Our Trip to Canada- eh!

So I've been thinking about this particular blog this past week, trying to pull together all my emotions, and write about our experience this last weekend. People have asked us, "How was your trip?" to which I reply, "fine". It's kinda of bittersweet. I loved seeing my family. I did not like the reason why we made the trip in the first place.

We left bright & early Thursday morning to the coldness of Canada. It was cold here in Utah, but man, it was freezing in Cardston. It was all winds; I'd forgotten how cold winds and low temps can make you freezing. Michelle flew in Wed night and drove up with my family and Austin. Jordan was so excited to have Michelle home. He practically spent the entire time with her. He about broke my heart when he started crying when I had to take her back to the airport.
I had the special opportunity, along with Michelle, my Mom, Leann & Erilynne, to go to the funeral home and dress Grandma. I was kinda of scared at first, I remembered how I had reacted to seeing Grandpa, so I wasn't for it, but went to support my Mom. I have to say that it was so weird seeing my Grandma, knowing that it was just her physical body that I was seeing, and that her spirit was up in heaven. In the end, it was a very good experience.
My Grandma's funeral was lovely. And although it didn't snow, the winds were horrible. As we drove up to the cemetery, you could see how they dug out the snow to find the grave site. Amazing that they were able to find it, and not harm any of the other sites. Michelle and Leann were the first lady pallbearers in Glenwood.

Jordan snuggled up with Grandma, because like I said, it was freezing outside.

James sheltering Jaxson from the cold.

This is a picture of me and my siblings, my Mom, and my Great Aunts:

Austin, Michelle, JeNae, Aunt Dorothy, Aunt Joyce, Mom, Tyler

My Uncle Kyle, My Mom, and Uncle Duane

Jordon looking smashing in his suit.

Me & my Sister.

The Rasmussens and Nelsons

Kevin, Leann, Vance, Erilynne, JeNae, Michelle, Tyler, Austin

My Mom & Dad

My Mom looked so good that day. With everything that has happened, I'm so glad that she is strong. While we were up in Canada, we got the news that my Great Aunt Betty had passed away. My Mom was close to her, developing a relationship with her and Uncle Lamar since moving her over 10 yrs ago. It broke my heart having to see my Mom go through such emotional distress, but I'm glad that I was there for her, and will be there for her.

On our first trip to Canada (it was while we were living in California-so a long time ago), our Dad had taken a picture of us siblings sitting in front of the Cardston Temple. Tyler decided that we should brave the cold and recreate that picture, which turned out to be an outstanding picture.

I'll take as many pictures as I can get of Austin with my kids. All I can say is that I love my brother, and that I'll miss him when he leaves April 6th.

In tribute to Grandma, some of us donned her wigs and mu-mu's and put on a fashion show. It was hilarious. Once Michelle sends me a video of it, I'll post that as well.

I'm so grateful for my cousins that took us in and took care of us while we were in Canada. We stayed with Cam and Lonny, and it was so neat to finally meet my cousins whose house I had stayed at two times before. I joked with them that I had slept in every bedroom except for one, and maybe the next time we came up, I would sleep there. Before we left, I had thought that this would be our trip to Canada. With Grandma & Grandpa gone, there was no reason for us to go back up there. But then Uncle Duane pointed out that Glenwood was a part of us, it is apart of our heritage, and with welcoming cousins, how could we refuse not coming back. So maybe one day, when we've got our passports, we'll be able to go on vacation and spend time with family.