Memorial Day Weekend

May 27th,2011

My sister Lisa and I had already decided to get together over Memorial day. Even though we both had just taken time off for the funeral. We agreed we needed some fun instead of sadness. So on Friday her and her roommate came down for the weekend! I was really excited to see them and do some fun stuff! We hung around and watched movies and relaxed on the first day. On Saturday we were up and gone early to head to the coast. We wanted to go to Heceta head lighthouse first so we put it on the Gps and had quite a scenic back road adventure. We even crossed poodle creek road but didn't see any poodles:( We finally got to Heceta head and hiked up to the lighthouse keeper's house. I was feeling kind of woozy from all the corner's taken in the car so I sat on the porch while Amy and Lisa walked to the light house. It was so relaxing just sitting there listening to the ocean I found myself dozing off. After that we drove down a ways and started looking for a place to eat. We came across the blue whale cafe and of course just dove in. They were pretty busy because of the weekend and I was tempted to leave but just then the 1 and only waitress showed up! We had some pretty good burgers. We decided since the weather was gorgeous (and that NEVER happens at the Oregon Coast) we would play on the beach.We had so much fun and got just a little bit on the wet side oops! We headed for the Oregon Coast Aquarium which I think everyone had the same idea. We saw some pretty crazy things there like an anaconda snake that was 18 feet long! We also saw some pretty neat fish and some sharks. It was fun and I had lucked out and gotten tickets on sale for Lisa and Amy. That place is usually pretty expensive. After that we went down to the bay front to pick up our usual Aunt Belinda's famous soft taffy. Of course no trip is complete without stopping at the Dairy Queen for an ice cream treat. It was a really fun day and the weather was so great! We didn't really do much the rest of the time they were here except our usual games, games, games! I love to do that as much as anything and eating and talking. Time goes to quickly and soon they had to head back home. We had so much fun and laughed alot. I cant wait till they come back for another visit!


Look at the gorgeous ocean

At first glance out the car window

Sandcastle cake

Ta da we did it!

making a sand castle cake before the tide comes in

Get back here comes the water

just going to walk in the water

bridge and cool sky behind Amy and Lisa

I thought this would be a fun idea for a picture and it turned out!

My cool sister driving

The view sitting on the porch of the lighthouse keeper's house!

Taking a little break for a picture

Lisa with the bridge in the background

The ocean before hiking up to the lighthouse

Memories of Grandma's

This picture was taken only a week before my grandma passed away! This is how I always remember her. With a smile and a wave to hurry back.


This probably just looks like a junky desk to most people. This is my grandpa's desk full of memories. He sat at this desk day after day typing one key at a time making a journal of all the years he was married.My grandma would write too if he was to tired to do it. They didn't ever miss a single day.


This is called the shack or as my grandma called it the Dream house. It had mosquito netting around it. There was a big double bed and a lamp out there and it was a favorite spot of the cousins. We loved sleeping there and occasionally in the afternoon we found grandma and grandpa taking a snooze:)

I have been thinking alot about grandma's and all the memories I have with her. I just wanted to write them down. I know there are lots more but these are some of my top favorites.

your love of flowers and spending time in your greenhouse and your garden of eden
your good hotcakes with homemade raspberry jam
your love of singing and your sweet voice
all of the stories you would read and games you would play
the fun sleepovers at your house with popcorn and pepsi and the crossword
decorating for Christmas time and listening to music
driving around looking at the lights
singing endless christmas songs while you played the uke
Christmas goodie bags and matching pajama's
finding Easter baskets in your huge yard
playing in the irrigation water for hours
making flower arrangements and taking them to the cemetery for Memorial day
having you bring us picnic lunches in the old playhouse
swinging on the rope swing
canning all kinds of fruits and veggies
relaxing in the gazebo with a glass of pink lemonade or eskimo pie
watching you lead the singing at church when we would visit
hiding under the covers with you during a storm
running around the yard with sparklers and having our own mini fireworks show
feeding the fish
watching the moon flowers open at night
helping you with cooking and enjoying your cooking
washing dishes
watching general conference and playing bingo
how fun you made birthdays
sleeping out in the shack
swimming in the nice warm pool outside
helping with my homework
always laughing about everything and making up fun stories and songs
watching lawrence welk with you

I am going to really miss you grandma! Till we meet again may God bless you!

Goodbye and memories of grandma

May 17th,2011


My grandma Jean Braegger passed away on May 10th, 2011 very peacefully. I wanted to mention that 2 hours before she passed away I said a prayer asking Heavenly Father to please let her go in peace. I feel it was an answer to a prayer to hear that she did so. My aunt was by her side when she slipped through the veil to meet her sweetheart of 50 plus years. I knew it was going to be a great reunion since most of her friends were gone. She left a hole in my heart that continues to ache for her. What can I say I spent so much more time with her then any other grandchild. I have so many memories of her because I chose to be there as much as I was. I will be forever grateful for that opportunity. I was asked to give a small talk at her funeral about some of the grand kids memories. I knew I would have a really hard time with this. I decided to ask my dad for a blessing the day of. I was such a wreck after the family prayer and even after the first speaker started. I had a neat experience happen as soon as the speaker was almost finished I stopped crying. I was calm and at peace. I got up and said my talk without hesitation. Only when I started thinking about what I was saying did I get teary. The grand kids had to sing right after that and I thought we sounded great. For only having 1 practice right before the program it really came together. I was able to cry the rest of the service. I know grandma was pleased looking down at us during the service. The people that did the flowers really out did themselves. The sprays on her casket and right next to it were so beautiful. We all took a flower after the prayer at the cemetery. Here are some pictures of that day.


Right before the family prayer

Lisa and Ivy

The flower arrangement from the grandkids

Her spray on top of the casket

The program

A horrible picture of me looking pregnant. I just picked a flower from her arrangement to have dried.

My cousin picking her flower

Grandma's casket which was pink her favorite color!

Grandma

Did I mention that I have had a really crazy year! Its been so busy mostly with things that make me sad. I have had 3 funerals in 5 months! I don't think anyone should ever have to do that. I think I am finally ready to share my thoughts about my grandma Braegger. Although my grandma was 91 and had no quality of life left this was a hard death for me. I have always been really close with my grandma. We had a special bond and I loved being near her. She always told me that I made her day when I called or came to visit. She was never a negative person. She always had a smile on her face and was so cheerful. After my grandpa passed away my sister and I had a chance to live with her. It was a very special experience that neither one of us will forget. I am so glad she never had to go to a nursing home or retirement place. My aunt Paula and Uncle Kelley made it possible to have her stay with them till the end. They were so good to her and gave up so much. I put a couple of pictures of them how cute are they! I am going to do a different post about the funeral.

Happy Father's Day

What Makes A Dad

God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,

The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,

The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,

Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it ... Dad

~Author unknown ~

This is such a perfect poem for my dad! He is all of this and more. I am so blessed to have him in my life. I love you dad!

I have lots of stuff to blog but you will all have to be patient with me. I have has so much on my plate lately. I have a couple of big things coming up.As soon as I get through them I will start blogging and catching up again. Thanks for being understanding.