DC with Brett

I just realized I don't have any pictures of people today, just random things. Whoops. Anyways, Brett picked me up bright and early at the airport. Too bad he didn't know the plane was going to be two hours late when he went to bed. I sent him a text telling him to check the flight before he picked me up. I just forgot to put the airline and flight number on it. He figured it out though. Brett took me home and I was able to see Marie and Mina before they went to school. Rachel then took Grace and Eve to Grace's preschool party. Brett and I headed to DC. It took awhile to find a parking space. I took a picture on my phone in case we needed to remember the number. Too bad I didn't use the picture! When we got back at the end of the day Brett had two tickets! What? He went and found a parking attendant to find out why. Turns out when Brett paid for parking he used the number 22446. How frustrating!

Brett and I wanted to go to the World War II museum. Neither of us had been there. We wanted to see if there was anything about Grandpa or the Rainbow division. The line was long when we were driving by, so we were worried all the tickets for the day had been given out. Turns out that because Brett is active military we were able to just go right in. Nice! We spent about three hours there, and we were even hurrying! The last thing we did was go up to the fifth floor to their research library. We asked the people if they could help us find anything. They showed us this video of Grandpa. It was taken in 1995 I think. I don't remember it. It was so fun to see him!

We found a few books. We think that Grandpa had this one because it looks kind of familiar. Still fun to find his name.

My grandpa's name is John "Jack" Parry

Brett and I had pizza at a place called & Pizza. Brett calls it 'and pizza', but the signs all say & Pizza.

& Pizza

Brett tried their cereal milk. He just had a little bit and said it was disgusting. I was not even tempted to try this at all. I hate the leftover milk in the cereal. That is what they actually advertised! Brooke might love it though. She likes drinking the leftover milk.

We still had money this time on the parking meter after we finished lunch. We decided to walk to Chinatown. It's not as big as Chinatown in San Francisco, but it was fun. Too bad Jorja or Preston couldn't translate for me!

I did love this crosswalk!

Chinatown here was mostly things you would regularly see, but with Chinese characters below it. For example:

 The Verizon Center ~ where the Wizards play

We did a quick run through of the National Art Museum. We found Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. Brett and I don't understand art. It was hard to figure out why some of the things in there were in there. How did they choose? Do things rotate? This license plate wall was my favorite. All of the states in alphabetical order making the preamble to the constitution. Clever.

We got home ten minutes before 5. Brett hurried and got me his laptop. I signed into skyward because arena scheduling was opening. Stockton decided he would love to take foods with Jorja. Jorja was so excited about that. There is only one spot left in foods and I wanted to get it! The problem was, in my mind I thought Stockton had math 1010 6th period. Nope. It was Team Sports, which he needs for graduation. How did I miss that? The only way to get it to work was for me to move AP Research to 1st semester and Team Sports to 2nd semester. I didn't want to do it without Stockton giving me the okay. I texted him, but he didn't see my message for a few minutes. He said it was fine, but by then the foods class was full. I'm so disappointed. Stockton and Jorja would have loved to have a class together! I kept checking the rest of the day. For the next two hours I was checking constantly. Dang it! If I would have realized his math class was 5th instead of 6th I would have already had a plan in action and I'm sure I could have gotten foods. I'm frustrated with myself!

The rest of the day we spent hanging out. Putting the girls to bed. Talking. Rachel is trying to figure out the best plan for their move to Florida. Lots of things to figure out. Glad that is not me!

Flowers for my Mom

It is really nice to be home.  It is really nice to take showers at home. Church was at 9:00 today.  After that, I did laundry.  All day long.  I was able to get all the clothes washed.  Sheets and towels will have to wait for another day.  We also brought flowers from my grandpa's funeral down to my mom's grave.  The grass looked pretty long, so after we took pictures I took the flowers home with me.  When I put flowers on from my grandma's funeral they lasted one day.  I think they threw them away when they cut the grass.  I'll check and see if the grass is cut and bring the flowers back tomorrow.

Maysen, Stockton, Preston, Stephanie, Jorja

Here are the two pictures I meant to put up yesterday instead of pictures of Taylor.  The flag is being folded right before it is handed to my Aunt Jackie.

Grandpa Parry's Funeral

I woke up pretty early and went inside Grandpa's house.  I turned on a light to find Mike (my brother) sleeping on the couch.  Whoops.  I had a book, so I read for awhile in the piano room.  Later I found a history my grandma had put together that was fascinating.  For example, I had asked my Grandma where the name Larkin came from.  She couldn't remember.  She said she wished she would have asked.  In the family history Grandma had put together years ago it said that Larkin in Harriett Larkin Borrowman came from her father's favorite niece that had died young.  I couldn't believe it!  I had wished I knew where Larkin came from for so long.  I looked up on family search and found that Harriett's dad, William Park Borrowman was the youngest in his family.  The oldest was his sister Jane Duncan Borrowman who was married to Thomas Vickers.  Their second child was a girl who was named Jane Larkin Vickers.  She was almost five years old when she died.  She was born on January 1st and died on my birthday, December 27th.  William Borrowman was 29 years old when she died.  He married Susannah West Wheeler almost 4 years later when he was 33 years old.  His first girl was named Harriett Larkin.  I wonder where Jane Larkin got her name from.  I wonder if she went by Jane or Larkin.  Sweet little girl has many people named after her.  Many amazing people.

Okay, enough rambling.  We headed over to the church around 10:30. There was a viewing and family prayer before the service.  I helped several of my cousins carry the flowers into the chapel.  I snapped a picture of this arrangement.  Look at the cool golf balls!

Maysen and I rode with Mike, Brett and Grace to the cemetery.  It was raining and the sky was gloomy.  Grace was out by the time we got to the cemetery.  Brett left her asleep in the car and kept checking on her. She slept the entire time.  We decided to go look at Uncle George's grave before we left.  Brett checked on Grace before we walked there. Totally asleep.  We walked there and back, it probably took five minutes.  Grace was crying when we got back.  Poor little girl.

Grace

My grandpa was buried with full military honors.  He certainly deserved it.

 Frank, John, Dad, Terry

Mark, Brad, Steve, Glade

 Shots for my Grandpa

My cousin Larkin's daughter Rennie didn't like this at all!

Whoops.  Looks like I accidentally put a picture of Taylor opening his mission call instead of the soldiers folding Grandpa's flag.  I should really label my photos so they don't end up having the same numbers.

Taylor, Melissa, Nova, Aimee

 Taylor is serving in Argentina right now

 Uncle John and Aunt Jackie being presented the flag.

 My dad putting his flower on the casket.

 Glade putting his flower on the casket.

 Mike photobombing

Together again

It rained all during the family prayer and the presentations, but cleared up enough for pictures.

Mike & Maysen

 Preston

 Stephanie & Preston

 Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren

Robert, Rozie, Chad, Katie, Devin, Camille
Savannah (pretending she's short) Jake, Jordyn, Heather
Stephanie, Jeff, Terry, Brooke, David, Lauren

I think Jackson's head, Nathan, Courtney, Justin, Markell
Mike, Matt, Bubs' head, John, Brett, Paul

Sharon wanted to gather individual families for pictures.  Too bad Bubs' kids were having a melt down and others were scattered around. Oh well, we did the best we could.

Cassie & Brandon, John, Lincoln, Stephanie, John, Mike, Preston

Stockton, Brett, Jorja, Anne, Dad, Matt, Bubs, Millie, Sam

 Mallory is in this one

Rozie wanted a picture with the original nine granddaughters.  Tammi had already left, so there is only eight of us.  Grandpa had 28 grandchildren.  19 boys and 9 girls.  We were a bit outnumbered.

Brooke, Jordyn, Markell, Heather

Lauren, Rozie, Courtney, Stephanie

 Courtney & Stephanie

Back at the church we had delicious ham, potatoes, rolls, salad and cake.  The Relief Society had a lot of people to feed!  I sat by Brooke and Cassie, so great to talk with both of them.

Brandon & Grace had a great time together

 Trevor came and joined them

 Trevor

I asked Justin to take a picture of me and my brothers.  He and Sharon left me several selfies.  Awesome.

Justin

 Justin & Sharon

 Mike, Bubs, Matt, Stephanie, Brett, John

Preston has a snaggletooth.  It was loose a couple of months ago, but when his new tooth started coming in it wedged his tooth in there instead of pushing the tooth out.  Strangely this is just what our dentist warned us would happen.  Sometimes when Preston smiles his tooth sticks out of his mouth.  I wasn't sure what to do about it, so as Mike was getting in his car I showed it to him.  Mike asked Preston if he could pull it out.  Preston let him.  This tooth was in there tight, but he got it out.

Mike & Preston

 Starting to get uncomfortable

 Very uncomfortable

 Hurts!

Mike got it out!  He gave Preston $5 for being so brave.  Mike said he has done that a couple of times before and Preston is the only one who didn't cry.  It was pretty stuck in there, I didn't think he could do it.  I should never doubt Mike.

Preston

 Dad & Mike

Mike had to catch a plane in Salt Lake at 8:00.  Wish he could have stayed longer.  It was awesome he could make it.  Christen is in Las Vegas with her family.  Her sister just came home from her mission this week.  They had a baptism today and her sister's mission homecoming is tomorrow.  Mike is flying into Vegas to make it to that.  I'm glad he was able to squeeze this in because I know Christen has been planning that trip to Vegas for a long time now!  Bubs had to leave early too, but my dad and the rest of my brothers gave Mike a good-bye squeeze.

Brett, Dad, Matt, Mike, Stephanie, John

 Trevor wanted to join us

The best part of the day was when the sky cleared up and we had a family softball game.  Grandpa would have loved that!  It was so much fun, even though I haven't played in years and it showed.  I wish Mike and Bubs could have played with us.  Brett was up first and hit a home run.

Brett

 Brett & Savannah

 Jordyn & Savannah

 Matt wearing Grandpa's hat

 Brooke

Savannah, Justin, Devin, Maysen sitting down

I was proud of Stockton.  He played the entire time, even though he doesn't really play softball at all.  It would be intimidating to play with my brothers and cousins who are so good!

Stockton

 John, Paul, Stockton

 Fun! Fun! Fun!

 Mallory loves to dress like Dorothy

I left a few minutes early with my kids and headed back to Grandma's house.  We needed to leave soon and Jackie said it would be okay if my kids each took something to remember Grandma & Grandpa.  We asked about everything, just in case.  Maysen found the dancing Santa. Stockton wanted the golf hole he would play with when he came.  Jorja picked out a little cardinal figurine and Preston wanted a gigantic gingerbread cookie jar.  When I asked if Preston could have it Jackie laughed and said, "Please!"  As we were driving away, Maysen regretted not getting the cardinal pillow.  I called Matt and asked if he could bring it to her.  I gathered a few things.  Suitcases, ours are ruined. Casserole dishes and the Santas I made Grandma years ago.  Brooke and I were discussing who should take Grandma's china.  We both would love it, but both agreed that it would work better for Brooke to have it.  If I knew I had a place to store it and could keep it safe I would have loved it.  I did take the Work and the Glory series that Grandma had.  I am missing a couple of books.  I just ordered Book 1 right before our trip.

I wanted to get a picture of my family on this bench.  So many memories of my Grandma sitting here!  We were anxious to leave, so I just grabbed my kids as they walked by.  We are taking Brett & Grace to the airport and don't want them to miss their flight!

Maysen

 Jorja & Maysen

 Preston

 Stephanie & Preston

 Stockton

 Mike & Stockton

My dad went home with Cathy and we took Brett, Grace and Max with us.  This isn't a great picture, but it was so cute to see Grace sitting there with the big kids.

Max, Preston, Grace, Jorja

 Jorja and Grace watching Blue's Clues in the bottom bunk

 Max, Grace, Preston

We got to the airport at exactly the right time.  I sure wish we could have had Brett stay longer.  Amazing that he was able to come at all with a brand new baby at home.  Luckily Rachel's mom is with them right now.  I know Brett is anxious to get back to her.  Grace slept for most of the way home.  Hopefully she'll sleep on the plane too!  Taking a red eye with a toddler could be interesting.

Brett & Grace, Mike

 Brett & Grace

We dropped Max off at my dad's and then got home a few minutes before midnight.  I'm excited to be home and excited to sleep in my own bed!  This is the Instagram post Mike shared with the caption: "3 weeks, 26 states, 7,100+ miles.  Wonderful trip - glad to be home!"