day seventy four

The dreaded goodbye day has arrived. We went to the airport one and all to see Grandma and Grandpa off.

Here are all the grandkids minus Derek, Pace and Bailey

John, Michael and Dad

Mom and Jack with a little bit of Lydia in the picture

 

Me and my mommy

Family pic courtesy of the airline employee who certainly earned her wages today!

 

Me and my Pa

Jacki with her airport buddy

Taylor saying goodbye to Grandpa

Just to clarify this picture... My mom, Laurie and I are on the Varsity team while John, Mike and Matt are on the JV team.

Hicks and Mom

Michael and Dad

It's all smiles now... just wait till security sees what my mom has in her carry on!

Lots of hugs, lots of tears, lots of me having melt downs and they're off! Goodbye Grandma and Grandpa! See you in 18 months! WE LOVE YOU!

day seventy three

Sunday dinner with all the cousins and family. This will be the last time we all meet together for the next 18 months. Even as I type this I am hyperventilating! Jade, Pace and Bailey had to stay in Vegas on account of stupid school. Being the only part of the Pace family who lives outside of Cedar is a drag.

Uncle Buck and Sahara

Dad cutting up the mutton. My dad can cook mutton like no other. It's depressing when I make it and my kids inform me that "it doesn't taste like Grandpas". It's kind of true though... it doesn't.

Laurie has been over all week helping Mom pack. They have lists upon lists upon lists. I cannot even imagine packing for a year and a half. I would have a melt down.

They packed an entire carry-on with meds and supplements. It weighed in at 26 lbs!!! I died laughing when I saw this. The DEA at the airport is going to have a field day with this! Hopefully they don't have drug sniffing dogs at customs in Africa.

 No words can describe the cuteness of this picture of Grandma and Max.

Ole Pete stirring up the macaroni and tomatoes

And now for the icing on the cake of a perfect day... the setting apart of Elder and Sister Pace. President Rollins set them apart. In the circle were the rest of my family. To see my dad get set apart by my brothers and then my mom get set apart by both my brothers and my dad was pretty unreal. The spirit was so strong in that room, I felt so blessed to even be a part of it. I don't know of a time when I have been more proud to be their daughter than tonight.

day forty five

Happy Valentines and Mom and Dad's Farewell Day!!! Dad and Mom spoke in church today for their "farewell". Although my Dad was bound and determined that no one would witness the speaking in church, a few people found out about it and came. Here is Dad and Uncle Ted.

Mom, Aunt Char and Uncle Gary

La, Hudson, Jade and Dave who looks like a photo bomber.

Pace and Devin

Sarah was nice enough to host the after church dinner. Here are all the cousins having a bite.

The small table of bigs

I love this scene... everyone milling around eating, laughing and just being together.