Memorial Day 2011 . . .

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty. -John F. Kennedy

Windy, Wet, Muddy, and Cold!

I really don't remember a Memorial Day with such extreme weather.

There was beauty in the day though. The green everywhere is breathtaking.

Air outside is crisp, sort of Autumn-like.

Believe me, I am not taking this cool weather for granted, I know in a few short weeks I'll be moaning & groaning about how hot & miserable I am.

Tradition must be carried on and it mainly falls on the shoulders of my sister, Chelle and I. Flowers placed on the graves of my paternal grandparents, paternal great-grandparents, favorite paternal great-aunt & uncle and maternal grandfather. I love being at each of their graves and able to reminisce about each of them. I love sharing stories with my kids. Today  there wasn't much grave-side reminiscing. It was just too windy, wet, muddy & cold.

Jesse posing alone at the grave of his Great-Grandpa & Grandma Cranney

Because it was so chilly, it was nearly impossible to have any of my kids pose for pictures. But you betcha, Chelle and I were just too willing to fill-in for them.

Chelle & I in an awkward crouch. Dave is the amateur behind the lens . . . we are crouching to be closer to the headstone, he was clueless. Silly, silly picture. Oh, notice uncooperative, sneaky miss Lillie in the background.

Proof all the kids were there . . . for a moment it seemed as though they wanted a pic with us.

Jesse stuck around for yet another picture, this time with the headstone, thanks Dave! And little Lillie retreating to the background. She was so adorable . . . when she wanted to be!


At our maternal grandfather's grave.
I want to be very critical about how I look, but I know my here and now doesn't necessarily have to be my tomorrow.

Picture proof for my Las Vegas livin' parents . . . fresh snow in the foothills & mountains.

At the top of Sardine Canyon, on the way home to Salt Lake City.