Ralph's Memorial

For the first time since moving to Kansas, we all traveled away together.  We went to New Mexico for Sarah's grandfather's memorial service.  We had indirect flights and were separated for the first leg to Denver, but then were able to sit together to Albuquerque.  Both kids were very well behaved on the flights.  

On Thursday we arrived in Albuquerque.  We saw lots of family right away, including Sarah's Uncle John and his girlfriend, Kathy, and Sarah's cousins Ann and Dennis from Atlanta.  Every day during our stay we visited Sarah's grandmother, who is doing pretty well.  The memorial service was Friday morning.  It was very nice and the church was filled with caring folks.  Attending a memorial is never an easy thing.  Sarah's grandfather's remains are being kept in the columbarium at St. Michael and All Angel's Church.  I think one of the hardest parts of the memorial service was when we went into the columbarium and the rector put the urn on Sarah's grandmother's lap so she could place her hands on it for a prayer.  It is just so hard to imagine them apart.  We sure miss do miss him.

While in New Mexico, Sarah was also able to see a couple of old friends- Jennifer and Marissa, which was fun.  It is always good to catch up with friends you don't get to see very often.  We had breakfast with Elle's godmother, Betsy, and we went shopping in Old Town with Sarah's family.  Patrick kept wanting to take Elle up the mountain on the tram, but the weather did not permit.  

Patrick, Sarah, and Jay returned to Kansas yesterday.  Due to lightning storms in Denver, we had to see on the runway after landing for an hour and a half.  Then, after boarding the next flight we had to sit on the runway for another hour and a half before taking off.  It was the pits, but Jay was a trooper and we finally made it back home.  Elle is staying in NM for the week and will be coming back to Kansas next weekend.

Memorial Day has been pretty low key for us.  We mowed the lawn and did some other yard work.  Dunkin had an appointment to be shaved.  Last year when he was shaved the groomer kept all of the hair on his tail, but this time he only has a little puff at the end of his tail.  He always looks so different after being shaved.  I think Jay thought Dunkin looked funny because right after Dunkin returned home Jay chased around the house after him with a giggle.