February 2020 - Grandpa Clift's funeral

Thank Heaven for library time.  The kids all enjoy it so much and it is a great chance for Melissa to see friends. 

February 8th we went for a family hike at the Nations of the Four Corners Dwellings park/trails.  It was a beautiful day, just look at that great San Juan sky. 

Short rest in one of the Hogans

Lilian taking advantage of the twins being a Miss Lana's preschool for the morning.  No better time to demonstrate her sorting and fine motor skills than when she's home alone with Mom. 

Also a good time for demo-ing her latest trick riding skills. 

Melissa channeling her former "single girl on Valentine's Day" vibe to help teach the twins about upper and lower case letters. 

Hannah's left front upper tooth died... one too many trip and fall incidents.  She came to have a mini root canal (pulpotomy) at Blanding Family dental.  I knew she'd be nervous so during my lunch break I hit the dollar store.  It was fun to surprise her with these Elsa glasses and a new little princess after she finished.  She was so brave, but after her shot, she cried through the whole surgery.  The dentist had hoped that the tv would distract her, but it kept pausing.  Melissa had to hold Hannah's head down while Hannah screamed and cried.  Afterwards, she acted fine.

Valentine's day was an odd one.  I woke up early and made an apple cinnamon coffee cake in a heart shaped bundt pan.  We exchanged gifts with all the stinkers getting a new stuffed animal, and a silly smile apparently. Then everybody packed up.  Grandpa Clift passed away this month and we decided Melissa would fly up for his funeral alone, rather than try to get the whole family up. So the kids and I went to Nana's and Melissa went to Moab. 

Melissa walking to the plane on the runway, Moab is a tiny airport. 

And enjoying immediate smiles in Oregon. 

All of my siblings were able to make it, the only group of cousins who were all there.  We had a viewing, which was kind of small. 

Then we had Grandpa's burial in the rain. He had a quick military service.  Afterwards, we went back to the church for his funeral.  All of my aunts and uncles and my mom spoke. All of the women in the family sang together, including me.  Grandpa will surely be missed.  He was an amazing man, a great example of service and just full of so much love.  I will forever hold him in my heart until we meet again.

Andrew, Brian and Mark looking nice in their suits.

I had a nice visit with Grandma.  She was sad, but also still her same teasing self.  I know she will be lonely without Grandpa, but hoping she will make friends at her retirement home. 

Me with Trisha and Shanda at the luncheon after the funeral.

Grandma with all of her kids.

All of the grandkids who were able to make it.

The next day we had a dinner at Trisha and Jeremy's church with just our family.  Here I am with Trisha and Christy.  We also played some basketball game in a line where we had to get out the person in front of us.  It was pretty fun and crazy. 

Mom and Bill with all of her kids.

Dad and Darlene even made it to the funeral.

I got to hang out with Eli and Harper that night before my super early flight in the morning.

The kids really enjoyed visiting Nana and Grandad.  I'm not sure they even noticed Mom wasn't around.  Lilian and Finley (the momma lovers) barely called for her at all. 

Grandma Workman bought valentine cookie decorating kits for the twins, so we brought them to Nana's and had fun designing with cousins after Sunday dinner on the 16th. 

Finley loves tying things.  Back home again he figured out how to make a bikini!

Quiche means movie night!  I guess this is one way to encourage your kids to each a broader range of foods. 

Melissa raising our kids a little "granola."

As Grandma Workman was helping clean out Great Grandma Clift's house she came across this electric keyboard and Melissa asked her to bring it home.  The kids really enjoy it.  Every few weeks they'll make a little concert in the man cave. 

Picnic's in February with friends. 

AH!!!! Someone stole our counters!  February 28th is the beginning of what will become a very long creation of cement countertops.