Memorial Day Memories

Memorial Day is the perfect opportunity to do some family history with the family!  We traditionally visit the grave sites of our grandparents to decorate them with flags (for the veterans) and flowers.  Bountiful sets up a field of crosses to remember all the veterans buried in that cemetery.  We took a flag and put it at the cross of Kevin's dad, Lee Watt Robins.

Lee Watt Robins - Veteran Memory Marker

Since we were going to be at the cemetery I decided to take my cell phone and use the GPS feature and the Billion Graves app to take photos of family graves, upload them to the internet and then transcribe them into the Billion Graves database making them searchable for anyone, anytime, any where in the world!  Plus it is amazing technology and a lot of fun!  By the way did I mention that the Billion Graves app is FREE?

Kevin's Parents Marker

The east side of Kevin's parents marker

Kevin's sister Susan is buried just east of his parents.

The other cool thing about this app is that you simply point and shoot the picture.  You then upload to the website at your convenience and the photos are placed in a file where you can either transcribe and edit them or simply turn them over to the general public and someone else will do that for you.  The app, using the GPS feature in your smartphone determines the latitude and longitude of the grave, the name of the cemetery you took the photo in and maps the gravesite for you!  Love it!

The cemetery where my paternal grandparents and Uncle Joe are buried.

 I also take a photo of the cemetery sign--two reasons for this:  First I have a poor memory and it helps me remember who is buried where, and secondly it is nice in my genealogy file to have this information for others.  I am amazed how many cemeteries are listed under several names and having the sign as a starting point really helps.

My dad's brother and my uncle.

My paternal grandparents

I took my camera along to take photos just in case the phone thing didn't work out I had a backup for my own use.  It is always nice to have a photo in case I want to upload to other online sites such as Find A Grave or to blog or digitally scrapbook with them.

 Kaysville City Cemetery is the resting place of choice of many of Kevin's ancestors.  Both of his grandparents are buried here as is his baby sister and many others--including ancestors who came here from Nauvoo!  We love to go and roam around looking for new descendants!

Kevin's paternal grandparents

Kevin's maternal grandparents

Kevin's baby sister, Kristine

I hope to add this tradition to my vacation list and as we travel to take the time to stop and seek out the burial spots of other ancestors to add to my family history database.  It helps these relatives become real individuals for me.  P.S.:  as we reflected over memories at the graveside of Kevin's parents with his sisters I was quietly compiling a list of places I need to visit and document!  Happy Memorial Day family and to our ancestors--thanks for the legacy of love you left us!

A Letter to My Daughter's on Mother's Day

 "My dear girl, the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don’t interrupt to say: “You said the same thing a minute ago”... Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep. When I don’t want to take a bath, don't be mad and don’t embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl? When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don’t look at me that way... remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life’s issues every day... the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If I occasionaly lose track of what we’re talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can’t, don’t be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you. And when my old, tired legs don’t let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked. When those days come, don’t feel sad... just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love. I’ll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I’ve always had for you, I just want to say, I love you... my darling daughter. "

Happy Mother's Day!

The Blessing of Taylor Lyn Bradshaw

Today, Sunday, May 6, 2012, was a crisp, clear beautiful sunny day.  A perfect day to bless a beautiful baby girl!  Taylor Lyn Bradshaw was blessed by her father Mark today.  The circle of Priesthood holders present for this special occasion was so large I wondered if every man would actually be able to participate. It is such a wonderful problem to have!


This event was weeks in the planning.  First was the finding of the dress!  A princess needs a proper gown.  It was long, white, and very lacy.  Then there was the bow, "ruffle bum", and satin slippers.  Finally there was the bracelet, blinkie with bling and the matching binkie clip.  Katie and I spent several days compiling this ensemble!  Then there was the photo shoot!  Every event needs its pictures to secure it in your memory! What a beautiful little girl Taylor is!

Taylor's Blessing Dress

You can't have a party without cake--so what better for a blessing day than a diaper cake complete with all the essentials needed for a princess!

Since we would be celebrating in the backyard we made tissue pom poms to decorate the area!

And we spent several days trying new food ideas.  Here are the cake pops we made--they disappeared quickly and were a real party hit!

We even had a fruit baby!  It was darling and delicious on a warm spring day!

After sharing a delicious meal with family and friends it was time for the photos to be taken!  Everyone protests a bit but when all is said and done--the photos are what make the events a memory!

Taylor and Katie with Great-grandpa and Great-grandma Olsen

The Bradshaw Clan

Posing with Dad, the great-grandparents Groen,and  Bradshaw and Papa Bradshaw

The men in Taylor's life!

Three generations:  Papa, Dad, Taylor

A photo with Grandma and Grandpa Robins

The Robins' Relatives

Kirk Tidwell family

Four Generations:  Grandma Robins, Great-grandma and Great-grandpa Olsen, Mom and Taylor

The Everett Family

The Bradshaw family with Oma and Papa Bradshaw

Two sisters, two babies, two cousins!

It was a picture perfect blessing day!

Temple Tears

This morning I attended an endowment session with my best friend.  At the conclusion of the session, as I was repeating the words I have uttered so many times before, I was overcome with emotion.  The words I was saying sunk deep into my heart and mind.  My voice broke and I started to shake as I tried to keep my emotions in check.  The tears were flowing freely as I entered the celestial room.  I was overcome with a great sense of peace as I sat there for a few minutes and reflected on that experience.  How grateful I am for temple blessings--for eternal sealing powers that seal families together forever.  My greatest hope is to one day return, united eternally with my entire family, to my Heavenly Father.  What a blessing it is in my life to be able to attend the temple frequently and feel of the love and peace that is present there.