Memorial Day

Memorial day came out of nowhere this year. Between traveling and end of school but not end of school it just came and went. We did celebrate putting together over 30 bouquets to decorate graves. The weather was windy and cold and made us wishing for jackets. The kids are becoming more involved with each passing year they did a lot of the arrangments. 

I'm thankful the kids know their cousins. Millie and Natalie cross paths often. James and Livy are more reserved yet also enjoy cracking jokes and observing from a distance. 

All done and ready to roll. Livy continues to have her own sense of style. 

We all loved the name of this rose the ketchup and mustard rose. It's real, and so unique. The roses were ready this year- that's rare- we enjoyed sharing them. 

At the cemetery the kids all take one or two and we begin finding the graves. Some are easy and some elude us almost every year. There is a master list that keeps getting longer, thankfully we have more and more helpers. I think Great grandma would be so tickled to see all these energetic kiddos remembering and sharing time with family from the past. 

My mom took some quiet moments to explain connections and what she knew about people we were remembering. The kids did a good job listening and being respectful. 

A special bouquet for the one missing from this picture. 4 were born in 6 months. One went to heaven early. These commemorate him each year. 

After a yummy lunch of hamburgers and hotdogs Papa took anyone who wanted on a hay ride. While the sun was out it was breezy and just right to be outside. 

The flowers were gorgeous and the time together was good. I'm thankful for traditions with family that keeps us connected as we want to be. I remember Memorial days from my childhood helping my grandmother clip and pick flowers from her yard, the scurry to get them in containers. The solemn walk around the cemetery, the visits with her neighbors, and then begging and pleading to eat lunch at her house. Sometimes we did sometimes there was too much going on on the farm. We would cook hamburgers in her oven and have them outside in her cement shaded area, we would roll down her hill and visit with both grandparents. My kids know this holiday and look forward to the traditions it now holds. Life is good and we are blessed abundantly as the years roll by.