I’m sorry for yet another long slideshow, but it’s just the best way to show a bunch of pictures. It seems like every time I take a picture someone says something like, “I’ll be watching for this on your blog.” This is my attempt to include everybody! Enjoy!
This weekend was wonderful (and very busy!) It started out Friday evening with my family and the Relay for Life. Both my Grandpa and Grandma Petersen died of cancer, so our family has used this event as a family reunion for the past several years. We first started the relay six years ago after my Grandma Vone died of colon cancer. This was our first relay without Grandpa Claude, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just one year ago this month and died in July. He had already survived a bout of prostate cancer, so he always had the honor of wearing the purple “Survivor” t-shirt and representing our team in the Survivor Walk. It was so different this year not having him there. I miss him and my grandma so much and often think of how they would have loved little Garrett’s big smile and red hair. Grandma Vone’s maiden name was Garrett, so it’s wonderful for us to know that her legacy lives on in our little boy. Since that first relay six years ago, several other family members have lost other loved ones to cancer, so our team has expanded. Every year it just gets bigger and bigger and more and more fun! It was especially meaningful for us this year as our cousin Jan is fighting thyroid cancer. We were hoping she would be able to represent us this year during the Survivor Walk, but she just wasn’t up to it. We were so glad she was able to ride over and at least visit for a bit! Thanks so much to Chad for all of the hard work he puts every year into the relay. We wouldn’t have a team if it wasn’t for him! The Relay for Life is always a highlight of my summer and I love the opportunity to be with family and new friends. We are already looking forward to next year!
On Saturday, we drove to Price for a Phillips family reunion. Greg’s Grandpa Phillips died when Willy (Greg’s dad) was just a few days old, so none of us have ever had the pleasure of knowing him or even much about him. RaeDell (Willy’s dad’s cousin) was turning 80 and wanted to have a family reunion to celebrate her birthday. She is a cute, spunky little thing and I would never believe she is 80 years old! It was so fun to meet her and some of Willy’s other cousins and learn a little more about Willy’s dad and Greg’s grandpa. Greg’s grandpa’s name was Wilford Phillips, so it’s also wonderful for us to know his legacy is living on through our little Garrett Wilford. Greg and I often talk about how proud his Grandpa must be to know that although he died when his only child was just a baby, he does a wonderful posterity and our little Garrett is his first great-grandchild. Hopefully there are many more little Phillips babies to come!
Sunday was a beautiful day with lots of sunshine and blue sky. We spent the evening at Willy’s sister Sandy’s house. I LOVE Sandy’s house and she has the most amazing yard! Every time we go, I always ask her if we can move in (or at least have it when she dies). Her house is just a tiny little quaint cottage with lots of character and charm. She is an amazing gardener and I have never seen flowers so beautiful. Not only that, but she is a FABULOUS cook! Unfortunately, most of the women in Greg’s side of the family are, which isn’t so good for a girl who just had a baby and is trying to get back into her old clothes! I’m usually not a big hamburger fan, but these ones literally melted right in your mouth. Combine that with spinach-artichoke dip, homemade cinnamon rolls, shrimp salad, and four different cream pies. Let’s just say many of us decided our diets would have to wait until tomorrow (or some other time really soon!) Of course, Garrett was a big hit and loved getting smothered with kisses and love. Garrett was so worn out from our busy weekend he slept until almost noon today.
This weekend was wonderful (and very busy!) It started out Friday evening with my family and the Relay for Life. Both my Grandpa and Grandma Petersen died of cancer, so our family has used this event as a family reunion for the past several years. We first started the relay six years ago after my Grandma Vone died of colon cancer. This was our first relay without Grandpa Claude, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just one year ago this month and died in July. He had already survived a bout of prostate cancer, so he always had the honor of wearing the purple “Survivor” t-shirt and representing our team in the Survivor Walk. It was so different this year not having him there. I miss him and my grandma so much and often think of how they would have loved little Garrett’s big smile and red hair. Grandma Vone’s maiden name was Garrett, so it’s wonderful for us to know that her legacy lives on in our little boy. Since that first relay six years ago, several other family members have lost other loved ones to cancer, so our team has expanded. Every year it just gets bigger and bigger and more and more fun! It was especially meaningful for us this year as our cousin Jan is fighting thyroid cancer. We were hoping she would be able to represent us this year during the Survivor Walk, but she just wasn’t up to it. We were so glad she was able to ride over and at least visit for a bit! Thanks so much to Chad for all of the hard work he puts every year into the relay. We wouldn’t have a team if it wasn’t for him! The Relay for Life is always a highlight of my summer and I love the opportunity to be with family and new friends. We are already looking forward to next year!
On Saturday, we drove to Price for a Phillips family reunion. Greg’s Grandpa Phillips died when Willy (Greg’s dad) was just a few days old, so none of us have ever had the pleasure of knowing him or even much about him. RaeDell (Willy’s dad’s cousin) was turning 80 and wanted to have a family reunion to celebrate her birthday. She is a cute, spunky little thing and I would never believe she is 80 years old! It was so fun to meet her and some of Willy’s other cousins and learn a little more about Willy’s dad and Greg’s grandpa. Greg’s grandpa’s name was Wilford Phillips, so it’s also wonderful for us to know his legacy is living on through our little Garrett Wilford. Greg and I often talk about how proud his Grandpa must be to know that although he died when his only child was just a baby, he does a wonderful posterity and our little Garrett is his first great-grandchild. Hopefully there are many more little Phillips babies to come!
Sunday was a beautiful day with lots of sunshine and blue sky. We spent the evening at Willy’s sister Sandy’s house. I LOVE Sandy’s house and she has the most amazing yard! Every time we go, I always ask her if we can move in (or at least have it when she dies). Her house is just a tiny little quaint cottage with lots of character and charm. She is an amazing gardener and I have never seen flowers so beautiful. Not only that, but she is a FABULOUS cook! Unfortunately, most of the women in Greg’s side of the family are, which isn’t so good for a girl who just had a baby and is trying to get back into her old clothes! I’m usually not a big hamburger fan, but these ones literally melted right in your mouth. Combine that with spinach-artichoke dip, homemade cinnamon rolls, shrimp salad, and four different cream pies. Let’s just say many of us decided our diets would have to wait until tomorrow (or some other time really soon!) Of course, Garrett was a big hit and loved getting smothered with kisses and love. Garrett was so worn out from our busy weekend he slept until almost noon today.
How wonderful to wear yourself out having fun!
8 comments:
What a neat thing that you guys do in honor of those who've passed away from cancer. That's really cool! I love Garrett's shirt, too cute! So we REALLY should get together this summer, we miss you guys, and would love to see your little one. We'll have to meet somewhere in the middle! Any suggestions?
That's so cool! And I hope Garret is all better now! Poor guy. Dax just got his first cold when we visited Utah this last week, but he's doing good. Still, its not fun to see them sick!
So I for sure need to get pictures from you- you took WAY more than I did. What a fun weekend. I too look forward to the relay every year.
Love the "cancer stinks" shirt. That is GREAT!
That is so great that your family does the Relay for Life every year. You all looked so cute in your T-shirts. I loved Garrett's shirt as well. He is so cute and I love the little faces he makes. So, I am missing you pretty badly, Nat, and we need to get together soon. We have no excuse now that Sarah is in Utah!!!
Yea, family!! The relay looks so fun...maybe one year we'll make it. I'm glad Jan is doing better..and I love the Cancer Stinks shirt! So cute!
I felt bad we missed the relay, but it was fun to come and have a little party in the car. Claude and Vone would sure be proud of little Garrett. The Relay for Life is a great time to stop and think about them and the wonderful people they were. I sure miss them both.
THANKS FOR THE GIFT! LOVE IT :)
Post a Comment