceased Morrill's they found in the cemetery. It was a beautiful day at the cemetery up on a hill overlooking the town, minus the wind. They had a wonderful military honors portion before the dedication of the grave. Steve's dad served in the military for a term, years ago.

Steve and Blake

All the granddaughter's received a rose to lay on their grandfather's casket following the graveside presentation.

Nadia, McKenna, & Cheyanne. This is our little trio. These girls were all born the same year and even though they've spent most of their lives living far from one another, they are so close. It's so cute to see them together. Nadia lives in Arizona and Cheyanne just moved to Boise recently from Washington. They sure did LOVE their Grandpa.

McKenna placing her rose on the casket.

Steve & McKenna

Grandma Morrill with the grand kids. ( minus 4. Jordan is on his mission & Rose left her baby girls in AZ and just her and Kevin came up)

My sister-in-law made these skirts for the girls all in less than a week. They looked so cute and the girls were happy to wear them in honor of their Grandfather.

Tyra, Hanna, & Blake

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Temple Square at Christmas:

One of the nights we were in Utah, we took the family and headed to Temple Square to look at all the Christmas lights. It was Thanksgiving weekend, the first weekend they are "on" and it was packed. People everywhere. Nonetheless, it was beautiful as usual and the kids were mesmerized. Steve and I have been down to see the lights between Thanksgiving and Christmas, but it was a first for the kids.

I LOVE this picture!

We were asked by the sister missionaries if we would stop and sing "silent night". The girl's loved the idea. The boy's on the other hand, took a little to get them going before they joined in, and really enjoyed the spirit of the evening.

McKenna & Nadia ( Oh how they wished they lived by each other)

Blake & his cousin, Hyram. They are definitely a minority when it comes to grandchildren as they are out numbered by the girls. That however, doesn't seem to stop them from having a good time.

Even though it wasn't the best of circumstances for the family to be gathering together, it made us appreciate one another more, reach out to one another, serve one another and really feel gratitude for the family in which we are apart of. Steve's parents have done such a fabulous job with all 6 of their children. The LOVE that exists within that family is one so sacred and special, it's nearly impossible not to feel the love our Father in Heaven has for each one of us.