Grandma's Memorial Service

Like I mentioned in an earlier post my Grandma Jo Veenker passed away May 29, 2011.  She had been living in Utah with us but her real home was in California, so naturally that's where she wanted to be buried, next to her husband.  The whole Veeneker clan, minus my brother Doug's family (they were in the middle of moving), took a VERY quick trip to the June Lake area for her funeral.

We left Friday around 9 and followed the hearse (which happened to be my dad's excursion, kind of a weird thing but they got permits to take Grandma across borders and my parents didn't mind having a casket behind them while driving, so oh well).  After we got to my Uncles house in June Lake we had dinner and caught up with cousins and other family members that I haven't seen for a very long time.  It was so nice!

Saturday we had the funeral service at my grandma's grave site (my grandma wasn't LDS) and then...we got to watch as my cousin's, dad and uncle buried the casket.  You see the area she was buried is a VERY small town, and there aren't any funeral homes near by so we had to do pretty much everything ourselves.  It was kind of fun and now we'll always have that memory.  After the burial we had a little wake at the community center near by and we were able to celebrate my grandma with friends and family.  It was so nice.

Later that night we had another BIG dinner at my uncles house.  There were so many people there and we just had the best time talking and visiting with family. 

The next day we left!  Three day trip and two of those days were spent driving.  It was very quick but totally worth it.  We love and miss you Grandma, but thanks for your wonderful example in life!

Bringing Grandma into the community center

At the community center before the burial.

At the Grave Site

See I told you we had to do it all ourselves!

The Wake

Wake

Wake

Dinner at my Uncle's

Dinner

We had a BLAST driving with Scott and Andrea.  Jax even came and did so good in the car!

Before we left on Sunday we stopped off at some of the look out spots and took pictures of June Lake

Scott and Andrea could be models!  So cute!

Veenker Family Photo's

My amazing sister-in-law Katie took family pictures of my side of the family a little over a month ago.  Katie hasn't been taking pictures a little over a year and I am SOOO impressed with her!  She is getting sooo good.  If you are looking for a reasonably priced photographer in the area, you really need to check out her blog and giver her a try.  I hope you enjoy some of the pictures she took of my family.

I love this one of all the nephews.  Unfortunately the nieces didn't get a picture, so hopefully next time we'll get them.

Mai's Here!

Our Amazing friends the Jensen's had their first baby.  Remember I did a shower for Teresa a couple of months ago?  Well Mai came in May and being the awful aunt that I am I can't remember the exact date.  Sorry Teresa.  She is such a doll and we are just so happy for the Jensen's.  They have been waiting for a LONG time, just like us, to have a baby.  I think that's one reason we get along so well.  We have lots in common and when it came time to do something on the weekend we could call them up a few minutes before  hand and have a night of fun.

Mai is such a good baby.  She doesn't really like to be held all that much and is totally content most of the time to just laying on the floor and playing with her rattle.  It's been so much fun having a fifth person added to our group.  I'm sure it would be a lot more fun if Clint and I had someone we could add to the group, but I guess it's not our time.

So Congrats Robin and Teresa, you're great parents, great friends and we are just so happy that you're in our lives!

I just love Robin's face in the picture on the left.  He wouldn't look at me normal when I took the picture, so just for that Robin, the whole world will get to see your goofy self!

Mother's Day

This year we spent mothers day at Patti's house (Clint's mom).  It was a great day filled with yummy food and good company.

The boys cleaned up, nothing could be better than that.

And just a few family pics.

Liberty's Baptism

My cute niece Liberty was baptized  into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints in May.  It was a great day and I'm so happy that I got to celebrate with her on her big day.  I'm so proud of you Liberty!  You are such a great niece and I love spending time with you, you're sweet, nice, caring, funny and just an awesome girl!  Love you tons!

Below are some pictures at the yummy luncheon after the baptism.

 

Cousin Mya

I'm so happy that I took this picture of Libby and Grandma, it was only a few weeks later that we lost Grandma.

I LOVE the look on her face, priceless!

It wouldn't be a picture of Chris if he wasn't posing!

Cute Girl Cousins, McKinsey and Lexi...we missed you!