Well, the day was finally here. An exodus to my homeland :)
We left here and spent the night in Rexburg at Darla and Aaron's.
That is always a most fun adventure!
The boys took the older kids down to Rainbow Lake and they got to play for a bit.
Meanwhile, Darla, Fin, Emilio and I ate popcorn and had fun at home. I mean really, they are the cutest.
Once we finally got the olders to stay on the tramp to sleep- and to just stay put, we hunkered down to watch some LAME show that Aaron loves= Fargo. Do NOT watch it! I repeat, do NOT watch it!
Some people were very tired.
Mom and Dad had met Tate in Billings- where he flew in from Louisiana. They had Nya and Shamar with them and they stayed the night there, so they were right on the same timeline as us. Of course, Dad had to get a picture of the kids when they crossed the border. It's tradition!
When we pulled into Lewistown, all the old feelings came back. Happiness, home. It's weird that I feel that way still, but Lewistown will always be my summer home- memories I hold dear. Months spent with my grandma and grandpa. It was super emotional for me to be there. We drove by grandma's first, and then by our old houses. Wow, it's so run down now, but it's still the same too. We pulled into the Yogo Inn at the same time my parents and Tate did. Oh pete's sakes, I was so excited to see that guy.
It's been 2 years. 2 years, a Tyus, and too long!!!!!!!
I ran out of the car to him. He had prepared for a jump, so when he said, "Oh, you ain't gonna jump?" Then I leapt into his arms. Gosh I love him.
Inside, dad captured some moments between us- moments of slappings and hugs.
Of all my siblings, I'm grateful that Tate was the one that was able to come. He and I have the most memories here and it was soooo nostalgic being there with him. The memories started the instant we saw eachother.
The Yogo Inn for instance- used to be- USED TO BE- the nicest hotel in town. It was where grandma held fashion shows for her shop and school dances were held there. It was super exciting to be staying there, until we saw it....oh boysies. It was BAD. But, oh well. What do you do!?
I loved that Luke and Ally kept messaging me asking when we were going to be there! How I love my cousins. When we all got into the Yogo Inn, Aunt Reba, Caleen, Opal, Chris, Cokie and Nanc were there. Such a reunion. Oh, and Mary and Merrill.
After getting our rooms situated, we went out by the pool- which is indoor by the way- and was amazing when we were little- we went and sat and mingled. The carpet, I'm quite sure, is the same carpet they had there when I was 6. Oh bother- but it was fine. McKay and Missy showed up- they'd been swimming at the city pool. Then Luke and Ally got there! Oh, the reunions are the best!!!!!
We decided to go eat at LBM's (Little Big Man's pizza) because that holds super memories for us. It was good- not as good as we remembere :) - a common theme- but it was good. We all went together too and that was fun!
At 7:00, we were all supposed to meet up at the city park for a little mingle with the family and treats and stuff. So, we headed over there after dinner. Gosh it was so fun driving thru the streets of my childhood!!!!!!!! I really couldn't get enough! And Brent was so cute just letting me be 7 years old again, getting all excited showing my family the sites. I loved it!!!
At the park, they have a little garden, where they have put things to remember those we have lost. After Grandma died, I think Aunt Chris had this one made.
We went to find it, and I had to take a picture with my grandma!
Cokie humored me and got in the picture too!
People started showing up- there were a lot more people there than I thought were coming. It was fun. It was really fun to watch my kids play at the park I played at when I was little- granted it's not the same park toys, but the same place :)
Chuck and Boone were there with their families. Paul and Sally showed up. Uncle Scott got into town. There were cousins and one of grandpas' brothers I'd never met before. Laura and Wes Singley were there- Nancy's best friend and friends from when we lived there....it was awesome.
The boys played some speed.
While these boys went to hit up the creek.
Teet caught up quickly.
Ethan and Max had a fierce game of shirts and skins.
We all went around and introduced ourselves and just had a little mini talk about grandpa. Then we headed back to the hotel for hanging out. The girls practiced their flexibility for hours.
Don't worry that in our room was a sign that said- there will be a $50 fine to anyone caught cleaning their animals in the room! What on earth? Where are we???????
My bed mate was Fin. The beds were quite sketchy. The bottoms where my feet go, were all tattered, and just felt sooooo disgusting. It took prayers to get me to sleep- that's for sure. We had Max and Conli in their own room, Tate had Shamar and then Nya and Sawyer on the FLOOR in his room- they had to sleep there, they wanted to so badly!!!! What the wonkers!
The next morning was the graveside service for grandpa.
Wow. It was so wonderful being there with the family. Taking a look at all those graves- for Kenny and Kathy, Cicely, Ty, Jason, Chelsea, David, Grandma and now grandpa. That is our family in there. Our family.
How grateful I am that we have the gospel. How grateful I am that we have the resurrection to look forward to and that families can be sealed forever.
It was a somber feeling for me.
Emotions were really near the surface and then Aunt Cokie had to come up and ask me to say the opening prayer!! Oh blast!!! I said- it would be more proper for Luke to do it since he's the eldest grandchild. But, little did I know, he was going to dedicate the grave, so I had to suck it up and be brave.
We took a LOT of pictures- and I'm so glad that everyone was as into it as I am. We got pics of everyone.
So, here are the Roberts' bunch. It was really sad that not more of us were there, but I'm SO glad that we got to go. I wouldn't have missed it for the world.
The Moncur girls.
They all got a bit weepy right here- as they should have.
I love them.
The cute boysies.
We sang an opening song, and then it was my turn. I knew I wouldn't make it very far without the tears. And boy did they come. And then everyone else was crying so it made me cry even more. But sheesh. I really am grateful I got to say it. I just thanked our Father in Heaven for gathering us all together. I thanked Him for giving us the opportunity to have our Grandma and Grandpa as ours. I thanked Him for the legacy they gave us and the family they gave us. I don't remember a lot more but I really spoke from my heart.
Luke was AMAZING at the dedication. I remember him asking Heavenly Father to let grandpa know we love him because we know he's a stubborn man and we know he didn't want to be buried there. It was so sweet. I cried hard during that little dedication. How I love my grandparents.
After that was done, they gave all of us roses- they wanted people to represent their families, so Tate and I each got to go over and get one. Then we all laid them down on top of the names on the graves, just a simple little token. Grandma always sent people a single rose when someone passed away, so I think it was for that.
Post all the mumbo jumbo- the little girls were feeling the spirit quite strong too. They were all bawling. It was so sweet.
Maddi and Conli
Here are Caleen, Opal, Reba, Chris, and Mary Alice- all grandmas' sisters. Well, Opal wasn't a blood sister, but she was always there. Always. Mary reminds me so much of grandma it hurts to even look at her!
Boys.
Then we got all the grandkids together:
Front row- Sophie, Isabelle, Conli, Maddie, Christian, Nya, Katy, David
Middle- Ethan, Max, Finley, me, Kelsie, Tate
Back- Paul, Carter, Luke, McKay, Boone, Kole, Shamar, Chuck
And just the cousins.
Paul, Luke, McKay, Boone, Me, Kole, Kels, Tate, Katy, Chuck
And all the grown up cousins- Boone and Chuck were more like our cousins than my moms', but they still had to be in the :real cousin: picture.
I don't even know who the other people are, sad to say, they're cousins on grandpa's side and I'd never met them before!
Grandpa's brothers and their wives/widow.
Sawyer was super curious about the urn.
Cokie and I got a picture with Grandpa this time :)
Then the daughters all glued a part of it down.
And all the kids that wanted, got to push it down real tight.
Just some views of all the people there.
After the burial, there was a little cafe that opened their doors to us for lunch. How.nice. One of the Pyrah's owns it I guess., so they know our family from the olden times :)
They fed us sandwiches, chips, salads, treats....It was good. And the kids got down to some "Comin Round the Mountain" per Aunt Cokies's request.
After lunch, Boone had the novel idea to all meet up at Warm Springs and go swimming.
He and Luke went and LOADED up on treats and drinks and flotation devices and we all showed up.
Holy coldness.
The water was NOT warm!
It is a fake and a phony :)
Lucky for the kids- most of them don't care about the cold, but there was NO way I was getting in there.
Izzy and Fin enjoyed the dragon.
Soy enjoyed the tube.
And then it was the older gals' turn!
Missy and Soph just being adorable.
Sally was able to convince Fin to get in the water.
And Sawyer went fishing for moss with her feet.
Somehow we finally convinced Nya to jump in
And she regretted it right away. Her scream- it was hilarious.
Then Sawyer got brave and jumped in right after.
Look at these 2 twinners. How I LOVED having them here together. Tate loves her so much. He is such a good daddy. I LOVED it!
Sawyer and Christian ended up gathering sticks and trying to sell them.
And Brent and I found the shade and ate multiple kinds of chips.
We also became spokesmen for lays- doesn't it look like it!?
After we headed home and got cleaned up, we went to dinner with Mom and Dad to a mexican place on Main street. It was ok....but the best part was Mardy sportin' his Ninja Turtles mask the whole time. Love that boy.
After dinner, we met up with the Colton's at the bowling alley.
Such a thing is tradition when we are in Lewistown.
We spent many nights there growing up, and Grandma played in a league there forever!
Snowy Lanes....
Dad, Brent, Tate, and Mardy headed out on a drive to have an adventure, but the rest of us bowled.
Finley was sooooo excited to go "boeing" and her little shoes and socks were amazing!
I asked them to turn on the lights for the neon fest, but they weren't interested....so, we bowled in the normal way instead but it was still fun.
Love my family!
So, the past 3 days were a mix of all emotions! Love for the family that we have and the memories I have that are and will be close to my heart for ever and ever. Sadness that when I drove down the driveway to grandma and grandpa's house the gravel didn't make that familiar noise under the tires- that in its' place is a paved road. Longing for the time I can sit with my grandma by a piano and sing with her again. Memories of cherished moments at the store working by her side. Memories of Grandpa taking me to Pizza Hut when he knew I was having a hard day.
We drove by every house we lived at in Lewistown, and down every road I drove on to school, dance and swimming when I was little. We got to go to church and see familiar faces from my childhood that made my life easier, who always welcomed us with smiles and love.
Scenes from my childhood just played over and over in my head.
It was the greatest trip.
It was great to talk about memories Tate and I had together. To drive by the Wrights' house and reminisce about picking up garbage in the front of their house and getting money to go into Skyline to get treats. Driving by the "catwalk" that we would ride our bikes on to get to school.
We had such a good time.
I love my family.
