MV - Memorial Weekend

For me it seems to be a tradition to spend Memorial weekend on Martha's Vineyard and get a taste of summer on the island. However, this year we all gathered together (earlier than usual) to have one last family reunion before my parents leave for their mission in June. It was a great weekend with birthday celebrations, painting projects, and kids running around. Charlotte kept up with her cousins and looked like a constant ragamuffin, which is to be expected there. It was a lot of fun and we can't wait for summer!

Hiers family (minus 2 brother-in-laws)

Baby Elisa

Birthday boy Taima and birthday Grandma

Birthday twins

Menemsha

Sai and Taima

The 3 musketeers 

Lots of ice cream

Jen and Tracy

Flying Horses

Ocean Park

Our sanctuary

Dinner on the porch

Walks on the lane

and more ice cream

The beloved tree house

Triple trouble

Utah

In the beginning of May we took a trip to Utah to visit Stuart's family. Unfortunately I didn't have much time there as I went down to New Mexico for my grandfather's funeral, but Stuart and Charlotte stayed in Utah and had a great time with the Layton's. I felt like I spent most of my time on an airplane; however, we did get a chance to visit the zoo, grandparents, cousins, and my best friend Bianca. Charlotte had a great time playing with cousins and even though it was a short trip for me - it was a nice visit. 

The Layton's view

Feeding the horses

Nice teeth

Great Grandma Layton

Shopping for fruit trees

Bianca with her adorable babes: Penny and Hazel 

Auntie Bridget and matching braids

Cousins Ashley and Zoe

Cousins Taylor and Kate

Little Lynlee

Grandma and Grandpa Layton

Great Grandma Pope

The Aquarium

Loved Ones

These last few weeks have been very emotional for me and my family. On May 8th my Papa (my mother's father) passed away and then the next week on May 17th my MamaJean (my father's mother) died as well. I've been thinking a lot about these beloved grandparents and how grateful I am for the relationship that I had with them. 

 Howard R. Jones

My Papa was 82 and died of complications after his heart surgery. All of this was incredibly unexpected for our family and even more so since we just saw him a couple weeks prior to all this. He was a true tough guy on the outside, but mush in the inside, especially when it came to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I still can't believe he is gone and he will truly be missed.

Jean Mason Purdom Hiers

My MamaJean was 94 and her health had been failing for years now. Unfortunately she had Alzheimers and was in hospice for some time. Sadly her passing coincides with my mother's birthday, May 17th. She was the most elegant and proper woman, raised in the South with Northeast roots. It is because of her and her mother that we have Martha's Vineyard, which I have the fondest memories of. I feel as though I lost her some time ago, once her health started failing, but I have many wonderful memories of her and grateful that she has moved on; reunited with my granddad. 

Afternoon Tea

In April I organized a little baby shower for our dear friend Bonnie at Upstairs on the Square for afternoon tea. It was a fun outing with girlfriends and fun for Bonnie to get so many cute girl clothes. 

Love spending time with these ladies!

Our friend Deja made this amazing quilt. 

Laurel Ave

Last week I said good-bye to the house I grew up in. My parents have sold their home (that they have lived in for the last 22 years) and are currently living on Martha's Vineyard until they leave for Utah in July. 

It feels very odd and almost surreal. I've known this day would come for a while now, but I'm not sure it has really hit me yet. I'm going to miss driving out and seeing my parents on a regular basis and I know Charlotte definitely will. It's probably better she doesn't really understand what's happening.