Hanna Horton passed away this afternoon.  My sweet mother in law. 
The lady who:

• Sent wonderful care packages to Craig when he was gone for the summer working at the National Parks.  They were full of delicious oatmeal cookies and brown sugar muffins.

• Made a banner announcing the engagement of her son to me and placed it in her office at the administration office at BYU.  

• Treated me as if I were her own daughter. 

• Loved my children.

• Took vacation time to babysit our children when we came to town for meetings.

• Loved to tell stories of her childhood and family life.

• Was a wonderful cook.

• Made delicious apple pie, goulash, and pistachio pudding salad (calling it a salad was a trick only a Grandma could get away with...it was more like a dessert).

• Always had a full dish of peanut M&M's in a crystal dish ready for visitors.

• Taught my husband tenderness and kindness.

• Was a world class drawer and cupboard organizer! 

• Was willing to share anything she had especially to someone in need.

• Put others needs ahead of her own.

• Who for the last 2 years didn't know where she was, who she was or that she was being lovingly taken care of by her daughter, but was still kind and sweet.

Mom, I love you.  We love you.  You have been missed these last 2 years. But, now that you are really gone from us we miss you more. 

Some Grandma Moments

Some wonderful Grandma Moments from the last 2 months

While Visiting Utah

 

Making a Sunday Book with Makayla

 Micah's soccer game

Visiting the Aquarium with 

California Grands

Easter Egg Hunt in our yard

Birdhouse Painting

These cuties recited a poem announcing the 2 rose bushes I would receive for Mothers' Day

 Disneyland!

Then off to see the Arizona Grands

This big guy (above) just got his driver's permit!

Legder (left) is better on the iPad than Grandpa!

Slater (right) is great with his little brother

This photo captures the moment I first plunked down in our stateroom knowing that 2 weeks of luxury and relaxation are ahead of us.

Although it has been nearly 2 months since we were on a cruise to Hawaii the memory is present every single day.  Two weeks with Craig away from the hustle bustle of life, the phone, the laundry, his work, our callings, chores and responsibilities. So many of these things separate us.  Although Craig is mostly home everyday still we spend much of the time apart.  On a cruise the only decisions are: Should we get up now? When do you want to eat? What do you want to eat?  Should we go to the pool, read a book, sit on the balcony and look at the sea? Is there a class we want to attend?  Which show should we go to?  They are all such simple questions.  AHHHHhhh.

Some favorite things we did off the ship were:

Observing the wonders of nature

Renting a Mustang convertible and driving around

Visiting the Arizona Memorial.  This is the list of names of those who died aboard.

These men are survivors of the USS Arizona. 

Seeing the temple

Upon entering the Visitor Center ones' breath is taken away by the huge the Christus with the Hawaiian blue background

Snorkeling in Maui

Yes, that is Craig about to touch a huge turtle.

Have you ever smelled a Lighthouse?  Craig has.

These are some of my favorite images

Here we are with our traveling companions

The McPhie's

 Louise

 Frances

Linda

Pat

Zoe

Lura and John

Wayne and Joy

Frank and Vickie

Ahh...sweet memories