Spring has Sprung Memories

Spring has always been a sentimental time for me.  It always reminds me of my paternal grandparents. I'm fairly certain that they lived for springtime.  The first official day of spring was yesterday and even though tomorrow marks over ten years since we lost my grandpa it is not a sad day.  This year also marks ten years since we lost my grandma.  They both lived wonderful lives with family, love, and laughter.

Gma Betts and Gpa Ed sometime in the 90's.

I am the youngest grandchild on both sides of my family so I think that my view of my grandparents is completely different than the view of my sister and older cousins.  They spent more time with my grandparents and got to know them better that I did as a child.  I remember my grandpa as being quiet.  He always had a great laugh and every single time we left their house my grandpa would go outside (even on the coldest MN days) to wave goodbye as we pulled out of the driveway.   My grandma was always happy even though she was a very stubborn woman (I'm told that I have gotten my stubborn ways from her).

Early 90's with extended family.

We would always see them on Sundays as they were reserved for church and visiting all of the grandparents.  Each Sunday we would walk up to the house and you could smell the roast cooking in the oven.  During springtime they would have Easter decorations everywhere.  I'm talking they strung plastic Easter eggs from the tree out front one by one until the tree looked as though it had brightly colored eggs as leaves.  They loved celebrating holidays with the whole family around even when you celebrate Palm Sunday as Easter (seriously awesome that we got two Easters, two Sundays in a row as a kid!). 

Grandma and Grandpa were so proud of all eight of us grand kids (and then their grandchildren through marriage)

I guess the underlining message here is enjoy the time that you have with the people you cherish in life.  And no matter what keep your memories of them strong.

The most recent "cousin" photo that is missing about 14 almost 15 people.