More Lagoon...

I never get tired of posting Lagoon Pictures...on this night Cole's parents joined us, and we had a blast!!!

From June 2011

It was HOT, so the kids started out playing in the fountain!

Talia convinced Grandma to take her on Odysea...

From June 2011

From June 2011

Then, the kids convinced Grandma to join everyone on Bom Bora...

From June 2011

Grandma is afraid of heights.  It just goes to show, having your grandkids there will give you courage...even if you keep your eyes closed the whole time!!!!

From June 2011

This shot has all of us...Alec and me in front, Kyle and Grandma next, and Grandpa and Talia behind...

Then, everyone but me went on Rattlesnake Rapids...

Me, waiting to take their picture...

From June 2011

The approach...

From June 2011

From June 2011

Bracing for drenching...

From June 2011

Grandpa took the brunt of it!

From June 2011

The procession through the park...

From June 2011

From June 2011

The kids love their grandparents so much...and I'm so glad!

Grandpa took the kids on the Log Flume...

From June 2011

We went on the Jumping Dragon...
Me and Kyle...

From June 2011

Talia and Grandma...

From June 2011

Me and my best girl...

From June 2011

The boys and I rode the Samauri...

From June 2011

It was a fun night, it wasn't busy, so we walked on most the rides.  When we went to leave, Cole asked me if I still had the keys...he had given them to me when they rode Rattlesnake Rapids.  I told him no, I gave them back after they got off.  We searched our pockets...no keys.  Somewhere in the transfer, we dropped them.  Luckily, some honest person turned them in...and we ended our night on a positive note after a little bit of panic.  Thank you, whoever turned in our keys!!!

To: Grandpa.....Love, Talia

From April 2011

Talia loves to cuddle with Grandpa in his chair!!!

Oh, and I posted a couple more scrapbook pages in my scrapbook tab above...

Crisis

So, as I walked into the hospital where I work today, I was swamped with an overwhelming wave of sadness. It's been a rough summer on my extended family...

My Grandfather has had a debilitating illness for a number of years now. We've actually been really lucky. Despite his illness, he's been able to triumph over most of his issues. This summer, however, his health has declined rapidly. My Grandmother has been expending massive amounts of energy to care for him, and it's taking it's toll. She's to the point where she can't do it anymore. My mom and her siblings were forced to tell my grandfather that changes were going to have to be made. That he can't safely drive anymore. That because of circumstances, he will need to move into an assisted living facility.

This has been traumatic for everyone, but today as I came to work....
Part of the reason I work here is because my Grandfather wanted me to. In his youth and middle age, he's been on the hospital's board of trustees, been very involved. I have never had to deal with this before...all of the other grandparents I've lost have gone quickly and relatively painlessly. To see my brillant, wonderful grandfather, trapped in a body that will no longer let him do the things he wants, is so very painful.

My Grandfather is everything a man should be. Wonderful husband and father. Provider. Generous. Loving. Always, always honored his priesthood. Taught me what that meant. Served without reservation or complaint. Encouraged me to get my education. Helped me along the way, both intellectually and financially. Witnessed the birth of 2 of my 3 children. Has supported me in every aspect of my life. I love and respect him so much. I feel both blessed and cursed...blessed to have had the time and memories that I have had, and cursed to watch the physical and mental pain that he's now in.