Sequoias.

On Memorial Day we had an impromptu trip to the Sequoias. It was a beautiful trip, and a nice break from the heat!

 While we were signing up for the annual pass, we saw an emergency rescue. Pretty cool (hopefully they are OK).

 She HAD to bring her own stroller.

 When you go see the General Sherman you are just blown away by the sheer size of it. It is impressive.

 The park was beautiful. 

That made national park #6 for our family. It was a great way to escape from Visalia, especially since it was just after Grandpa Myres passed away.

Grandpa Myres.

I can't even believe that I'm writing this post, so soon after Grandpa Murphy passed away (only 7 months ago).

Grandpa Myres passed away early this morning. He had been fighting multiple myeloma for a few months, and they had just decided to take him off of chemo and start him on hospice a few weeks ago. I'm grateful that he went before he had the really painful end of cancer life experience.

To know Grandpa was to know his sayings. "Kill Your Television". "Soda is just water and chemicals". "Do the Difficult". "Nulla Vestigia Retrorsum" (the only Icelandic saying I know). "Iceland is king" (Ok, he never said that directly but he loved Iceland). "How is the kingdom being built in ____?" And also "How are the police in ____?" "BYU Idaho is really something. You know, they took the dean of the business school of Harvard. That school is amazing." "Nothing better than a good watermelon, Nothing worse than a bad watermelon." And I can go on and on. 

He thought his family was the best. I am so grateful that he got to seal us, and impart some marriage wisdom on us. The only thing I remember is him telling us "Every day, I ask my wife 'What can I do to make your life better today?' ". I am not NEARLY that celestial in my behavior, but his is the epitome of a loving marriage.

Grandpa overcame some amazing challenges. The fact that he lived as long as he did is an anomaly. Just in the last 10 years that I can remember, Grandpa had prostate cancer, broke his neck in two places, broke his arm, and was diagnosed with this last round of cancer. And I know my mom told the story of how he had to walk with 2 canes in his 30's. He wasn't supposed to live this long, which I am grateful for. He got see so much of his posterity. I'm so grateful that we got to fly out to see him in April, and that he got to hang out with Cora. If I had known we had such little time with him, I would have been less worried about keeping Cora's germs away from him. But he really laughed at Cora and got a kick out of her antics. She of course lived it up.

I'm so glad that I made him take a picture sitting behind Cora. He was about to go to bed but I was worried that it could be the last time we saw him so I asked him to take a picture. Cora was making a face and Grandpa wouldn't even look at me because he was just laughing at her.

We love you, Grandpa. I'm so sad that 2 of the big pillars in my life are gone. My 2 grandpas have always been a big part of my life, and I can't believe that it will be so long until I see them again. I'm so sad that they both went while my parents are doing the right thing and being in Ecuador. How does that seem fair? He is a giant of a man, and I hope we can live up to his example.

Ash and Luis' wedding!

2 weeks ago we got to drive to Oakley for Ashlee and Luis' wedding. This was another example of how much we love living a few hours away- we can make it to special occasions without Brandon needing to take time off work.

It was a beautiful wedding. We took Cora to the temple with Taylor and Emily, and they watched her outside. We hadn't seen a lot of people from the Giullian side of the family since we moved to FLORIDA. Almost 3 years. So it was a nice reunion. I've never seen a couple so happy to come into the sealing room as they were.

Here are some highlights from the temple. I'm glad my friend has a clothing store that sells dresses that will fit me at 8 months pregnant. Not much does right now!

 See? Everyone else slimmed down for the wedding except me haha.

 Cora wanted to take a lot of pictures with Grandma. Luckily she didn't mind.

Baby Iris!

 This was the only nap Cora got of the day.

They had a ring ceremony, since Luis is a convert and none of his family was there for the sealing. Brandon performed the ceremony in English and Spanish, and it went great! Ashlee and Luis wrote their own vows, which were so sweet. I wish we got to do that in our wedding.

 They had a photobooth, which was one of the highlights of the night with Cora. 

 Grandpa Giullian, ever the musician, loved the mariachi band that was walking around serenading the tables. 

 

 Cora wanted to hold baby Iris, it didn't last long but I'm hoping it is a good sign!

 Cora and I left early, since she was exhausted. So I missed all the dancing. I heard it was one heck of a party though!

The next morning was Mother's Day, Brandon and Megan were sweet and made a big breakfast for all the moms in the house. Cora got to try Nutella for the first time and it was a HIT.

 I normally like getting a post church picture on special occasions, but I really wasn't feeling well (swelling feet and contractions meant we left early) and we had a lot more cute pictures from the day before so I didn't mind.

Dinner was burgers, and Cora was happy to sit on the bench between Grandma and aunt Cindy.

  We made sure to get a picture with the great grandparents while we were there! 

It was a quick weekend, less than 48 hours, but such a happy fun time with family. We're glad that we got to come join, and I'm especially glad that they didn't decide to get married mid June so that I could still take care of Cora so that Brandon could do that he wanted to with his family.

Bethany's mission farewell.

I love that we got to drive down for a super quick trip to go to Bethany's farewell. 

The 99 freeway is something else... but better than the LA traffic that we hit.

 When we picked Bethany up, we drove by good old 57 Lindberg.

 Cora was so happy to see Bubba!

Once we met up with Dallin and Krystel, we went to the beach. We hadn't been in over 4 months! Cora wasn't so sure at first (the water was way colder), but she warmed up right away.

Her "nope" phase.

"Ih told"

Souplantation for dinner. Note Cora's cup falling haha.

Bethany gave such a great talk. We laughed  that they said it was her homecoming talk... I guess we've been out of the ward for a little while. It was bittersweet to be back at the ward without my mom or dad there. But I bet the next time we're there we'll be there with them.

It was fun to see Torrie there! I don't think I've seen her since I got married. So I haven't met either of her boys.

Sara wins the prize for nicest relative! We're glad she made the drive up, especially since there wasn't anywhere for her to go after church.

Cora was so nice to Bethany. Not.
We were so sad to leave after just staying one night, but Brandon still couldn't take time off work. So we left late at night to get back so he could finish his notes. Then we hit a bad accident and were stuck for an extra TWO HOURS on the road. I don't think Brandon got to bed until 2:30.
Either way, we are so proud of Bethany and her choice to go on a mission! She will be awesome!