Grandpa/Great-Grandpa Pack

Grandpa/GreatGrandpa Pack passed away April 2, 2021.  He was 101 years old and lived an amazing life.  He is now with his parents, wife, and other loved ones who have passed before him.  

The funeral was in Salt Lake City on April 16th.  We drove up the day before and spent the night at Dan and Karen Hodgson's house with the rest of the family.  The next morning (the 16th) we drove to the church for the funeral.  It was a beautiful funeral where I learned a lot more about Great Grandpa that I didn't know before.  I am grateful for his example and legacy.

After taking pictures and changing our clothes, we began the drive to Bozeman, Montana, for the burial.  We tried to caravan but we actually just stopped at various places to meet up to eat or get gas in the cars.  It was a beautiful drive and we made good time.

We checked into the hotel and went to sleep.  The next morning we at breakfast at a local diner (there were a lot of people in town so we were worried we couldn't get in but they made room for us).  Jeff and Bryan wanted to see if they could find Great Grandma Hodgson's house so we went in search of it.  It took a while and we ended up asking for the address but we found it.

The burial was beautiful.  Bryan and his 5 siblings were the pallbearers and Navy representatives performed taps and folded the flag.  It was so powerful.  A prayer was said, the plot was dedicated, and then we were finished.  It was hard to leave the cemetery so we walked around looking at other graves and thinking of the history of other people.

We went back to the hotel to change our clothes and then we went on a little tour of Bozeman.  Grandma showed us where she had grown up.  We got to see her school, the path she used to walk home, where her dad worked, etc.  We even went by the house they lived in when Bryan was born.  Of course, they had to get a photo.  I love it!

We left to drive back to Utah.  We all stopped at the Rainbow Ranch to look around.  There was still snow and it was muddy so we didn't get out to explore.  We decided that we wanted to get going so we wouldn't get back too late, so we took off.  We made great time and stayed the night at Leigh Ann's house.

It was a great weekend and a great opportunity to honor an amazing man.

Temple

 Ethan had Zone Conference in Fort Collins so he got to go and walk around the temple grounds.  He loves to take pictures and took his camera.  This was the result.

Cute Courtney

 I got a new phone so Courtney likes to use it to take selfies. 

Easter Sunday

Easter was the same day as Sunday General Conference!  The Easter Bunny came and brought Courtney some Tevas and a bunch of candy.

We bought an Easter egg dying kit to send to Ethan but it was too big so we kept it for ourselves.  It had fake eggs in it (so we didn't have to boil any), packets with dye, and some baggies.  You put the egg in the baggie and pour in a couple drops of dye and then shake it up.  It was messy the eggs were vibrant and it didn't smell of vinegar!

Soccer Face

Courtney made this picture and I think it's hilarious. Some things never change. On the right is when she was 4 in her first soccer season and on the left is when she was 14 on the SCHS team.  Still red cheeks and opened mouth.  The freckles are there too!  What a cutie!

Hog and Jog

This is a fun run in Ivins that is exactly what it sounds...you get bacon as you run.  When you finish, there are bacon-covered donuts to eat.  It wasn't as impressive with the post-run food as the last time we did it.  Last time they had bacon pizza also.  Courtney and Bryan did the run.

They had fun.

Here is Courtney's finish (I didn't get a video of Bryan's finish):

Our Package

Ethan wanted to send a few things home before he transferred from Wyoming back to Colorado.  He asked us how to send a package (kids these days don't do that kind of thing and I thought I had taught him but I guess not) so we explained it to him.  This week we got the package from Ethan.  I loved the mailing label.

And I loved getting a package from him.  Courtney kept the label.  He sent home a couple of coats and his Christmas stocking (so we can use it again next year).

I cracked up at the box he sent it in (I think it was from his young men's leader):

Elder Pack Man!