Rewind, part 2 - Bubbles and Candles

April brought fresh snow on the mountain tops and the turkey vultures returned for their brief sojurn through our area.  It also brought Brent's birthday, which was on a Friday this year, and he thought the best way he could celebrate was by going to a grandson's ballgame and enjoying a ballpark hotdog.  So that's exactly what we did.   Well, I enjoyed a hotdog.  He got a hamburger.

Jack can duck when a ball comes racing with a target pointed to his head.

That's our (grand)boy!

And we had fun at the game.  It was good to just be there, cheering Jack's team on to victory and watching him play.

While we were celebrating Brent's birthday, his sister, whose birthday is the same day,  was celebrating hers in a different way.  Well, maybe celebrating is the definitely the wrong term.  News from the care center was that Leo had pulled out his feeding tube yet again and did the family want it put back in?  It was a tough time; there were some tough decisions that needed to be made. 

Saturday morning Brent and his family met and after a long discussion, exploring the facts, the choices and options and the expected outcomes, they reached the painful conclusion that Leo was, indeed, on his deathbed and time had come for them to allow him to go.  I know it was not an easy choice to make, but they all felt comfortable and at peace that it was the correct and right choice.  Actually, the choice was being made for them.  At a certain point mortal men can no longer turn back the clock on what is eventually the outcome of all our lives.

So Conference Saturday carried with it the sorrowful realization that we would be facing Leo's funeral much sooner than any of us would have expected.  We went through the day, listened to the wonderful talks, did our shopping, and carrying heavy hearts through it all.

That evening, Mike came down and left Lilly with me to watch her while Makinzee took the older children to a ballet and Mike joined Brent and Bill for the Priesthood Session.  Tony and Jonathan English joined them as well.  Lilly was adorable at our house but it wasn't long before she really just wanted to go play with Ashlyn.  She'd wander down the hall asking, "Ashlyn?"  "Ashlyn?" and wasn't too happy when I got a phone call that delayed our trip out to play at Bill's house.

When the men returned from their meeting, Brent was greeted with big hugs and grins as he gathered Karsyn and Lilly both into his arms.  I love this photo!

Sunday evening we celebrated Brent's birthday as a family.  Bill had just completed his big weekend project of putting together a new set of swings/playhouse for his girls and the kids were all more than happy to try it out.   Great initiation!

Brilliant kids figured that two slides placed together had to be like a roller coaster ride, right?   Well, not exactly.  It got parted pretty quickly after the collisions at the base of the first sent a few to their parents in tears.

Ashlyn was thrilled to have Great Grandma Loveridge come join us.  Not sure if it was for her or for her cane?  (We know, it was for her.   But the cane was a nice addition, too.)

For Brent to tease Heather with, as well.

Kamryn found a great listening ear in her grandpa.

And the girls found princess things to play with as well.

Mike and Edna:

GIFT TIME!
After a yummy dinner of spare ribs and all the fixings, it was time to open gifts.  We tried to gather all the grandkids into one space at the same time.  But they wouldn't gather.   Until they found out this birthday was going to be a little different.

Grandpa was not opening gifts ....

Instead he was giving gifts out!

 

Hooray for BUBBLES! and a bright spring day to take them outside in!

Maddy turned bubble blowing into a dance!

And Lilly turned it into a game of chase!

Ashlyn just wanted to blow her OWN bubbles.  I think she finally got it, but not until she had thoroughly entertained her Aunt Heather.  Maybe that was her entire intention all along.

Can you tell I've been having fun with PhotoShop?

It started to rain, even with the sun shining through.  I thought rain drops reflecting sun drops was a great combination with bubble drops, but apparently the camera did not agree.

With wet kids in tow, it was time finally for the CAKE!

Make a wish, Grandpa!

and BLOW!   (yeah ... notice Bill)

Leslie - born with a silver spoon in her mouth and it is still there....

Brent and Edna:

We had a good time.  We knew we were going deeper into hard times, but it was good to know the good times were still there for us to enjoy as well!   Happy Birthday, Brent!