We had a pretty traditional Memorial Day weekend this year and I really enjoyed it. It makes me sad to think of all of our relatives, especially Grandparents that have passed on before my daughters got to know them. I want them to know about the great people that lived before them and for them to know that without these ancestors they wouldn't be here.
We started out on Sunday by taking a little trip to Moroni to visit the graves of my Great Grandpa and Grandma Christensen. They both passed on before Ryann or Austyn were born. I have many fond memories of my Great Grandparents and the thing I remember most about them is there love for one another. They were a great example to our family.
On Memorial Day we started out by going with Jamison's parents, Grandma Star, and Nikka and her girls to 3 different cemeteries. We started out in Santaquin visiting the graves of Jamison's Great Grandpa and Grandma Larsen. I never met Great Grandma Larsen and only Great Grandpa Larsen a few times. When we were first dating Great Grandpa Larsen used to live with Grandma Star and I remember how she took such good care of him. I hope that one day my kids will take care of me that way.
We then headed over to Salem to visit the grave of Jamison's Grandpa Drage, who died when Jamison was 18. I really wish I would have gotten a chance to meet Grandpa Drage. Jamison's Grandma Star is one of the neatest people I know, so I can only imagine that his Grandpa was pretty great also. 
Our next stop was in Benjamin to the graves of Jamison's Grandpa and Grandma Thornton and his little brother Jake. I never got the chance to meet Grandpa Thornton and Grandma Thornton died when Ryann was just a baby. Grandma Thornton was one of the sweetest ladies and loved throwing a big Christmas party and handing out presents to all her Great Grandkids, she has quite a few. After our stop in Benjamin we had breakfast with Jamison's family and hen headed to Salt Lake.
Our last stop of the day was a hard one, but not near as hard as I thought it would be. My Grandma Billie loved Memorial Day and I have many fond memories of going with her to Samaria to decorate graves. It was kind of weird to be visiting her grave on Memorial Day. I'm so thankful that Ryann will have some memories of Grandma Billie and sad that Austyn wont. It makes me sad to think that this new baby will never get to know his Great Grandma but I think he is probably with her right now waiting for his turn here on earth. I wonder what she's telling him? I miss her so much!!
Right next to Grandma is Scotty and Ryann thought it would be fun to leave him a boy of Lucky Charms with her name on them. She still has some memories of Scotty and will think about him whenever she sees a train or eats Lucky Charms. I'm so grateful that my Grandma has Scotty with her in heaven.
Our last visit was to the graves of my Grandpa and Grandma Bennett, which I didn't get a picture of. My Grandpa passed away when I was 13 and Grandma Bennett in 2005. I have been thinking about Grandpa and Grandma Bennett a lot lately and am preparing to do some of their temple work for them. It makes me sad that it hasn't been done yet and I know they are up there waiting for someone to complete their work for them. It will be a very special experience for us.
