Let it Begin!

Hope everyone is having as much fun as we are with the decorations and festivities.
Happy Christmas-ing!

Once Bitten Twice Shy Baby

We had so much fun!

Love One Another

My grandma's funeral was on a perfectly sunny day! The program was wonderful, touching, funny, and there was some toe-tapping music. I imagined she and grandpa were sitting there, watching it together, and just smiling. Thanks for the picture, Carm.

At one point, the grandchildren stood to sing the hymn, "Love One Another". It was written by one of grandma's dear friends, Luacine Clark Fox. Hearing all the voices in unison, I was overwhelmed with the feeling that LOVE is what grandma stood for, and would want her posterity to remember and emulate.

I like this picture because my mom's brothers and sisters are all sitting behind her (except Aunt Heather might be hidden). Rebecca is smelling the flowers. And you get the feeling that this is a pleasant occasion, as grandma would have wanted it to be.

Here is my handsome husband.

Grandma and Grandpa McKinlay are buried right next to my Nana and Papa Aldrich, Uncle Van, and sister Rebecca. The cemetery is on a hillside, overlooking Provo Valley.

Emily (sis-in-law) took more photos from the day here.

The next part of the post is unrelated, but I uploaded all pictures together and so...that's how they will stay!
Rebecca & Friends: Here are some photos from this week.
Rebecca and Abbigail are cute little friends. They light-up when the other comes in the room. They play independently, side-by-side. Rebecca is learning to share toys. I think...

Here is Rebecca's cute cousin, Natalie. They're just outside the Body Worlds exhibit (too bad I couldn't take pictures in there, it was so stinkin' cool!). They are looking at Uncle Joel. He knows how to make them smile :)

We went to the library yesterday for music and movement with Natalie & Sophie, Rachael & Kennedy, Devon, and Taycee. Rebecca was such a pill that day! She even ripped a library book! But we forgive her because...she's very little, and...she's breaking 2 teeth! Poor one. That would hurt BAD. She was back to her sweet self today. . .so glad. I thought I was going to go crazy. Here is Rebecca with Sophie.

And here is Sweet Sophie's sweet smile.
We Like It!

Our Mini-Vacation

We spent last Saturday in Brigham City with Birgit and Jim (Omi and Grandpa). We had a great time! Here are some cute pictures Birgit sent me:

Jim told her to look at the moon in this picture. That's her "excited" face. I love it:

Merry-go-round at Smith's = a big happy smile!

Thanks for the fun memories!

Silly, Part VIII

Here is Rebecca showing off one of her best dance moves - running in a circle! (and please pardon my singing along...this is one of my FAVORITE SONGS...ahem...)

Sidenote: Isn't it funny how moms give up their pop entertainment? Natasha Beddingfield turns into Silly Songs. And Rachael Ray turns into Sid the Science Kid. Gotta love it!

China Doll

Asenath "Bugsy Lu Lu" Passey McKinlay

She was also known as Sann, mom, Grandma, Tutu, DeGams...She was born in 1911. She passed away yesterday. She lived a wonderful life!
Grandma made me and all of her 38 other grandchildren feel like they were her "favorite". She made everyone feel special. And always made sure that we knew she loved us. She showed it with everything she did, and said it with words every chance she got. Even until the very end of her life. I understand my Heavenly Father's love better because I have a grandma that has loved me with a perfect love. Thanks, DeGams for "loving me first".
In this picture, grandpa is holding my angel sister, Becky (Rebecca's name sake). No doubt it was a joyous reunion for Becky and Grandpa and Grandma. We miss those we love! And I am so looking forward to seeing them again. I also look forward to Grandma's funeral: a celebration of her life! And recounting memories of this precious person with my cousins, aunts, and uncles. See you soon, McKin! xoxoxo

P.S. I can never say enough good things and thank you's to Auntie Heather and Aunt Soogie who took such good care of Grandma, every day, these past several years. You two are angels.

Techno-Savy

Jorg and I were cracking up the night we took this picture. We love how serious she looks (acted) and her cute little feet sticking out!

The bump on her poor squishy cheek is from a bench that she pulled over. She always seems to have some wound on her face...the little monkey...
I was at my computer desk and I turned around to peek at my girl. I found she had lined up some of her favorite animals on the bench and had dragged in one of Jorg's homeless keyboards so that she could have her area to type too!
(Again, her cuteness gave me an excuse to make a page.)

We like it!

Happy Day

Jorg called from work today and our conversation went like this:

J: (in an inquiring voice) What day is it today?
E: It's Monday...um...the 3rd.
J: Oh. Is this a special day?
E: Yah, because it's November and they're playing Christmas music on the radio?
J: And..whatelse?
E: OH! It's November 3RD!

We first "met" 3 years ago today. Well, it was a virtual meeting. Jorg checked out my profile on ldslinkup.com. He saw I was online at the time and sent me an instant message. Opening line of, "How YOU doin'?" We "chatted" for 3 hours that night. We met in person two days later, on the 5th. It was my last first date, followed by my last first kiss (well, like 2 weeks later), followed by many more last firsts, and first lasts.

Tonight we will read through our first chat (printed in our binder of love letters), and go out for a late dinner.
Even though "You've Got Mail" has always been one of my favorite movies, I was shocked when I realized I was going to marry a boy I met on the internet. That's not a very romantic love story!
Or, is it... ;)

Halloweeeeen

These took me forever. It's 1:18 A.M. And I feel like I'm coming down with a cold. What am I thinking? I'm addicted to scrapbooking. Again. And she's just...so cUtE! Must. go. to bed. xoxoxo