Memorial D

I thought about bringing my camera, but didn't. I totally regret it! We had lunch with Grandma & Grandpa Welsh and a Ward BBQ. Both were a huge hit! 

Great Grandpa Welsh pulled out the riding lawn mower and let each boy have a turn driving around the front yard. The expressions on the boys faces were priceless! Of course, Rilie wanted a turn. Nick rode around with him a few times. He loved pulling on the stick. He couldn't move it out of gear, but he felt like he was controlling the whole thing. Great Grandma & Grandpa shared stories about learning how to drive on tractors and it was much better than letting kids start with real cars as teenagers. I'd have to agree! This all brought back memories of my granddaddy letting us ride on the back of his lawn mower. He tried to let us upgrade to driver, but that never last long :) My youngest brother Jason was the only one with the patience to prove he was responsible enough. Simple things really, like look where your going, don't turn the wheel with your eyeballs. Yet, it was too much for my older brothers and I. 

Next, Grandpa Welsh brought out the bow and arrows. It was a light compact bow, so the boys were actually able to shoot it! He taught them how to load it (I don't know archery terms), hold it, shoot it, and "leave your weapon behind as you gather your arrows". He was so patient with them! Even after the +5th time they'd forget not to point their arrows at us while loading and don't turn in circles, aiming your bow, while looking for the target. 

After practicing several times, and only loosing one to the tree, he brought out a styrafoam block for them to shoot at. After several rounds, they both were able to shoot all three arrows into the foam block. Rilie was beyond jealous, so Grandpa Welsh brought out a dart board with plastic tip darts for him. He loved it. 

Afterwards, we collected some beautiful blossoms from the snowball tree. We took these to John's grave. It is a beautiful intimate cemetery surrounded by rolling farms and framed by mountains in the distance. Alvin & Alex remembered their manners at the cemetery. I was very impressed. They helped snip the grass around John's marker and placed the blossoms in the cups. Rilie was a typical two year old and fascinated with the markers that had pinwheels, flags, and toy trucks. Fortunately, everyone seemed okay with my toddler running rampant as Nick and I tried to keep up. Rilie knows he is faster than me and thinks it's funny. 

Snowball Tree

Snowball Blossoms

It was a great afternoon, followed by naps in the car before the ward BBQ with Adam & Andrea. They had a wonderful program. Alvin was impressed by the color guard and whispered to me he was going to do that someday. They had a speaker that works with soldiers overseas. He had many great things to say about those who have served in the past and those who are serving now. The boys enjoyed the bounce house, until a band of girls took over and made it collapse twice. They decided those girls weren't safe and stayed out! 

Overall, we had wonderful company, wonderful weather, and a wonderful day. A special thanks to all those who gave their life, so we could continue to have our freedoms.