Jurassic Park or Hogle Zoo?!

For Memorial Day this year we decided we would meet my parents and friends at Hogle Zoo rain or shine...we had no idea that on May 30 we would wake up to SNOW!!

So we layered up with clothing, winter coats, blankets, ponchos and umbrellas and headed for the zoo.  They are featuring super cool dinosaurs throughout the park for a limited time and we didn't want to miss it.  Once there it rained, it poured, it hailed...and then the sun came out:-)

 Can't imagine a world with six Janie's and six Gracey's but it makes a fun picture.

 Kids being Monkeys (as usual)

 The super cool, super scary T-REX.  These dinosaurs are throughout the park and they move, spray water and roar!  They are worth the trip to go and see!

 Gabe had a love/hate relationship when it came to T-Rex

Gabe refused to look at the camera.

 Cyndi and kids...most of them

 Our little photographer in training

William's Preschool Graduation

 William graduated preschool this past week.  They did a 20 minute program at the park where they sang songs and handed out certificates to each kid.  He has loved school.  Every day he would ask "Mom, do I have school today"  If the answer was "no" he would be so disappointed and ask when he gets to go again.  Of course when asked what he learned at the end of each day he would say "Nothing, we just played"  so I could see why he loved it!  We had one parent/teacher meeting during the year were I was told that my child was brilliant (of course) and was completely ready for kindergarten and that he would probably be bored next year because he "knows his stuff"  We are hoping for a teacher that will continually challenge him because he loves to learn.

 We love you William and love your energy and excitement about life and learning!

Speaking of Graduating...

 The twins graduated from cribs to toddler beds!

 They were super excited!  Too excited, it took them an hour and a half to go to sleep because they kept running from one bed to the next.  Once asleep Gabe fell out 3 times!  We are hoping they get used to them soon and that the excitement wears off just a little...

We found Chevette cuddled up to Gabe.  She is almost 10 years old and can't jump onto our bed on her own anymore.  I think she was thrilled with the low toddler beds just as much as the twins were. 

Celebrating Grandma LaRae

ROBERTSON, LaRae Collett March 6, 1928 - May 12, 2011 LaRae Collett Robertson, passed away peacefully at her home in Boise, Idaho, on Thursday, May 12, 2011. She was born in Salt Lake City, Utah to Karl and Leah Collett. LaRae married Dil (Clarence Lee) Robertson in 1951. Her greatest work was in her home as a loving wife and mother. Dil and LaRae have five children; Rondalee Loosle (Barry), Frank Robertson (deceased), Paul Robertson (Lynn), Karl Robertson (Jeanna), Fred Robertson (Sue), seventeen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. LaRae graduated from Brigham Young University with a BA degree in Speech and Drama. She worked as a radio announcer and writer for CFAC radio station, in Calgary, Alberta. She hosted her own radio talk show, Collett Calling. LaRae worked as an accountant, owned Columbia School of Broadcasting, training radio announcer, and owned Boardwalk Designs. A devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, LaRae was an early morning seminary teacher, Stake Young Women's President and served a Church Education Mission in Las Vegas, Nevada with Dil. LaRae was a beloved teacher, lecturer, and author, including teaching with BYU Education Week. The Funeral Service will be held on Monday, May 16, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the LDS Chapel on 5555 N. Locust Grove, Meridian, Idaho. A viewing before the Service will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the church. The Interment will be on Wednesday, May 18, 2011, at 3:30 p.m. at Mountain View Memorial Gardens, 1515 - 100 Street S.E. in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Please join the family at PIERSONS FUNERAL HOME, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., 4121 - 17 Avenue S.E., following the Interment.

On Thursday morning my Dad called to tell me that his mother had passed away peacefully in her  sleep by her husband side.   Heartbreaking.  She was an absolutely amazing woman, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.  

They have been living in Boise Idaho for the past several years at my Dad's brothers house.  So I spent the next three days on the phone changing schedules and running last minute errands to get everyone ready for our little road trip.  Thank you to all those who helped, picking up work shifts, taking the dog and lending much needed items for our trip.  We left Sunday morning for Boise had the Funderal Monday and traveled home Monday night.  The kids were amazing!  They were so good in the car for the 9 1/2 hours of traveling in just two days.  My mom travelled with us and helped keep the calm...along with a good DVD or two;-) 

Family drove or flew in from Utah, Texas, Arizona, California and Alberta Canada.  So wonderful to see everyone...so sorry for the occasion.

The Funeral was perfect.  It was wonderful to hear all the LaRae stories.  She truly was incredible.  Joshua was sad and touched by the music and stories told.  William wasn't sure what to think and was quiet and still.  Gracey kept telling everyone to "Be quiet, sssshhhhhh.  Grandma is sleeping"  and Gabe....just wanted to know where the food was...

 All of the granddaughters sang together one of Grandma's favorite Hymns "Be Still, My Soul"

 My Dad with his father and siblings

Ronda, Dil, Paul, Fred and Karl

 Jared entertaining the twins...by spinning them like tops

Most of the Robertson Gang

 We brought Gabriel for the free entertainment

 Brother Dillon with Uncle Barry

 Cousins Delaney, Collet and Laurel with 3 week old baby Jack

 Aubry and Grandpa Dil

 I don't think we were there for 3 min before Gabe found something that resembled a sword for him

 

Grandma has had a harder and harder time traveling any distance during the last few years and I panicked for a minute trying to remember if she had ever seen the twins in person.  I was relieved to find this picture and remembered that they came to visit right before our most recent trip to Alaska.  The twins were about 8 months.

My thoughts are with my Grandfather Dil who has been at LaRae's side for 60 years this September and has taken care of her every need as her health continued to become worse of the years.  He misses her so much.  

I am so grateful for a gospel that teaches us that we are together forever.    The Plan of Salvation is real and there is comfort in knowing His plan.  I look forward to the day that we will all be reunited again.