Dear Grams

Yesterday morning we fed and even bathed our kids, dressed them up in their sweetest Sunday attire (Jacob had to be bribed - Sunday clothes are not for Monday), and headed up to Santa Fe. We had waffles for breakfast with the special syrup and strawberries. The kids knew then that it was a special day. We stopped quickly at Walmart to buy an all-in-one balloons + helium tank and granola bars for the ravished children (apparently the special syrup doesn't last long...).

When we were almost to Santa Fe we found ourselves right behind a hearse from French's mortuary. Not just any hearse, your sweet ride. You would be happy to know that the driver was a Gentleman and drove ten miles under the speed limit the whole way there. We know because we decided to follow him. We were pretty sure it was you, but thought that worst-case scenario we'd just wind up at another cemetery.
There, you had your own little procession.
We got to the National Cemetery a little early and so we blew up balloons while we waited. Rus took over the helium tank, and within no time he had blown up and popped five balloons. To save the rest of the bag Rus reduced the size from 12" to 8". It seemed to work...my eardrums kept ringing, though. We blew up 25 balloons.
Bekah and Jacob said it looked like a party in our car.
I just giggled...
More people arrived and we formed a circle outside on the sidewalk to keep the wind out from under our skirts. The men's jackets were taken off and given to the foolishly cold, like myself and Libby. When everyone was there we all hopped back in our cars (our party car!) and drove up to the pavilion.
Your strong grandsons and sons carried you to center of the pavilion, a few of the women sat, and Roger proceeded to bless and dedicate the grave. It was emotional to say goodbye again after just having the funeral on Saturday, but it was okay.
Now I know you aren't Mormon, and neither are Don and Jeanne, but Roger just couldn't help but dedicate your grave with the power of the Priesthood. It put a smile on his face to just slip that in the prayer.

After the prayer Roger removed some of the irises (your favorite, and purple, even!), and gave them to each of the girls to press and have for a keepsake. I gave mine to Beau, he destroyed it behind my back, and then Roger gave me a new one.

(DeAnn and Carla)Then came my favorite part. Rus and the kids retrieved the balloons from the van and everybody took one (even the adults) and wrote notes on their balloons. Louise kissed hers...Oh you probably know already, but just let me tell it anyways...

Then all at once we let them go with kisses and notes of I love you. We watched them until they disappeared into the clear blue sky.We hope you saw them.

I know you did.
Love you.P.S. We had lunch later at McD's. Grandma, Grandpa, and four of their kids with nine grandchildren. We made an impression, let me tell you...especially for the three elderly, dressed up couples next to us having a respectable Monday afternoon luncheon. With the husbands and wives getting the food at different times, I swear they thought there were three sets of twins in the mix! Ha! You would have loved it!