On New Year's Eve, after packing up we said goodbye to my family (I love how they come out to the driveway for one last round of hugs and see us off, waving til we drive out of sight.). We stopped by Grauntie's then headed up to Holladay to spend the day at Aunt Rachie's. We had a delicious lunch (potato soup, rolls, fresh fruit and dip), then you kiddos did an indoor snowball fight (with fabric snowballs), played with Rue and watched a doggie show.
Afterwards we headed up to Farmington, Dad ran in to Harmon's to buy 2 bouquets of flowers (one for Grandma Vicki and one for Great Grandma Stevenson), and we drove over to the Farmington City Cemetery to visit Grandma Vicki's grave. The sun was setting as we pulled up, it was a cold wintry but beautiful day and the yellow flowers seemed so fitting. Our last stop for the night was to Great Grandpa & Grandma Stevenson's home. I love pulling up to their house in the winter, being warmly greeted at the door with a home cooked meal waiting for us. And I love seeing them work together to get things set and in place, what a couple :0) After having Marie Callender's lemon meringue pie for dessert, we got the kids to bed in the pink room and the four of us stayed up talking, sharing stories, showing pictures of our new place and sipping on Grandma's delicious eggless nog. We brought in the new year kneeling around the couch in the front room, praying for the night. No fireworks, music or shouting, but a lovely way to finish one year and start another, in the company of these two wise and wonderful individuals. During one of our conversations I asked how they had managed to live away from family for so many years. They advised that we make sure to love what is...what we are blessed with here in Normal. I'll have to remember that.
New Year's morning we had a scrumptious breakfast, made by Grandma (orange rolls---Alex could have eaten the whole bundt roll!, breakfast casserole, orange juice and peaches. The peaches were from a peach tree that they had planted in honor of Grandma Vicki. Once again, the bright yellow and sweetness seemed fitting :0)). Then we got ready and were off to spend a few minutes at Aunt Rachie's before Bompa & Mémé caravan-ed with us to the airport.
The flight to St. Louis went really well and then we spent the night at the Hintze's. The next day we drove back to Normal (after getting our squeaky brakes fixed!!). We pulled in around 4pm and my nesting instincts kicked in big time! Other than making and eating dinner I worked from 4-11pm unpacking, organizing and cleaning. I nestled in to bed that night exhausted and grateful to be home.
