**EDIT** Hi ya'll - guess what, I haven't died. I also had some partial posts. So now Andrew is almost 3....I'm mostly just gonna slap some pictures on here and forget about writing more. We are sooo behind ;)

You know, Walmart has some decent party supplies. I got a cute rainbow garland there for Henlie's second birthday, and then we found some awesome decor to go with Andrew's vintage space themed party. It makes me happy. But first, the invitation!

Okay, so Andrew's party theme was inspired by Owl City's song Alligator Sky. The video is whimsical with very vintage space influences. When I was pregnant with Henlie, I wanted this to be the theme if I had a boy. Well, she wasn't, but my hopes didn't change when Andrew came around :) 

I used a new-to-me photographer for Andrew's 1 year photos, and I'm in LOVE! Jennifer of J.Lyn Fotos is freaking amazing, reasonably priced, laid-back, and the FASTEST turnaround time in the history of ever. (Heads-up, her business Facebook doesn't have anything from this year posted. She basically just puts teasers up on her personal page. Both are linked.) She does all sorts of photos, but I'd seen thousands of cake smashes of hers and opted to message her. She's a freaking cake smash pro, guys! Seriously, I can't sing her praises highly enough. Anyway, here are some shots from Andrew's session.

The viewing for Grandpa Hadfield was Sunday, February 21st at their church building. We met early to help set things up and for the grandkids to rehearse the song medley we were going to sing for the funeral. Brian and Melody graciously opened their home if anyone needed a break or needed somewhere else to take their kids for both the viewing and funeral. The also provided dinner for the family on Sunday. Those Hadfields sure make for an awesome family :D

Grandpa's kids sure did an amazing job with the display. It was definitely apparent Grandpa's many skills, talents, and passions. He lived a full life.


The funeral was Monday, February 22nd. We started with another viewing. We just hung out while the siblings greeted people. Then we moved to the chapel for the service. It was rather eventful. Grandma wasn't doing so well. We actually called 911 and they took Grandma to make sure she was okay. Mostly the stress of everything and then not eating well took its toll on her body. She was okay, though.



After the funeral, we headed to the cemetery to lay Grandpa to rest. It is also the cemetery where Matt's stillborn brother, Joshua, is buried, so we visited his grave as well.


After a lot of family and such a tender time, we wanted to still keep our family close. What turned into a couple siblings over for pie turned into the whole family joining us for dinner, pie, and FHE Monday night as well. It was good to hang out with them all a little more, even though it wasn't anything "special" per se. Hanging out with family is what makes anything special. 

We had tickets to go to the Provo City Center Temple open house on February 20th. We were going with Jason and Camile. We were supposed to go through the 3:15pm tour, but that did not happen. Holy people, Batman! It was like 4:15pm or so I think by the time we went through. Fortunately, my kids were pretty well-behaved. At least during all that waiting, we got to watch a fun little movie on Aunt Camile's phone....that told us we're getting another cousin! Woot!

It was fun to tell Henlie about our experiences with the old Tabernacle. I also loved the elements they were able to save and reincorporate into the new temple. Going just three days after we lost Grandpa was especially poignant as we could talk to Henlie about sealings, being a forever family, and the Plan of Salvation on a very applicable level.



Fun story in relation to this awesome teaching moment. As we were leaving the temple grounds, we were talking about how one day, Grandpa will be resurrected and will live again and the same will happen to us after we have died. It's been a little too long for me to remember the entire exchange, but Henlie said, "That's weird." haha I just told her, "Welcome to being a Mormon. We're a little weird." :) It is true, though. Compared to the rest of the world, we're a little weird. But that's okay :)


I'm so grateful for the temple and the opportunities we have to be together as families for eternity. I am grateful for a loving Savior who provided the atonement for us so we can have a means of returning to our Heavenly Father and our families again. I am so grateful for my family and the strength, support, and love they give. We truly are blessed to have so many temples around us here in Utah. Thankfully, the rest of the world continues to get more and more temples closer to them as well.  The Gospel is true and we have a Father in Heaven who loves us very, very much. Our big brother, Jesus, truly did come to earth to provide the ultimate example and offer Himself as sacrifice to atone for our sorrows, pains, afflictions, and sins. I don't partake of His gift like I should, but I know as we try to do better each day and repent when we fall, He will have grace sufficient for us all.