This is my great-grandma Margaret Nelson. She was one of the main reasons I wanted to make a trip north this year. She just passed away June 25. These pictures were taken June 7. It was an answer to prayer that I had a chance to say "goodbye" in person. Grandma raised six daughters, and was 97 years old when she passed. May her memory be eternal!I see a lot of similarities in our hands. My grandma Sylvia, who passed away in 2004, had the same hands.
See my crooked index finger?
I don't think Grandma knew who I was, but I know she enjoyed the company.
This is my grandma Sylvia's grave-site.
This is the view from Grandma's cemetery. The mountain is Pioneer Peak and the hill to the right is the Butte, which is the land my great-grandparents were given by the federal government in 1940-ish. They raised their six daughters, including Sylvia, on that Butte. It's neat to see so many important landmarks from one location.
This is Grandpa Dan's house where he and Grandma Sylvia raised their family. This is the house I grew up visiting and where all the major holidays were spent in my childhood. I remember asking Grandma why they painted their home those odd colors. I don't remember her response.
I have vivid memories of sitting at this vanity and brushing my hair. :)
My grandfather is a highly skilled craftsman. He made all of these German WWII era scenes from scratch!
Hands in pockets, just like Grandpa requested
To scale German tanks from WWII
He made 8 of these guns, which are exact replicas of the standard issue US weapon used in WWII. I'll find out the name since it's slipped my mind.
Yes, that's Marilyn. This is exactly how I'll always remember my grandpa.
Childhood friends: Marianne (Moss) Nelson and Amy deSchweinitz
Joined by dear high school friends: Kelly (Flasher) Haag and Michelle (Flasher) Brumfield
Grandpa Tom holding Jude and Johnny
Uncle Gary's home
My uncle Gary took Brandon on a "real" hike. Gorgeous!
Can you see the individual blades of grass are ensconced in ice?
This is a butt trail from Brandon sliding down the mountain.
A ptarmigan
My Aunt Naomi made an awesome meal for all of us, her kids and her grandbabies. Delicious!
My cousins Megan and Lindsey
Freshly caught halibut, salmon, king crab legs, potatoes, salad and cornbread.
This is Aunt Naomi's crew: Peter, Steve, his wife Alicia and son Levi, Megan holding Ezra, Lindsey and Jake and their daughter Piper.
My brother Cody
Aunt Naomi and kids at 9:15pm just before leaving for the airport. Look how bright it is!
