Grandma's Memorial Weekend

We drove straight to Alameda, the day before Grandma's memorial service. The kids were THRILLED to get to spend the night in a hotel! We stayed at the Hilton, just minutes from Grandma's church. I wish I could say that we all had as much fun as the kids did... but a giggling Sullivan.... and an ice machine that EVERYONE in the hotel (and possibly surrounding hotels) visited ALL NIGHT LONG outside our door.... made for a long night. Sulli was finally obedient and went to sleep, and I'm pretty sure Will and I got a few minutes of sleep somewhere. But the highlight was watching "Water for Elephants" in our room. One perk of having a big family is that you're forced to buy two rooms that adjoin. Wait... IS that a perk? It is when you want to watch a movie. :)




It seemed too somber to take pictures during the memorial service... though I wish I had one of Zane playing "Blackbird." He did beautifully. And the Holy Spirit spoke through Will as he officiated the service from his heart. Will's aunt and uncle did a beautiful job of organizing the service and reception. The best part of the reception was the wide variety of Grandma's cookies, which the granddaughters made to remember her. I just got a few pictures of the kids at the reception, before we left Alameda for Uncle Steve and Aunt Julie's house in Nevada City. I love how kids can still find fun in the moment, even after a sad time. Here are the Powell and Bright kids being silly.


Titus gave Grandma some love.






The morning after we got to Nevada City, the kids made a beeline to the zip line. (There's a little playground too, and you're never too old for those.) Steve and Julie have just about everything you can think of on their property!


Yes, even Mom did it. It was fun.


Sulli was very upset that she was not big enough to zip line, but I finally got her to crack a smile. :)



Who is this new fellow in so many of our pictures?! Why, that is Sullivan's new hero and friend, Nick. He is Kristin's husband, and he is going to be a FABULOUS daddy. He spent hours with Sulli, blowing bubbles, swimming, running around... you name it. He's every kid's dream. Oh, and did I mention he jumped in the pool, fully clothed, to save Levi's life? Don't ask me what happened, since Levi knows how to swim. But it involved Levi panicking while trying not to let his ice cream sandwich drown, while falling off Shamu.... oh, it's complicated. So, thank you, Nick!!!


Sulli, Phinny and Nick


Oh, and here is "Fwenchy," the new pup Aunt Cindy brought Sulli, with Cousin Nick.



Aunt Cindy and Devaney paid special attention to our girl too. I think she was pretty much in Heaven this entire trip.



Oh, and let me take a moment to introduce Aunt Julie and Uncle Steve to you (it's been a while)... Steve is on the right of the man picture, next to his brother Jim (Will's dad) and Scott, my brother-in-law-in-law. Julie is on the right of the lady picture, next to Kate and Kari. They were both so hospitable, opening their lovely home up to all of the family members! Will and I and the kids were even given THEIR bedroom.... large enough for the 6 of us to sleep very comfortably. Thank you so much, Aunt and Uncle!






Mostly, though, we just hung around by the pool, eating too much, reminiscing and catching up on each other. It's a rare thing to get 22 family members under one roof for a weekend! (Is this backyard stunning, or what???)



Here are Kristin and Kate, both expecting. They are such cute mommies!!! Kate already has one baby, sweet Phineas.


This is the youngest of Will's 4 cousins, Karly (between Will's parents). She is in school in Portland, OR, where she is studying to become a natural doctor. Don't we need more of those!!



I love these pictures of Sullivan with little "Baby Boy" Ty. He is Kari's little boy, and he is a puddin'!






And, of course, we enjoyed watching the kids swim!!! Our boys were a tad shocked at how much colder the pool here was; they are spoiled with southern CA temperatures. But Steve and Julie have an awesome hot tub that's perfect for warming up in. (Thanks, Aunt and Uncle, for the fun pool toys you bought the kids... and for sending them home with us!!)




Evenings were spent in and around the kitchen, eating Uncle Steve's awesome BBQ and hanging out. What a wonderful time we had with everybody. Grandma would be so happy to know how we remembered her. She loved to bring people together during her life, and she also did just that after she went to be with Jesus.