Grandma Party 2013 "Freedom"

As is customary, the Grandma party was a spectacular success.  Grandma spent the entire year planning and my kids spent the entire year in eager anticipation.  Especially Ashley, this was her first year and she was so very excited to go.

Each year Grandma assigns "homework" before the party.  This year they were to create a book.  She helped them decorate their covers at her house beforehand and gave them several scriptures and they were to memorize one of them. 

Then they were to add a picture that represented freedom, a poem that they wrote, a picture of themselves and a list of things they would do to protect their freedom.  I don't have a picture of Ashley with hers at the party because I thought she was missing pages and I raced home to locate them.  (She wasn't really missing anything.)

 

Izzy's Poem:

What is freedom?

Freedom is to choose.

Freedom is to love.

Freedom is peace.

Freedom is family.

Freedom is Heavenly Father's plan.

 

 Ryan's Haiku:

Freedom is cool

Agency

Opportunity

Privilege

Always Free

 

Ashley's Poem:

I like to choose my friends.

I like to help when my mom is tired and when I am tired she helps me.

I like to help make stuff like food or writing or funny pictures or any pictures you want.

 

 Ryan and Jake - best friend/cousins

 Ashley and Cody - Ashley loves Cody, she can't wait until they come to visit again!!!

 

 Grandma taught them about freedom using the story of Joseph of Egypt.  Brandon was a great Joseph and Lu was a beautiful Potipher's wife.

 Ryan got to be one of Joseph's brothers and beg for food.

 My Grandma Party crew

 Grandma's fancy tables

Activities at the church.  The kids (and grown-ups) loved the carts.

 

 Blue team

 

Cheeto toss

Twister, Grandma Allen style

 

Practicing skills like Uncle Ammon -  doing things the hard way, like with your elbows.  :)

Treasure Hunt Actvities

 White Team

 I love my mom.  She is amazing.

 My crew

 Fun kids waiting for the dance performances

Can you believe the crew that Grandma lets sleep over at her house???  There were even a few who slept in different rooms!  She is AMAZING!!  My kids can't wait until next year!

Swimming in Eden - Allen Reunion

We made great use of the hot tubs while we were in Eden.  We tried to go to the pool but it was too crowded and then there was lightning so we headed back home and played in the hot tub.  It was actually perfect, they all had a great time.

 We also spent a morning at the Pineview Reservoir.  Tommy didn't enjoy it until I finally put his water socks on and then he had a grand time.  The water was cold but that didn't hold the bigger kids back.  Ashley loved the sand, especially warming up by laying in it - she was covered literally from head to toe.

 Jake, Bran and Ry

 Izzy, Grace, Amy and Lu.  We love cousin time!!

 I love my sisters (I only corralled a couple for a picture, I should have grabbed them all!)

 The view from above the hot tub.

Memorial Day Sunday at Grandma and Grandpa Johnson's graves

It was a beautiful Sunday for a visit to the cemetery.  When we arrived we drove right past our friends visiting their loved ones so we stopped because I had brought flowers to place on their graves as well.  We briefly stopped at Katrina's then headed to her Grandma's, Xenaida Sigua (Ima) who was our beloved neighbor for many years.  At her grave the Sigua clan was congregated so we took pictures for them then left our flower and headed to the flags to find Grandpa's flag.  After taking pictures there we went up to VGJ and BBJ's grave.  It is such a beautiful peaceful place.  Tommy just wanted to run and explore, Izzy didn't want any pictures taken of her, and Ryan wanted to mess up every picture I tried to take but it was still beautiful. As we were leaving Ryan asked, "I thought graveyards are supposed to be scary." It provided a great opportunity to talk about how sacred a place it is and how strong the Spirit can be when we are respectful.  We also talked about how the graves are dedicated by the priesthood.  I'm so thankful for the knowledge that we have of the Plan of Salvation.  I'm so thankful that families are forever.  I'm just so thankful.

 Straight down from where we were you could see Katrina's family congregated around her grave.  My heart was pretty tender.  I got to peek at baby Jett but I didn't get close, he's still so tiny.

 The cemetery was packed but full of beautiful flowers.

 Tommy was trying really hard to blow up the balloons at this grave.  We let him stay until he discovered that someone had left a cupcake in a container as a memorial for their loved one.  As soon as his eyes saw it we had to get him out of there!

The Sigua clan at Ima's grave

Feeding the Ducks

We went to Nielsons Grove park on Memorial Day to feed ducks and play with Laura, Bobby and the boys.  The baby ducks were darling and they liked the corn we brought to feed them.

 Laura brought bubble blowers for the kids to play with.  The kids loved them!

 Ashley and Little Ryan

 Shawn, Ashley and Ryan

 Bobby and Ashley

Katrina

My sweet dear friend passed away today.  I am so very tenderhearted.  In fact, my head hurts I've cried so much today.  Here is just a glimpse of her beautiful story, the story that I'm thankful to have been a part of even in a small way.

Her sweet family with new baby Jett Li.

This sweet baby is here because of the sacrifice of his angel mother.  He was her sixth child and sixth C-section.  She developed placenta previa and accreda (I think it how it's spelled).  She had been in the hospital on bedrest for several weeks but she made it to 34 weeks and then they delivered this beautiful little boy.  She was then rushed into surgery where the doctors and nurses fought hard to keep her here but they were unsuccessful. 
So many beautiful words have been said about Katrina, I feel unable to even express myself.
Suffice it to say, she was loving, generous, fun, creative and drew people to her like a magnet.  I'm not sure how her family will get along without her, but they are good strong people and I'm confident they will be surrounded by angels, foremost among them, their own sweet wife, mother, sister, daughter, etc.
Love you Katrina.

Update: June 2, 2013 (from Justus on Katrina's facebook page)

We miss you and cry everyday for you. Baby Jett li is good and sleeping through the night only waking up to feed. Koa loves Jett and always says "he's so cute" Maya is loving playing with her friends. Dax rides his new scooter after he p...uts on his winter coat and pants and is outside all day. Te has several cute girls calling to hang out, Kai has opened up and made a huge change, he still loves drawing. I still can't eat or sleep because I miss you so much. You have the best and most supportive family. I couldn't do this with out marissa and Bruce helping me so much. I look at your pictures and can't help but cry. I love you... Ill see you again