The Last of a Generation...

 My Uncle Bill Nibley, originally married to my mother's, (Aloha) sister Yvonne McMurray, passed away on March 21, 2016.  Aloha and Yvonne were very close and loved spending time together with each other and their sister, Wanda.  Aloha and Yvonne each passed away at the young age of 53. Their husbands married again and lived with their second wives for at least 40 years.  Bob died at 97. Bill died at 95.  Both second, younger, wives are still living.  I have so many memories of the times we spent together as cousins while our mothers shopped, cooked, laughed and enjoyed each other's company.
It's hard to believe that now I'm the "older generation."  All of the eight children of Raymond Elliott and Lillian Wilson McMurray and their spouses have now passed away.  Here are photos of some cousins and family members in attendance at the funeral.

 Debbie was the oldest daughter of Bill and Yvonne.  She is in the center with her husband Owen Blair.  From left to right is Owen Jr., Whitney and Lindsey and her husband.

 Robyn is the youngest daughter of Wanda.  She is talking with Bill Nibley Jr.

 Terry Eshenroeder, his wife Robyn, and my brother Greg.

 Left to right are Aaron Ostler, Mike Ostler, Vickie Ostler (Wanda's older daughter, and Steve Kerr.

 Karen, Ken and Lillian are three of the four surviving children of Carol and Glenn McMurray.

 Robyn, Greg, Steve and my sister, Cathy. Below are sisters Robyn and Vickie Moorefield (maiden names)-daughters of Wanda Moorefield Skousen.

 Bob and Marilyn Heiner and me, Kristen Price enjoying the fabulous luncheon provided by Bill's favorite restaurant, Market Street Grill.

Steve, Kristen and Debbie Nibley Blair, Bill's daughter.

March marches on...

On March 19, I took this picture in our CV yard.  These daffodils get the southern sun so they were the first to smile.  It made us smile.

My brother, Steve, turned 70 on March 21st.  We had a sibling lunch on the 24th at the new home Steve and Greg share in Murray.  It was a wonderful occasion except we missed Jackie.

Sat. night, the 26th, Heather's family pulled in from ID just in time to change into skirts, eat brats and pose for this photo before going to the General Women's Broadcast at our stake center.  I loved having two of our daughters and five of our granddaughters attend this spiritual feast with me.  I was thinking of other daughters, daughters-in-law and granddaughters doing the same in other locations.  Some of my favorite quotes are listed below:
"Throw away the mirrors and look thru the windows."  "Love is making space in your heart for someone else."  "All of us need a spiritual and physical place of belonging."  "What if their story were my story?" And Pres. Eyring,  "The Holy Ghost will guide you to do that which Heavenly Fathers wants you to do.  Pray about it, trusting that God will lead you to do what He wants you to do....As you go and serve, you don't go alone. He is with you."

On Saturday during the day, Korinne and Jameson helped with weeding and planting peas. We also attended the local home and garden show and worked in the kitchen preparing food for our Easter weekend.

Here's Steve cooking pancakes for the crowd and Britton sampling the asparagus and mushroom breakfast casserole.

We made corned beef and colcannon, Irish favorites, for the basis of our Easter dinner.  I rarely cook that kind of food for just the two of us so I used this gathering to make it as we really enjoy this on occasion.  I also tried a new recipe for coconut cake that turned out yummy so I will probably make that for my next bookclub meeting.

Saturday night after the broadcast, the kids colored Easter eggs, and enjoyed a little dancing and lip-syncing.

Sunday after dinner, we had a treasure/egg hunt.  Brinley and Tanner helped place the scripture clues and goodies around the yard.  After we did the Christ-themed treasure hunt in the back yard, we went to the front yard and finished up with a little more traditional egg and candy hunt.  Jantzen and Britton hid the eggs and candy.  There was plenty of stuff to go around.  Everyone had a bag or bucketful.

We loved celebrating the Savior's atonement and resurrection with Heather and Hilary's families.  We surely missed the rest of our family.  Everyone helped clean up and off they went.  Steve and I went for our walk and then did a little more cleaning up.  This morning we woke up to 5-6 inches of snow. We aren't shoveling though since we hope it will melt.  We are washing towels, clothes, etc., vacuuming and getting things ready for our trip to China this week.  We will be on the airplane when March marches out.

Wonderful Weekend !

Steve is in his element when he can help with a project.  So Saturday, he helped Adam install a new dishwasher.  Of course, Jameson loved the box.  Hope it keeps him occupied for a couple of days.  Boxes allow kids to be so creative!  So far the dishwasher is operating well--no leaks.  Hooray!

The weather on Saturday was perfect for spring cleanup in the yard with just a jacket.  Hilary and Adam had to attend a wedding so Korinne and Jameson hung out with us and helped.  Korinne seems to enjoy yard work.  She got right in and helped me weed the flower beds and rake the snow mold spots in the grass.  She left the "poop patrol" to me, however.  There were a lot of deer droppings to scatter and also a lot of dog droppings to remove.  We aren't too happy about the dog droppings from our neighbor's dogs.  We were working to have the yard ready for the big "hunt" next weekend.

Steve installed a brick mowing edge along another bed in the back near the garden while we were weeding and raking.

 Sunday morning we tended Jameson while his family attended the Provo City Center Temple Dedication.  He wasn't feeling very well so he actually took a nap.  When he woke up and saw popcorn, he seemed to feel much better.  He ate almost the whole bag.

Steve and I attended the second dedicatory session.  It was conducted by Elder Dallin H. Oaks.  All of the talks were excellent and we really enjoyed the spirit of the meeting.  Elder Oaks also gave the dedicatory prayer.
We had time for a nice walk in the sunshine before we hosted Hilary's family for dinner.  Then it was off to do our home teaching.  We are privileged to home/visit teach together and we love it.
It was a beautiful day and every way!  We feel truly blessed!