You'll always be apart of Us...

 My beautiful grandma Bertie Ellen Holmes Boyce passed away on Feb.11 2013. She left behind her 4 beautiful children and husband. Here are the Boyce's. Dave, Patti, Craig, grandpa and Kevin.

 We turned around and came back to Ca after two weeks from visiting her. I am so GRATEFUL I got to say see grandma and say my goodbyes to her. Josh, KC and the rest of the Boyce cousins along with Christopher were her pallbearers.

 Wow! Look at those handsome young men! As grandma ALWAYS said to each of us.."We don't do ugly"!  Tyler,KC, Josh, Christopher, Brandon, Clark, Eric & Nate.

 While we were waiting for everyone to gather. We had a visitor...this blue bird. I know it might be weird to some...but for Bryce and I we have  meaning behind this visitor. See grandma Lyman always gave a present of "the bluebird of happiness'' to couples getting married. We have one. On the day of grandma Lyman's funeral there were 4 bluebirds chirping at her grave site.  When Bryce asked his grandma Croft to give him a sign that there is life after death when she died...they agreed she would send the birds. That Saturday the day after grandma Crofts passing we were sitting in the backyard with mom W. reminiscing...Grandma sent the birds. A ton. We were humbled and knew she was with us. She sent 7 different species. One, the bluebird. So, here at grandma Boyce's funeral we actually captured the proof...that what we have experienced was real. The bluebird joined us once again. We have no clue in the significance of the birds or blue bird of that matter. But, we do know that we will see our loved ones again.

 Such a tender moment. Uncle Dave holding our fragile grandfather's hand

 All from two people falling in love.... Aunt Shauna, Dave, Grandpa, Dad, Mom, Craig, Jan, Julie and Kevin.  These guys may not know this...But I admire them. each one. I am grateful to be apart of their lives. They are what I would like to be.

 Families are Forever. Dave, Mom, Craig and Kevin

 Some of the cousins got to make it...I love these guys! Such great people

 and so it is...we will have laughter and hacky sac after the funeral

 dad. being a nut

 These kids. They have way to much fun. It never fails...there will ALWAYS be laughter when they get together.

 sweet Colei Pokei wearing granma Bertie's gardening hat.

 Such a joy to see these ladies. They are such great people. My cousins.

This was a first for all the sisters to get out and get a pedicure together. Mom with her 5 daughters.

 2nd generation of cousins...Lindsay and Jayden B

 Cousin time in DT Sacramento...

they say...father like son?! If you met these two you would know that they are two of a kind. Does not matter how long you have been separated...its always there....  Austin and Christopher

 Cole, Dad, Austin....Christopher and Bryce looking on at the Sacramento River

 Kids were pretty entertained by this guy. A street performer

Nothing but laughs! Bry, Cole and Austin. Great to be with you Austin! and family for that matter! :)

a visit to home.

There were two reasons to go home...One we came out to see our sweet niece Holly get baptized and the other to  visit my beautiful grandmother. I felt so strong to  go home and visit... I couldn't really tell you why but, I did. It was so good to see my grandma yet, super hard. She didn't look like herself. She was a shell. Though, I had a glimpse of her old self for a split second, I knew she knew me. She put her hand on my cheek with tears going down her face. I cried. I knew this would be the last goodbye for us. I reflected of her HAPPY sunshiny soul. Her laughter, her kindness and love. I love her. I hate this disease. Alzheimer's.  It is so cruel.

 Such a tender moment. My grandma and grandpa looking into each other's eyes. My grandpa kept saying "she's my sweetheart for eternity". We were trying to capture a picture. This is the best we could do.

 We decorated grandma's room with hearts for Valentine's Day.

Always good to see my dear friends from high school. Jules and Nic. It is a blessing to have friends like this. You don't have to talk to each other everyday or month or sometimes years...and you can pick up where you left off. I love these ladies. They were my heart  and strength of my youth. I'm glad I got to go to lunch with them. We are missing you  Tenae.

On a cold winter day....

We had some visitors on a Sunday afternoon. We had about 12 deer grazing out in the field. It was beautiful and peaceful. I love where we live! We have a amazing view and get to enjoy some wild life...once in a while.

Family Pictures

I was SO proud of myself  getting our family pictures done in November...I thought for sure we had enough time to send out our Christmas cards. WE found the most amazing spot to take them. Trees. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE trees! I'm obsessed! I do not know why...but I love them. But time slipped away...with Bryce Westcott working a ton and deciding what picture we liked the most...It didn't happen. So, here we are posting our Fam pictures for the year 2012. Happy New Year 2013! Maybe next year? Same spot same time Bryce Westcott?

Love note

As a parent it does not matter the things that you get. It is the love notes from your children. We got this from Alayda for Christmas and I forgot to post it. It meant so much to us. It makes for all those hard days of parenting pay off when you get something like this.We are grateful to have you in our lives Alayda Rain.