Seattle

We just got back from a relaxing, kid-free little trip to Seattle. My cousin Jessica married one of my brother's best friends and so Caton and I convinced Caton's mom to fly out and watch the kids so we could get away for a weekend. It was nice to decompress for a few days, especially right before the big move. Our weekend was full of good food, good books, good sleeping, and good conversation. I got to spend time with a lot of family that I rarely get to see.

Friday was the wedding. It was beautiful, but a little cold and rainy. Saturday was gorgeous. I spent the entire day lounging by the lake at my Grandma's house, working on my tan. A few people braved the cold water and went waterskiing. This included Caton (who is now sore in places he didn't think could get sore), my dad, MY GRANDMA (who is celebrating her 75th birthday this summer), and my cousin Chandler WHO ONLY HAS ONE LEG! Chandler skis better than me and it was amazing to watch him master such a difficult thing. 

Sunday we went to my Grandpa's grave. It was May 25th--exactly 7 years since he passed away. As one of the older grandchildren, I am grateful that I have many memories with my grandpa. I miss him and I am sad that my grandma is lonely. But coming right from a temple sealing and then being at the cemetery with almost all of my grandma and grandpa's family, I could not help but feel gratitude and safety in the sealing power that binds us as families. I think we need to constantly step back and adjust our perspective in order to see the bigger picture. When we have an eternal perspective, many of the "bigger" problems in our life don't seem so big any more. I love my family and I feel blessed to be able to be with them forever. 

Here are some pictures I took this weekend.

This is the view from my Grandma's deck.

I love this picture of my Dad. If you know his signature laugh you can just hear it from this picture.