Tales of a Shoebox Princess

We got to have Jackson with us for just about all the driving time. The only time he went with his mother was the last hour and a half because they were going straight home, and so were we. So he had to go with his mother, even though he didn't want to. That's the best thing about being a grandparent: the joy that a grandchild brings by their choosing me (or Granddaddy) over a parent. Kate asked Jackson several times if he wanted to ride with her and each time, he said, "NO." One time it almost caused a meltdown. Aaaahhh, the love of a grandchild that causes near meltdowns! Jackson was very good in the car, only occasionally being loud and kicking the back of Granddaddy's seat. I had fun peeling Twizzler strings for Jackson to eat one at a time and giving him other snacks. Mostly Jackson watched movies. He watched The Incredibles 3 times. Thankfully I like that movie. The other interesting thing about the drive home was that for most of it, especially in Wyomi...

I can't put into words how tickled I was to see Emma and Jackson while we were in Utah because when they walked in the door to Art and Karen's house, both kids lit up and Jackson exclaimed "Granddaddy and Grandma!" Both kids were very happy to see us.  Jackson tries out an old toy Emma and Grammy's doggie Paul and Bethany's backs Paul and Bethany from the front Jackson jumped off the diving board The dog apparently wanted to come with us four generations Me, Jim, and Paul Mac. Paul Mac is a frequent third party. Also this is a picture of new empty nesters. Best part of the day was watching Jackson play in the pool. He did NOT want to leave the water. He went down the slide, he went off the diving board, he floated around. He was in heaven. I think he slept well that night.

Matt didn't want us fussing over him and taking a lot of pictures while we were on campus or at his apartment, but I did manage to get a few here and there.  We had fun visiting the BYU campus and we got to hang out with Hayley and Paul, although Paul was not photographed. It was fun to see the kids together, laughing and joking.  Niece Morgan, who we were glad had time during the rigorous band camp days to see us Lunch at the Cougareat (what it was called way back when I ate there as a college student). All three of these children are BYU students! But they are just babies! A Matt-sized door in one of the buildings This seat was in a stairwell, kind of hidden. If I were a college student, I would spend a lot of time sitting here.  Kung Fu Panda in the Math/Computer Sciences building siblings, cousins, and second cousins (Zephram, Matt, Hayley, Maddie, Caemlyn). We made some time to meet up with my cousin, Megan, and her family. Two of the...

Some pictoral highlights from the drive out to Utah when we took Matt to college. First night, we stopped at Mike's and ate tiny eggs for breakfast. I captured a rare small town watertower trifecta. Three watertowers IN ONE TINY TOWN. Eagle Butte, I love your dedication to watertowers! Can you spot all three? We must always stop here when going west. Always. And we must walk around it.  Someday, I will venture across the boulder field. White tail deer were plentiful. We saw 7 at Devil's Tower Gotta move it...a foot...that way... Matt and a buddy at Devil's Tower We actually partially climbed Independence Rock. It wasn't that hard going up. It was WAY SCARIER going down. Matt didn't agree, he practically ran down. that's him way off in the distance near the path. We saved Mt Rushmore for the trip back so there are no pictures of it here. The van was not packed to the gills like with other children's college move...

We are DAYS away from the event I have looked forward to since I got pregnant the first time: EMPTY NEST! I have enjoyed many minutes of my time as a full-time mother, maybe even hours, but it is time to give up the children to the rest of their lives, to their own ambitions and purpose, to their own discernment and hearts. Jim and I plan on doing fun things together. We have a trip up north planned. We are always looking for new places to explore, and now is the time since we don't have anymore band concerts, conferences, games, events, church youth activities, SEMINARY, etc to get in our way. I am glad I have many memories and pictures of my children when they were my little children. Those little children only exist in my head and in pictures, since my kids choose not to remember what being a little kid was like (Matt disavows squibbers, Hayley shakes her head at finger gymnastics, Paul closes his eyes and ears to strange language, Jimmy cleans without fuss and refuses to ...

Pictures from the reception...So many pictures! I'll probably post a part 3 the ring ceremony a toast flower groom and his dad mother of the groom hair hearth the flute player flowers Emma bride and friends bride and more friends bride and cousins Add caption bride and another cousin on the bridge more bridge contemplative bride and the battle is soon to commence cutesy LARPers! the battle commences go team! clash of swords thanks for letting us be part of your day! run away! cek! father of the bride ceks! fun hair! LOTS OF BUTTONS cutting the cek the cek is cut