A Most Memerable Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving will for sure be one we remember and look back on with tender feelings. Mikes dad passed away just 2 days before, on Mikes birthday. I've taken more pictures since we've been married than I've ever taken throughout my life, but still when things like this happen you realize you just never have enough. These are a few precious one's we do have from the last year.

Jack and grandpa Balle last Feb on his 78th birthday

Grandpa and Emery

Since we've been married we have loved traveling to Payson and Nephi with Lynn and Sharon each Memorial day to put flowers on their parents graves.
Our last trip all together.

My father in law has been such an example to me of family. That was his "thing." He took pride in his yard, home and the family inside his home. They created a lot of memories together. The scene in this picture is a very familiar one for their family. They've hosted Sunday dinners every week from the time their first son got married . There is a picture taken around this table each year with each persons birthday. That makes for a lot of kitchen table pictures!

Just a few months ago

This is one of Mikes favorite pictures. Over the last few years it's been hard for Lynn to leave the house. It's been hard for him to get around, to remember certain things and to talk much. He spent most of his time in his chair. Sharon went in for knee surgery in October and was gone for about 3 days. It was hard on him to have her gone. The day she came home he was waiting in the chair. When she came in and sat down he didn't say anything, he just got up and walked over to where she was. He took her hand and let her know he loved her and was glad to have her home.

Then after that he just kinda started down hill pretty fast. In just a couple days time he wasn't able to even get out of bed. I love this picture. I can't really describe why, I just do. Sharon took such good care of him, not just in these later years, but all of his life. Mike remembers her always getting up early and making him breakfast before he left to work. He likes to tell me all about it in hopes that I will do the same! :) It sounds like a nice idea, but one that may never come to pass. Doesn't mean I don't love you honey :)Anyway- I just admire how well she took care of him. When he could no longer get out of bed the couple days before he passed, she was always just right there watching over him.

On November 20th he passed away. It was very peaceful. Family right by his side.

We decided to wait until Saturday to celebrate Thanksgiving.

The two grandson in laws played the guitar while the grand kids sang. They did it at the cemetery. It was really nice.

As the kids were practicing, Maybell caught the fever and ever so cutely joined them. All the sudden she just opened her mouth and started making noise right along with their voices. Ya know those mom's who watch their obnoxious child run around the store and pull all the food off the shelves, thinking, "oh isn't that the cutest thing ever." That was totally me. :) Here's all the grand kids trying to sing their song so pretty and I'm sitting there watching with a smile as my baby makes all sorts of loud obnoxious sounds.

She loves to look at people and study them so carefully

Everything was so nice. It is very hectic from the time of a passing until after the funeral. Lots of planning and decision making, but it all turned out so nice. It's still hard to think that he is actually gone.

Ivan is so little, but he seemed so big about it all. The night before he passed away, something must have come up about it and my tender hearted little 4 yr old just started to cry. He cried about not wanting his grandpa to go to Jesus and about how he didn't want his grandma to be all alone.

Ivan's new crush! His cousin Parker. He follows him everywhere. 

What a good grandma, to entertain in her time of sorrow.

And what are you smiling about miss Maybell? This isn't a laughing matter!

Their 4 sons

and 14 grand kids

and 4 daughter in laws and 3 grandson in laws

Mikes friends he grew up with

Jack, a little bored

 Parker's like, "really? you found me again?"

Mike's life time neighbors and very good friends of the family. Kate, this will be us one day! :)

 

the grandsons laying their flowers on the casket

Pardon the pants and socks pulled up over, that the baby is wearing. I forgot her totally cute skirt that went totally cute with that totally cute sweater she's wearing. Darn it.

I'm grateful to Lynn for raising four righteous boys. I'm so lucky to have married one of them. It's very sad to have him gone. We miss him. But at the same time we are grateful that Lynn didn't have to suffer, that his death was sweet and of a spiritual nature.We are grateful for his life. We will take care of Sharon as she goes on without him.