Endings and Beginnings

We've had quite a couple of weeks since our last blog post.  

We found out right before Christmas that our Grandpa G died - and we were very sad.  So after we wrapped up Christmas, we hopped on an airplane and flew to California.  

There's always some good reading time when you're waiting for airplanes.  

After Grandpa's funeral we had a nice luncheon and then Sam and I helped clean things up.

We also got some great playtime with our cousins - Emma and Kody.  It's always fun to see them!

We got some work done around Grandpa and Grandma's house.  And we also had some time to play there too.

We went out for our traditional fresh seafood dinner too.  We had a seafood toast to celebrate Grandpa and Grandma. 

Here I am with my favorite shark figure at the market/restaurant.  I've taken a picture with this little guy every time we've eaten here.

And here's Sam with the other shark.

Aunt Jen Jen and Uncle Michael were kind enough to share some of their delicious seafood as well as what we got.

My favorite is crab legs!!  Yum!

Sam eats it all!  Here he is eating some sashimi - tuna and salmon.  

I know you can't see it, but the Pacific Ocean is right behind us.  

Grandpa G. saved all of his pocket change for a very long time.  We decided to sort through some of the change and look at dates and minting locations.  What a great way to keep some boys busy and out of trouble!

More quality reading time while we wait for our airplane home.

We got home just in time for New Year's Eve.  While we dined on Chinese take-out, we also made our traditional family toasts for a great new year.

After Aunt Jen Jen, Uncle Michael, Uncle Carl, and Aunt Francine came to Utah, we all headed up to Wyoming for Grandpa's burial.  We had a really nice evening with our cousins at Aunt Mary Bell's home.  The cows were there to greet us!

We served some donuts, muffins, and juice before the burial.  I was in charge of the food.  That's like the coyote guarding the chicken coop - mmmm, mmmm, good!

Here we all are at the burial.  

There was plenty of snow to play in.  Here's Sam climbing the berm of snow left from all the plowing. 

And of course, there had to be snow angels.  This is me!

And here's Sam.

One last picture from the burial.  We'll miss them both!

Sam Alert:  Hey everyone - Sam here.  

We took a quick drive up to the Star Valley Elk Refuge.  There were quite a few elk.  Here are some of the biggest bulls.

And we saw both a bald eagle and a golden eagle on the drive home.  They are absolutely beautiful animals.  We only got a picture of the baldy.  

Ok - Sam out - Have a great week!