Bitter-Sweet Birthday

This year my birthday was kind of unusual. My father's father, Douglas F Prince, passed away a few days before and his funeral was the day of my birthday.  Marshall took the day off work and we traveled down to St. George Utah to see family and attend the funeral service. When we knew he was most likely not going to recover from his latest ailment, we had planned to make it down to see him and Grandma as soon as we could since they had not yet met Kate. Unfortunately, we weren't able to get there in time, but here are some pictures we were able to get at the family gathering with Dad and Grandma.

 

Not all of the cousins were able to make it to the funeral, but all of Grandpa's children and most of their spouses were there. Here is the big group shot of those who were in attendance.

Here is Grandma (Beth Prince) with all of her living children and their spouses. (Emmie wasn't able to attend because she was too far along in her pregnancy and Heidi had to stay in Colorado to hold down the fort).

 

Grandma and her children. Top row (Leon, Bill, Warren, Sam, Leland, Kim) Bottom row (Frances Williams, Sheila Knight, Beth Prince, Peggy, Gwen Mecham)

 

 

Daughters

Sons

 

Because Grandpa was being buried in Salt Lake City, the graveside and dedication was held the next day. As you can see the weather was not ideal to say the least but it was still a neat experience. Marshall's dad, Wayne, was able to attend and he helped with Kate while Marshall and I braved the weather.

I love military tributes! They are always so emotional for me.

 

It was a bitter-sweet couple of days and a little bit of a downer for a birthday but overall a good experience. It was so nice to see so many family members and especially nice to see my dad and brothers on my birthday (a rare occasion now that we are all grown). Grandpa's funeral was emotional and touching. The spirit was strong and there were a lot of opportunities for family member to heal and grow.

I had several impressions over the course of those couple of days, but only a few that really stood out and that I will never forget.

First, I am so grateful for the legacy of obedience and service, (especially service to the Lord and in building the Kingdom of God), that my father's parents have left me and my children.

Second, I am continually impressed and grateful for the example of unconditional love, especially towards family, that my own father shows.

Third, while my uncle Leon was sharing a letter written by one of my cousins, he quoted something along the lines of how my cousin was always grateful for the last name Prince and how he knew he was somebody because he knew it meant something to be a Prince. I always grew up feeling the same way, however, I was overwhelmed at that moment with a feeling of gratitude towards my husband and his family, the Beesons. I am so grateful that my daughter, and future children, have such and amazing legacy of strength, obedience, faith and service from both sides of their family. Marshall spent the entire funeral in the hall with Kate so I could enjoy time with my family and honor my grandfather. He was taught by his righteous parents and he is such an amazing example himself.

Even though if you would have asked me beforehand how I would've liked to spend my birthday this year, this wouldn't have been it... I am so grateful for the life-changing experience and impressions that came with that unique day!

What a wonderful Father in Heaven who blesses us with tender mercies!

John's Birthday Lunch

I was going to be out in Texas for John's birthday this year and we wanted to make sure we got some celebrating in before I left. So, the Saturday before his big day we met him and Nick at Tucano's in Provo for some lunch. We had a great time visiting, eating and even met an Apostle... not a bad turnout if you ask me!

When we first walked in and were seated we noticed this gentleman across the room that looked remarkably similar to Richard G. Scott. 

After Nick arrived we discussed it further and he confirmed that yes indeed, it was the Apostle! Of course, then we discussed how it would be inappropriate to interrupt his lunch for a photo op but did anyway after several of the wait staff did. Hey, don't judge, everyone was doing it! 

Here John is jamming out during the Birthday song! Don't worry, this was AFTER Elder Scott had left!

A great afternoon! The next Saturday while I was in Texas, Marshall, Nate, John and Nick celebrated some more at the shooting range! Jill and I thought it would be fun to do a "homemade" birthday message for John. Here is what we came up with!
Happy Birthday JOHN!

Earth Divers- Kate's first Art Show!

We took Kate to Uncle Lelands art show at BYU sometime in February (one of the many disadvantages to back blogging is that I can't remember exactly when it was).
We met up with John and Nick and got to visit with lots of other Prince family members who we don't get to see too often. It was Kate's first art show and she did pretty well considering it wasn't too formal. Here are some pictures.

Sick or Sweet ?

Probably both but still a fun story... Here's how it goes...

I was standing at the kitchen counter, holding Kate and talking on the phone. As she squawked with disapproval at me for daring to try to be productive during any of her waking moments, she spit out her binki. I looked down only to find it had landed in Charger's water bowl...SICK! I put Kate down on the floor in the living room (still squawking) and turned to retrieve the binki. But there was no binki to be found. "Ewe, Charger!" I turned back to my now very fussy child and discovered Charger had taken the binki out of his bowl and placed it right next to her face! I'd like to think he did it as if to say, "here precious little baby girl who has filled my life with joy, don't worry, I'll get your binki". But most likely he was thinking, "For real? It's bad enough you show up and all the sudden the world revolves around you and I'm suddenly getting yelled at for things I never did before. But now your darn binki is in the one thing I have managed to claim as MINE!? Take your darn binki and shut up!"

Either way I found it both sick and sweet.

Oh ya, I think my vast blogging audience should also know I immediately snatched up the binki by my child's head and replaced it with one that hadn't been contaminated.

Our October...and November...and...

I really didn't want this blog to turn into a place where I just post pictures and list the months events... I really want to have cleaver stories and insightful thoughts to share... but it is just not in the cards right now. I wish I had a good excuse but alas, nothing. So, here is our October and November as best I can remember... for now.

It started out with Conference. One of the best I can remember. Maybe because I am a mother now I paid more attention... I don't know but I LOVED it! Here is Kate trying to wake Marshall up and get him to pay attention. He was sickish that weekend. Kate surprised us by rolling over for the first time right at the end of the Saturday session!

Marshall was put into the Elders Quorum Presidency.

He found a snake in our flower beds on the way to a meeting. This unfortunately has had NO effect on our little mouse problem...that will have to be another post when I can handle detailing the NIGHTMARE that has been!
Loey came to visit mid October! Here Kate is seeing her again for the first time since August. She is BARELY awake but wanted to stay up to see Nana before she went to bed ;)
Nana was only here for a short weekend trip but while she was in town we managed to play some games.
Kate wanted to be on everyone's team. I love this picture of her hanging on to my mom like a little monkey!

Me, Nana, and Kate went to Witches Night Out with Aunt Julie and the girls!

Me and Kristin

Kate slept most of the time in her car seat but she wanted to be festive too so we made sure she had a hat just like everyone else!

When she woke up she had to take in all the Hoop-la that was going on around her. All the available people watching helped her forget it was WAY past her bedtime by the time we got home. She was a trooper!

The trip was short so we didn't get to go for a drive in the canyons to look at leaves like we had hoped to but we did find these beautiful trees to take some quick pictures by on the way to the airport.

Nate and Britt graciously invited us to participate in their traditional Halloween festivities again this year. We made a very brief appearance at the ward Trunk-or-Treat and then headed their way. Here is my tired little puppy taking a snooze on the way there.
Cutest Puppy EVER! (sorry Charger, it's true!)

The "bones" and other roll creatures I made for our creepy meal.

We had a blast eating and visiting and RUNNING to the door to see all the trick-or-treaters! It was so funny to see Marshall and Nate grab the babies and sprint to the door every time the doorbell rang. Kate and Isaac had fun playing together too!

Kate trying on Isaac's hat from his "Swine Flu" costume. Typically October is the month of birthdays. This year Wayne went out of town on his and Nate, Isaac and Britt were all either sick on their own or each other' s birthdays so we had to stay away. We will celebrate twice as much next year.

Visiting Vickie

Exactly a week later

We went to the Gingerbread Festival at Thanksgiving Point with Nate and Isaac the weekend before Thanksgiving. Britt was sick so she didn't get to go :(

Not the most elaborate house but one I thought was cute.

Britt and I tackled Thanksgiving dinner all by ourselves this year and we did a dang good job if I do say so myself! This the BEAUTIFUL turkey she made! It was yummy!

Babies playing. Kate loves playing with Isaac.

The rest of our FEAST! It was just the four of us and the babies. We had tons of leftovers per Nate and Marshall's request.

3-D Movie Thanksgiving day

We had a family get together at Breakfast with Santa

Grandpa Beeson with the newest grandchildren

At the Gingerbread House Festival we made BIG plans for having an FHE and making Gingerbread houses of our own. There was talk of drawing up elaborate plans and making the gingerbread ourselves... maybe next year!

This is what happened instead

This is the face I get when I ask Marshall to try to take a serious picture

Well, that is pretty much it. Other noteworthy events the last few months are:

Kate started rolling over and rolling around and scooting on her head and sleeping longer stretches and eating solid foods and taking big girl baths in the big girl tub and has been practicing sitting up.

We have all had a little cold or cough at one time or the other but managed to keep from getting the Swine Flu from Nate and Britt.

We have had Wayne stay with us and it has been fun to see him and Kate get to know each other.

We have also had some mice stay with us and it has been frustrating trying to outsmart the little buggars but we haven't given up yet.

We are heading to Texas in a week to see my family for Christmas but when we get back I PROMISE I will be a better, more eloquent, entertaining blogger... AND maybe I will FINALLY have Kate's blog ready to go. She is excited to share all her thoughts and opinions on life! :0