Ohio and Grandma Abe's Funeral

It has taken me a few days to sit down to write about the last leg of our trip.....probably more to do with the circumstances of it than with actually finding the time to do it.  Our original plan after our time in South Carolina was to drive to Ohio to visit my Abe grandparents for two days on our way back to Wisconsin.  Friday morning (June 22nd) while we were in Charleston, Grandpa called with the heart-dropping news that Grandma had passed away that morning.  The 11 hour drive to Ohio seemed twice as long as it really was.  The girls and I were supposed to fly back to Utah on Monday, but postponed our flight until Thursday.   Kylie and Ellie were pretty worn out from our previous travels, so this part of the trip was the hardest for them.  And they could definitely feel the emotions and stress of everyone else.  Kylie kept asking when we were going back home...."to our home in Provo".  She missed Chris immensely and jumped at every chance to talk to him on the phone.  But I am very grateful that I was able to be there with my family at this time and to remember and honor Grandma Abe.

We spent the weekend being with Grandpa and helping prepare for the funeral.  It was fun to go through old pictures to put on our collage boards we made.  Grandma's viewing was on Tuesday and then her funeral was on Wednesday.  Both were beautiful.  I accompanied my sisters when they sang "Nearer My God to Thee" at the funeral, which was very special. All my cousins, except one were able to make it and it was so good to see them!  We haven't seen each other since our last family reunion which was ten years ago!  We were planning a reunion for this summer (and to celebrate my grandparent's 60th wedding anniversary!), but we called it off a couple months ago after Grandma spent some time in the hospital and then at a rehab center/nursing home.  Kylie and Ellie especially loved meeting these "new" cousins and became instant friends with them.

 

Grandpa's home (and where Dad grew up)

 

Channing and Kylie at the viewing

 

Even though this was their first time meeting, Ellie loved Great-Grandpa Abe.  She always waved to him and gave him kisses. 

 

The mausoleum where the funeral was held and where Grandma will rest. 

 

"Cousin time" at the luncheon

 

Jessica, Kylie, Alexis, and Alyssa

All the cousins (minus Jacob)

Miranda, Alyssa, Alexis, Chelsa, Chandra, Derek, Devin, Channing and Jessica

 

Sibling and spouses....my parents, Jeannette and Richard (Canada) and Bonnie and David (Georgia)

The whole Abe clan

 

Our family with Grandpa.  We love you!

  

Finally back in Utah (did you notice Kylie's rat's nest, I mean travel hair?)

The girls were so excited (and extremely tired) when we got home.  We found that three weeks away (with two and a half of that away from Daddy) is a little long.  But we will have fond memories of all of our travels!  Chris said it was like Christmas when we arrived back and even had a welcome home sign and balloons for the girls (and flowers for me!)  It took the girls a few days to catch up on their sleep and to adjust to Utah time again (Ellie was waking up at 5am for a couple mornings!).  Kylie has already been asking when we are going back to the beach.  Well, not for a while my little fish.  I think we will hang at home for a while....or at least until the next family reunion in a couple weeks!