Making dreams come true.

WHERE: Maui, Hawaii
WHEN: December 2012
WITH: Mom and Diana
WHY: Because on all of our previous trips to Maui we always visited the Grand Wailea Resort and said that someday we would vacation there.  Diana, again being so generous (and mom as well) made this happen!  For some ridiculous reason Dad didn't want to come so we made sure we were home by Christmas Eve.

MEMORIES:
-It being a most-needed and perfect vacation.  I was in the middle of a particularly rough school year and boy did I need that relaxing getaway.  It really was probably the best vacation I had ever been on.
-The amazing bathroom in our hotel room.
-Walks on the beach.
-Mom and I took a particularly long walk into Kihei to eat breakfast at Kihei Cafe.
-Amazing, yet subtle Christmas decorations that were up in the hotels.
-Paddle-boarding for the first time.
-Doing nothing but lay by the beach/pool and absolutely loving it.
-Hotel's pool amenities (lazy river, water slides, water elevator, multiple pools, etc.)

Diana's coworker gave her these stickers.

Just arrived!

See, I could do it...

...but this is how I spent most of my time on it :)

Still Christmastime in Hawaii

Last evening in paradise.

A bittersweet goodbye.

WHERE: Salt Lake City, Utah
WHEN: October 2012
WITH: Family
WHY: Grandpa's funeral.

MEMORIES:
-We all dined at Grandpa's favorite restaurant, The Lion House. (He went there daily; they knew him by name.)
-We were able to all gather and pick out some favorite things of Grandpa's/Grandma's to take.
-Reminiscing with family.
-Spending time with family.  There were a lot of tears, but there was also a lot of laughter, and Grandpa would have loved that.

Grandpa lived right across the street from temple square; lots and lots of memories.

Grandkids!

Nice photo bomb, Tami.

Probably my most favorite picture ever - love my siblings!

Grandpa served in WWII and so he got a military burial.

Dad has Grandpa's flag framed and in his den now.

Grandpa was a gardener/nursery owner by profession; he loved plants and flowers so we all placed a flower on his casket.

Darin talking with Uncle Heber, Grandpa's younger brother.

What a wonderful posterity!

Troop Beverly Hills

WHERE: Black Butte, Oregon
WHEN: June/July 2012
WITH: Mom, Dad, Diana, Lanson and family
WHY: I think this Black Butte trip was when Diana graciously rented a place for us to go...

MEMORIES:
-Taking walks on trails
-Pool time
-Walk to headwaters of Jack Creek
-Watching Wimbledon
-I remember watching Troop Beverly Hills; it had been a while since I had seen it and I still loved every moment.

Me and Cole

It was Lans' birthday!

3 Sisters

Jack Creek

Dane, Me, Cole, and cookies.

Last times.

WHERE: Salt Lake City, UT
WHEN: September 2012
WITH: Mom
WHY: To visit Grandpa

MEMORIES:
-This was my last visit to Grandpa before he passed away, and I'm grateful I had those moments with him.  I have so many memories with this wonderful man.
-During this visit Grandpa was not completely himself, he was visibly in pain and he was a lot more discouraged then his typical personality.  However, he still had his cheeky moments and allowed his true, fun personality to shine through.

Last picture with Grandpa.  When I took it I said, "Smile, Grandpa!" His response was, "It hurts to smile, Jessi."  :(  But he did it for me anyway.  <3 

Last night-time view from Grandpa's condo. Lots and lots of memories at Canyon Road #702