March 2013

March was a busy month for us. The kids and I headed to the beach cottage where we met up with my mom. I will say traveling to CA (3.5 hour flight) with two kids and pregnant by myself was a little exhausting but it was worth it once we got there. My mom picked us up from the airport and the fun began. I seriously love, love, love the beach cottage. It will always be my "therapy for my soul" spot with lots of fond memories of my dad.

Every morning while Adelaide was taking her nap Jack and I went on a walk down to the beach to discover the sea life. We spotted whales, sea lions, sea otters, star fish, and lots of shells. Jack loved exploring and throwing rocks into the ocean. It was a fun time together plus it gave my mom a little break. Almost every day we played at the beach. The water was freezing but the sun was out. Jack seems to always find friends to play with wherever we go. One day we went to the Monterey Aquarium. It is seriously the best Aquarium. Jack loved pretending he was in a submarine and drawing a jelly fish to send out to the ocean. We hit up Denise the Menace Park, our favorite breakfast and cupcake place, Trader Joes, and we went to Phil's fish market in Moss landing for the first time. It was yummy. We watch lots of movies and just relax. It was so green and beautiful.

Then on Thursday we went to Fresno where we spent the day with the Evensons. It is fun to see the boys play together. They get along great. When GG comes into town it is her tradition to take all the boys to target and pick out a toy. They always love it. My mom headed back to the beach cottage but we stayed the night at Kristy's house. The boys loved having a sleep over. Then Sheila came to pick us up the next day and we headed over to Shawn's brother house to meet Piper and have more cousin time. Shawn flew in that night so he could make Piper's baby blessing. It was a special day and we enjoyed spending time with Shawn's mom and his brother and family. Kenzie and Adelaide are only 6 months apart so they will be best little friends. Shawn had to fly out Sunday night to head to AZ for business. Unfortunately, it was spring break in Fresno and flights were all over sold. So on Monday Sheila drove us to San Jose to catch a flight back to TX. It was about a 13 hour journey for the kids and I. It was so nice of Sheila to drive us to San Jose. I was exhausted by the time we got home but anything for fun memories:)

 On Thursday my while we were in Fresno my mom got a call from her brother saying her mother had a turn for the worse. They ended up taking my Grandma to the hospital and a couple days later she passed away. It was somewhat sudden for everyone. We were grateful she did not have to suffer too much and end up in a rest home but we all miss her dearly. We are grateful for eternal families. So right after we got home I worked for 2 days and packed us back up to head to UT for the funeral. It was a very nice viewing and memorial service and then my grandpa took everyone to the Chinese Buffet for lunch. We shared lots of stories remembering my grandma. She was an example to all of us and had so many talents. It was very sweet and tender day. My extended family was all there and several of my grandma's Canadian siblings and children came which nice to see them as well.

We spent Easter at my mom's house. Everyone came up for lunch and then the Easter Bunny hid some eggs for Jack and Charlie. They had a blast collecting candy. Charlie in his snow boats and Jack in no clothes. Sometimes that is how we roll....... It was a fun but also an emotionally and physically exhausting 2 weeks.
 
1926 ~ 2013
Elaine Steed Roberts, loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, passed away, Tuesday, March 26th, 2013 at American Fork hospital due to complications from pneumonia and Alzheimer's disease.
Born December 9, 1926, in Cardston, Alberta, Canada to Orzie and Eula Green Steed. The daughter of two teachers and musicians, Elaine grew up knowing the importance of hard work, education and music. The eldest of eight children, Elaine spent her life in service, not only to her husband, children, parents and siblings, but to countless nieces, nephews, in-laws, aunts, uncles, friends and neighbors.
As a young woman, Elaine found joy in teaching. Educated at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Elaine taught school in a one room school in the northern territories of Canada, Raymond, Alberta and Provo High School. It was while teaching in Provo that she met her husband of 60 years, Jack Roberts. Introduced on a blind date, they were married in Canada on July 13, 1953, and sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. 
They made their home in Lehi, UT, where they built their home, raised their three children: Jaclyn Eulann, Janice and John. While Jack worked at Geneva Steel for 40 years, they worked together at home raising a family, an orchard, sheep, calves, canning, and competing with Jack's two brothers for the most beautiful garden.
Elaine made everyone feel special. She made the best cakes, pies, and rolls in town. If you were her friend, you got an angel food cake for your birthday. She loved to sew, cook, and can. She loved to work in her garden and to go fishing with her family. She loved literature and music and serving in every capacity. Most of all, she loved her children and grandchildren.



 
 
 
 
 
 Easter (caught with some candy she found....)

The Easter Egg hunt (ignore the mattress in the background)

 
 
 
 
 Random pictures of playing with friends, making goo, and having fun. Jack had a sleepover with his best friend and they were in Heaven all day and night.