Grandpa Chapman's Funeral

I feel so blessed to have been able to be at my Grandpa's Funeral. He had been sick this whole last year, but it was still pretty shocking to hear that he had passed on. My Grandparents had the closest marriage I have ever seen and are both such good people. He was the first of my Grandparents to pass away and after attending his funeral I can say that if the things that were said about him were said at my funeral I could die happy and know that I had done what I came to this earth to do. Every one commented on what a humble man my Grandpa was. There was nothing flashy about him or the life he lead but when you look back on his life it's a pretty amazing one. The other thing that was said over and over was how much my Grandpa loved the scriptures and put the Lord first in his life always.

Another tender mercy that came out of my Grandpa's passing was that I was able to spend a lot of quality time with my Grandma, Mom, Aunts and Uncles, cousins I haven't seen in years, and most expecially my siblings. Most of us didn't have our kids with us so it was a pretty surreal experience hanging out like old times (like REALLY old times...you can tell by the pictures below!) I left that weekend feeling inspired to be better, and rejuvenated after spending time with some of the people I treasure most in the world.

My Grandma is such a strong woman.

I was reminded of that this weekend as she carried on with everything that needed to be done, despite the heartbreak I know she felt.

Jilly and Baby Boston

Uncle Erik to the rescue. Entertaining little Grecia!

Jilly and Dane

Somehow I never got a good shot of Lisa....probably because she was the only one who still had to be a parent AND a host to all of us at her house! You were wonderful Lis!!!

Erik, Jen and I

My Mom and my Siblings

Erik and Uncle Butch (my Grandpa's Brother). Seeing Uncle Butch was very surreal because he looks so much like my Grandpa.

The whole Chapman Family

Mother's Day and a Mud Run

As I mentioned earlier my Grandpa passed away a few days before Mother's Day so we celebrated Mother's Day on Saturday before I left. Lance and the girls made me a wonderful breakfast and the girls made me some cute cards, and Mia had stayed up late one night making coupons for me. She was so helpful that morning.



BEFORE THE MUD RUN

Lance and I had signed up for a Mud Run earlier that month and when I found out I would be going to Utah for the funeral we didn't think we'd be able to squeeze it all in. But where there's a will there's a way and thanks to wonderful friends who watched the girls, Lance and I made it. I had about an hour from the time we got home from the Mud Run to shower, say goodbye and head off for the airport, but I was so glad we did it. It was a ton of work...way harder than just running a long distance (the mud run was 2 miles of running and 1 mile of Naval Base obstacle course, which included tons of huge mud hills with muddy water at the bottom, tunnels to crawl through, tires, a rope etc) and it was so fun to do it together (Lance slowed way down so he could stay with me!)



AFTER the MUD RUN.
This picture really doesn't do it justice because we had already rinsed off MOST the mud.

Mother's Day Tea

I remember doing this when I was in Kindergarten.

So precious!

They sang us a couple of songs and then Mia and I got to enjoy eating some treats together, and looking at the beautiful card she made me.

The Thursday before Mother's day I found out that my Grandpa had passed away and the funeral would be that weekend. We had a lot of rearranging to do so that I could fly to Utah on Saturday. Since I would be missing the primary kids singing in primary (something I look forward to all year!) my neighbor (who is also the primary pianist) gave me a little preview of what the kids would be singing.

Just because

Pool Day

Just for Fun

The easter bunny stuck sunglasses in their easter baskets and they felt very cool!

Easter Egg Hunts

With some Friends from Church

At the Henries for an Easter Egg and Yummy Easter Lunch!

Washing the Car

Beach Day

When have we ever gone to the beach in the Spring Time?!!! Someday this will seem normal to me. :)

Lance's 10K

Lance ran a 10k (6 miles) at the beginning of April. They didn't block off the road so we were able to drive along side him at a few differen't places and cheer him on.

Go Lance!!!!

Maddi's Birthday...4 Years Old

After watching all the Birthday Madness around our house for a couple weeks, Maddi was patiently awaiting her big day. And when it came she was excited! It was a preschool day so she was excited to celebrate with her friends and she was going to Birthday party of friend from church (this worked out really well for me since we weren't planning any friend parties) :) She wanted her hair curled for the occasion so we had to take a few pictures.

I think it was a great day for her. She came home from the Birthday Party with new princess accessories, a mug full of candy, and ready to have her family party at home and open her own presents!

Getting to open a present from Grandma Tresa first thing in the morning!

Maddi requested a Minnie Mouse cake. I told her I would make a cake that looked like Minnie Mouse's Dress and she was happy with that.

Our cute little Maddi is 4!

I can't imagine our life without Maddi. She has added a lot of cuddly hugs, intelligence, laughter, creativity, imagination, accessories, danger, spice and love to our family. We love her strong sense of self, the deep love for the things and people that she chooses to love (we all feel lucky that we are on the list!), the way she challenges our parenting techniques daily reminding us in her quiet but firm way that each child is their own little person with their unique gifts, talents, strengths and spirit, and the way she is constantly surprising us with the new things we learn about her as she grows older.

Lately one of Maddi's favorite new found talents is Swimming! One of her Birthday presents was a new life jacket for the pool, however after about 2 trips to the pool we realized that she no longer needed the life jacket and can completely swim on her own. She doesn't paddle her arms at all, but instead just dives right under the water, kicks her legs, and moves like a mermaid until she reaches a wall. Absolutely NO FEAR! I guess all of her near drowning experiences in the pool last year have paid off. :)

We love you Maddi!