We Love You Grandma

Grandma was 96 when she passed away. She was such a wonderful Grandma. I remember always having so much fun whenever we went to visit Grandma and Grandpa in Springfield. She was always laughing and so happy. She and Grandpa spoiled us whenever we were there...just like Mama, Papa, and Grandmother do with Nathan and Charlotte. When Grandma moved here, mom visited her almost every day. The kids and I would meet her at her apartment and later Victoria Gardens, and Grandma was always so happy to see them! Nathan and Charlotte were so sweet with her. When she was in her apartment, they loved to get her mail and play with all of her knick knacks. And Nathan was like a little politician whenever he visited the apartment. He said hi to everyone and had the biggest personality there. This is when Mama started saying that he would be governor one day! Mama always put chocolates and treats in the drawers of a cabinet in Grandma's living room, so that was the first thing Nathan and Charlotte would go to. It was funny to see all the wrappers stuffed in there :) Once Grandma moved to Victoria Gardens, she didn't always remember their names, but she loved having them around. Mom still stocked her nightstand with chocolates. And Nathan and Charlotte were always so sweet to her and the other residents there. They loved to brush her hair, put lotion on her hands, talk and sing to her and just be silly with her. She played peek a boo with them and was always so sweet to them. When Pearce came to visit, the three of them were hilarious. They could get a little loud, but you could tell that all of the residents just loved to see 3 little kids running around. I am so thankful that our kids had the opportunity to know and love Grandma as much as we did. When Grandma passed away, Daddy called me and told me that the nurses felt like this would be her last day. He and Mom were there with her so Wayne and Helen took care of the kids and I went to be with her and Mom. We held her hand and talked to her. She never responded but I feel like she knew we were there and could hear us. She kept taking long spaced out breaths. At one point, mom leaned over to her and told her she could be with her mother in heaven. Grandma took 3 more short breaths and then never took another one. It was very surreal. It was peaceful but so sad. It was hard to believe she was actually gone. 

Her funeral in Springfield, MO was so nice. Although the occasion was sad, it was wonderful to be with all of our family. Nathan cracks me up because he LOVES a family reunion!!! He was Mr. Governor again with Pearce. They went up to everyone and shook hands and talked. Nathan acted so grown up. He used his nicest manners and got so many compliments from Aunt Mona :) At Grandma's viewing, the kids all made a card for her and they put them in her casket at the very end. Nathan listed all of the words he could think of to describe Grandma: caring, loving, funny, happy, sweet, pretty and Charlotte wrote "Grandma, I hope you have a good time in Heven). After the viewing, we had a wonderful meal at Aunt Mona's house.  

The graveside service was very nice. It was hard to believe this was the final moment of being with her. I still get sad thinking about it only because I wish she was here, but I know she is happy and healthy in Hevean. Victoria sang her favorite hymn. It was so beautiful! Grandma would have loved it. Carrie, Jen, Lisa, and I each told a special memory of grandma. When the service was over we said a last goodbye and then went to Lisa's house for lunch. And after lunch, we took the kids to Phelps Grove Park (the park we used to play in as kids) then we drove by Mama Pearce and Grandma and Grandpa's houses then ended the day with ice cream from Andy's. That night, everyone came back to the hotel for dinner and to visit while the kids swam. We do have such a wonderful immediate and extended family. We love Grandma so much and are so thankful for all of the wonderful memories, experiences, and love she's given us. 

Sweet and Sassy Party

 Charlotte loves a Sweet N Sassy party! Her friend Sienna has a little sister who had a birthday party there, but Sienna got to invite a few of her friends too. Charlotte was one of the ones on the list :) Since Charlotte is letting her hair grow out, it was fun for her because she got to get a french braid which they haven't been able to do before. After the party, the exciting part for the girls was that they got to ride in a pink limousine back to Sienna's house to continue the party!

New York Day 7

Even though it's our last day, we are going to make the most of every minute!!!! We split up for the first part of the day. Charlotte and I had a girl's day and Wayne and Nathan had a boy's day. I asked Charlotte what she wanted to do on our last day. She said she wanted to go to Starbucks first then go to The American Girl Store to spend her money. My little saver waited until the last day to spend her money!!  We had so much fun together. At Starbucks, she wanted The Pink Drink. I've never heard of it, but she said her friend Adalynn got it one time. Sure enough, it's a real thing. Then we found our way to the American Girl Store...I think Wayne was a little nervous for us but we did fine. We just had to turn around once. She picked out a new doll named Tenney, a doggie for her, a leash for the dog, and a guitar to go with her doll. We went a little over budget but oh well! Then we went into a few stores to try on clothes and also to Sephora so Mommy could spend some money! Nathan and Daddy went to the New York Public Library and a sports store. Then we met up at a souvenir store to buy a few things for friends and ended at Rockefeller Center for lunch. After lunch, it was off to the airport :( 

This trip was such a wonderful trip! The four of us LOVE to be together and can have fun anywhere!!! I'm so thankful for our family and to Wayne for taking us on so many amazing adventures. He planned the whole thing for us...he even made a spreadsheet of everything we wanted to do! I'm pretty sure we got to everything on that sheet. Nathan and Charlotte made this trip so much fun. They were such happy travelers and never really complained...maybe a few complaints here and there, but not many :) WE LOVE NEW YORK!!!

New York Day 6

This was one of our favorite days! We spent a good part of the day riding bikes in Central Park. Nathan and Charlotte had been looking forward to this day since the beginning! Since Charlotte doesn't know how to ride a bike without training wheels yet (on our summer to-do list!), we had to get a tandem bike. She was so cute riding with Wayne! Wayne got a serious workout with her! We rode all over the park and took a few breaks for ice cream, lunch, and the art museum. I think they could have ridden bikes the whole time though! They never really wanted to stop. Lunch was at Tavern on the Green and it was so wonderful! We sat outside on the patio. The weather was perfect with a nice breeze and the food was amazing! I had a lobster roll. It was like a creamy lobster salad on a roll with sweet pickles on the side AND french fries. AMAZING!!! We played a fun game at lunch where Wayne asked Nathan and Charlotte trivia questions about our trip. We were all laughing so hard at their answers!!!! Charlotte and Nathan both loved the art museum. They tried not to laugh at all of the nude sculptures and paintings :) We turned in the bikes at 6:00 and then went to Times Square for the Madame Tussaud's Wax museum. I've never been to one, but it was pretty cool. Of course, Nathan and Charlotte thought it was so much fun. They did all sorts of funny poses with all the wax people. We ended our night with a great pizza dinner. We were sad this was our last night, but Nathan was so excited to see Rusty soon. He and Charlotte were really missing him.