Unexpected Trip

My Grandmother passed away at the end of October.  She was 98 years old.  I wasn't planning on visiting my family until the spring maybe, but this pushed that trip up.  So Emma and I hopped on a plane and went.  I decided to take Emma out of school for a week and stay to visit with my family for more than just a couple days.  I could have gone alone for a couple days, but I couldn't deny Emma the chance to spend time with her cousins again.  She loves being with them and misses them terribly.

The viewing and funeral services for my Grandmother were very nice.  All of my cousins were able to come into town too (I say that like there are tons of them, but there are only 3 of them - but they live all over, from New York to Hawaii), so it was great seeing them.  What else can you say when someone dies who has always been a part of your life?  I will always cherish the happy memories I have of her, but I'm glad to know she's in a much happier, more comfortable place now.

The viewing and funeral were the very first couple of days we were there.  The rest of the time was spent with my family.  We stayed with my sister, which was fun because it let us spend some extra time with my cute niece Eliza.  She is just so much fun.  She's kind of like Emma's little sister, so Emma was loving it too.

Of course I took the opportunity to go down to Temple Square and enjoy the grounds with Emma (seriously took that for granted before we moved!)  and while downtown we wandered around the mall, which I hadn't seen since it was only completed a few months earlier.

We also went to the zoo, and my mom was able to come with us too, which was great!  We went to the zoo all the time, but they weren't finished with the polar bear exhibit before we moved, so we wanted to see it all completed.

Eliza (in orange) is enjoying the polar bear

It looked like she was playing peek-a-boo with the polar bear

Emma having a staring contest with the polar bear

I thought it was very nice of the bear to pose with Emma for this picture

And being October, we just had to go to Gardner Village.  My parents, sister, and brother with his family were all able to come.  I was so happy it worked out!  I love this place in October, and have posted many pictures from previous trips on here, and I don't really want to bore anyone with more ... but here I go!

It doesn't matter how many times I've seen them, I always love seeing the witches all over here.

Possibly Emma's very favorite witch.  

Trying to look scared next to the witch

Timothy's turn to look scared

We happened to be there on Halloween (Yeah!) so we tagged along to a couple Halloween parties my sister was going to and one my brother was going to, and then we went trick-or-treating all together.  It was a great evening.  I loved all the costumes.  Emma decided not to go overly girly this year.  She wanted to go as Dracula.  And she was very specific that she wasn't a regular vampire, but the head-man himself!  She looked great too!  We sprayed her hair black (which was a pain to wash out), and it made the costume!

This was Emma's costume when she was 2.  It was great seeing Eliza in it.  She made a wonderfully cute pirate!

Since we were staying with my sister, during the downtime in between other events, Emma was able to play with Eliza.  Eliza would just follow Emma around and try to do everything she did, even some of Emma's taekwondo moves.  And anytime we were inside, Eliza would bring me a book to read to her.  I read some of the same books to Emma when she was little, so it was a double pleasure for me - spending time with my niece and creating memories with her, and also reminiscing of fun times with Emma.

Cousins!

Eliza was making Emma hold both her hands, resulting in Emma needing to walk backwards

Emma showing some taekwondo kicks to Eliza

Eliza trying to do the kicks

Eliza would follow Emma around and do everything she did.  It was so cute!

You never like taking a trip for the reason I took this one, but my time there was wonderful.  I love spending time with my family.  And while I was there I was able to go visit my step-Grandma who had just had her hip replaced, and spend a little time with her.  And I'm so glad I did, because about a week after I got home, she passed away as well.  It didn't work out to go back, but I'd rather have had the time I had with her while she was still alive then be able to attend her funeral.  So this fall I lost two Grandmothers.  Heaven is just that much happier a place now.