Remembering...

I can't believe it's been a whole year since Mara's passing. I was reading in my journal about that week that she had passed away and I still remember most of the events that took place. But, one that I thought I'd share was after she had died, I was on my way over to Ephrata to get the kids from my mom's place, and as I was driving there was a curve in the road and as i took that corner there was a clearing in the trees. The whole time I had been driving, the sun had been shielded by all the tress, but as I approaced this clearing the sun was shining so bright and great big in the sky was this big beautiful rainbow. I had not seen the rain that preceded this glorious sight, but it was an amazing sight. at that moment, all alone driving in the car in silence, I felt Mara. It was a feeling of warmth, sadness, happiness, mourning, and many others that I can't even describe.

I could sit here and tell you all about that night she died, and the vivid memories in my head, but instead I will say that from the heartache that has taken place, it is so comforting to know that Mara is in a better place. She is happy and with a loving Father in Heaven. Her parents and siblings are amazing, and I as I continue to watch them, I see how this event has strengthened them and many of those around them. We love you guys and are thinking of you always, especially today.

We love and miss you Mara!

Goodbyes

Before we left I got to see some of my old roommies from college. We met up at Applebees and we ended up talking there for 2 hours! I was in the dorms with all these girls and then later roomed with Andi and Brittany. We had such a good time catching up!

Andi, Heather, Natalie, Me, Merce (also my sis-in-law), Brittany

We also got to babysit my little niece, Ellen, before we left. Isn't she the cutest? So glad we got to do it at least once...we still have some major payback to do...hopefully some day we can repay. Move by us...do it do it do it!

My grandparents were awesome to come and take us to dinner. We will miss you guys!

The Crane siblings started a tradition to once a month (or whenever everyone can get together) to do a family ethnic food night. This night we went to Tepanyaki for our last hooraw! We are so glad we had the past months to spend together. We love and miss you guys tremedously!

Shasta

The next weekend we headed to Shasta Lake with Tyson's grandparents. Our bestest friends came down from Oregon to join us to. It was so much fun! I know this first picture is really dumb but the best part of the trip was riding on the tube with Scoobie. I don't think I've laughed that hard in my entire life. We miss you guys!

Jace and Jaxson

Lexi and Kenzie

Germ and Germp with the kiddos. They are the coolest grandparents for coming camping with us!

Rollins Lake

The day we got back from Island Park we all (us, Ted & Merce, Dev & Kaydee, and Burn & Kenzie) loaded up in the motorhome and headed to Cali to meet up with Tyson's parents. We met them at Rollins lake and had a great time!

Island Park

After spending the whole month of July in WA, Tyson flew out from there to take the bar, and I ended up driving all the way back to Utah with the kids by myself. The kids did amazingly well, and I amazingly did not fall asleep at the wheel. I didn't know I had it in me. The day after we got back, Tyson flew in and we headed up to Island Park to spend some time with our law school buds. Thanks so much to Casey for inviting us and letting us stay at his sweet cabin. We had a blast. The cabin was right on the water, so we got to take the boat out, we went ATVing, river rafting, and the kids had a ball dressing up and playing together.

Jace and Henry