Remembering Gramma

In April, my dear Gramma was relieved from her suffering and went to be with Jesus.  Though photos could never do justice to a life of memories, I'd be remiss to not share some moments from a weekend spent celebrating and remember Gramma's life. 

Considering that much of my life has been spent living in different places, I count it a unique blessing that I was able to live near Gramma twice as an adult; first during my OBU days.  I used Gramma and Sara's washer and dryer regularly(!) and gratefully enjoyed their treating me to Olive Garden dinners.  I could always count on Gramma to be an encouraging listening when I practiced my piano at her house.

And most recently, we enjoyed living near Gramma since moving to Cheverly.  How special for my children to get to know their Great Gramma!  They developed their own special memories of her, which included 7-11 slurpee deliveries, watching cooking shows together, and celebrating birthdays at McDonalds =)

As Gramma's health began to decline, I was grateful to be nearby and count it a privilege to have watched the way Steve, Vallerie, and Sara cared for her in her last days, making arrangements for Gramma to be home and comfortable.

It was a beautiful day outside.  Gramma died peacefully in the morning.  And that night we had a Martin enchilada feast in her honor.

The following Easter weekend, I flew to Oklahoma to be with family for the memorial service.  Spending those days with Aubyn and my parents was so special.

Many of the Martin family had dinner together at Uncle Bob's deli.

A special time catching up with the Devoss family.

The graveside service was simple and lovely.

Aubyn and I were slightly blown away by the good 'ol southern cooking pot luck lunch the ladies from First Baptist provided for the family!

The memorial service was held at First Baptist Church.  We sang, a few people shared, and we cried through a photo tribute to Gramma's life.  Deborah thoughtfully made the time to drive down and be with us for the service.

That night, we got together with family again and remembered Gramma with poppers; a Christmas tradition that includes a silly paper hat that we insisted everyone put on for a least a minute =)

When in Oklahoma . . . eat at Braum's.

I am thankful for the dear memories I have of Gramma, and the time I got to spend with family celebrating her life.  

April Fun

We found a fun stick fort on a walk through the Patuxent Wildlife Refuge area

Haven't we done this before?!  Rooke saved the 

Bridgette took her brother's idea and requested a family trip to Climb Zone for a family birthday bash.  It was another great night of fun!

Our beautiful seven-year-old!

A walk around the Tidal Basin with friends

Sibling love!

The girls helped me plant a couple raspberry stalks

A new trampoline!!  After seven years of HARD use (not to mention four moves), the trampoline my parents bought us in England was retired.  The kids worked with Ryan to set up a new trampoline - hooray!

Working on a history project for school - a may of the transcontinental railroad route with salt dough

Bridgette is my first kid who chooses to read and walk instead of putting the book down!

Rooke had the cool opportunity to play in a free flag football league with a friend - they practiced and played right next to the Washington Monument!  Sometimes I still pinch myself that we live where we do!

Scenes from the future teenager Bridgette - chillin' with a book, propped up with the massager?! =)

Have I ever mentioned how much Rooke loves breakfast?!  It's his love language.  

It's freckles season around here!

The kids and I went for a hike one the Billy Goat Trail along the Potomac during our (late!) Spring Break

Another fun Spring Break morning was spent with friends walking through the Azalea Trail at the Arboretum

At the end of our Spring Break, we joined up with a couple other families and took part in an educational event at Gettysburg.  It was our first time to visit.  The walking tour through some old battlefields was interactive and enlightening.

Standing where President Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address.  Rooke and Gretchen both memorized his speech this year.

March with Family {Part 2}

March ended with a bang when The Oklahoma Paynes drove all the way up to share their Spring Break with us!  It was a wonderful week, especially getting to be around the youngest of the bunch: Cora.  Hooray for a week of family time!  And these three precious cousins played and played . . .

and played together =)

Thanks to Grammy Deb for the Cousin Crew t-shirts!

Bridgette's birthday fell on the first full day of the Payne's visit.  For the second year in a row, she requested a trip to the Postal Museum and lunch at Shake Shack.  But not before Daddy surprised her with a large squishamallow!

Look how precious Rooke and Cora are together in this photo!

Happy Birthday to our sweet, spunky, diligent, smart, and fun seven-year-old!  She wanted a chocolate-chocolate cake with chocolate chips!

Phoebe and Uncle Sean got to join us on a field trip to the Kennedy Center to hear the National Symphony Orchestra perform.  They put on a fantastic concert for kids!

Afterwards, the big kids got to do a stop, drop, and sightsee with Uncle Sean . . . I stopped the car, dropped everyone off on the curb, and let them sightsee while I drove around to swing back by and pick them up!

"Ok, everybody - let's take a group photo!"

Take One: 

Take Two: 

Take Three: nailed it! =)