Love and Legacy's

When we traveled to Oregon for our vacation this summer, we made it a priority to visit with all 3 of my living grandparents.  The first stop was to my Grammy and Pop-Pop's residence, where Pop-Pop was in hospice care.  Along with Brant, we joined my Dad and sister (and baby Joy), and made a special visit to give hugs, express our love to him and Grammy, and, I guess, pay our last respects.  It was exactly as I had anticipated, which was very difficult.  But I wouldn't have traded it for the world.  I was blessed to be able to talk with him, hold his hand, tell him how much I loved him, and just be with him.

My Pop-Pop, along with Dad, Sarah, Joy, and me.

This picture is everything to me.  I get teary-eyed just seeing this, but I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the moment I had here, for the lifetime I've had with this man as my grandfather, and for the legacy he laid out for his family.   I kissed his head, told him how much I loved him and said goodbye.  I knew it would be the last time I would see him, which was surreal, but again, I was so grateful that we made it up to Oregon in time for this.

My beautiful Grammy, who was delightful, despite all that was happening in the room.

The next day, on our drive to Sunriver for vacation with my side of the family, we made a special stop in Eugene to visit my Grandma Erna.  It was so sweet to watch her interact with my kids, giving us malt balls to munch on, and enjoying our company.  Life is fragile, and I'm so glad we were gifted the chance to visit with all 3 of my grandparents during this trip.

Grandma, with my Mom, Geoffrey, Maddie, me (and Brant, taking the picture), inside her apartment. 

Enjoying the Oregon sunshine on the rooftop!

My mom had her stethoscope along for the ride, and Dr. Geoffrey had no reservations about checking Grandma's heartbeat! 

On July 6th, my Pop-Pop went home to be with Jesus.  It was anticipated, and we had all been waiting for the phone call, but that never makes it easier to accept.  We were on vacation in Sunriver when we found out, and the following week, while we were camping in Southern Oregon with the Himes' family, Brant and I drove back up to Portland to attend the service.  It was incredible to me, how God perfectly orchestrated the timing: we made it up to Oregon to be able to see Pop-Pop once more, and we were still in Oregon at the time of his memorial service.  Our kids were well taken care of, and had a blast at the campground while we were away, and we were able to be with my family --- all of them (and we're a big clan!), to celebrate Pop-Pop's beautiful life and legacy.

We drove to Portland and spent the night at my parent's house, which also meant a bonus shower in the middle of a week of camping and sleeping on a real bed for 1 night!!  The service was held in McMinnville, followed by a wonderful meal at a local brew pub, where we reconnected with all of my cousins, their spouses, second-cousins, aunts, uncles, everyone.  The Vandehey family, or the "Van Clan" as we lovingly refer to ourselves as, is a fierce bunch.  We love each other to the core, and as big as we are and as little as we all see each other, deep down, we have the legacy of love and family running in our blood (thanks to Pop-Pop and Grammy), and getting together was a real treasure.

The beloved "lemon drop tree," which was crafted just for this service.  Pop-Pop had a love for lemon drops!  When you'd visit their house in Eugene, he would always have a lemon drop to give you, and he'd point to the tree in the back of the yard, saying it had come from his very own lemon drop tree.   As a kid, I never doubted him and believed his tale for years.  Seeing this tree, with real lemon drops adorning it, was perfect.

My cousins, with one missing, making 20 in all.  This is not including all of our spouses and children...the legacy of the Van Clan is deep and wide!

My immediate family, just before it was time to drive back to the campground.  Tim, Sarah, Dad, Mom, me and Brant.

My sweet, dear Grammy, along with my sister.  I cherished being able to hug her and see her once more on this trip.

Family is not something to be taken for granted.  I am well aware of the deep riches I am blessed with, from all sides of my family, the Himes' side included.  We are ready and so very excited to be moving back up to Oregon, where we can be around for so much more than we have been.  We are happy to be able to give our kids the chance to continue to grow in their relationships with their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

As my Pop-Pop always said, "We are so very blessed!"

Huntington Beach to celebrate Maddie & Daddy!

We hit the beach on Father's Day this year, which just so happened to be Maddie's actual birthday as well!  The temperature in our area was forecasted to be in the triple digits, so this felt like the best way to combat the heat and do something special to celebrate.  It was perfection!

Rewind to the night before, after a full day of hosting fancy birthday party and once the kids were in bed, Brant and I spent 4 hours assembling a dollhouse for Miss Maddie Mae.  It was close to 2am that we finally got to bed, and the birthday girl was up at the crack of dawn (as expected!).  She was elated when this greeted her downstairs!

"Pie Face!"  We loved playing a round of Maddie's new game, before packing up and leaving town!

Happy Father's Day, Brant, and Happy Birthday, Maddie!

Enjoying the CA beach sun, rather than sitting in a small, AC-filled apartment! 

He's such a California boy, isn't he?

Playing in the surf is the best with Daddy!

I love this picture so much!

They equally have the other one wrapped around their fingers.

This little buddy does, too!

We enjoyed dinner at Red Robin, where Maddie was genuinely surprised with a birthday sundae (she really did not know about this tradition, so it made for an extra special end to her day!).

What better gift for Father's Day than to celebrate the love of your family, and the birthday of the child that made you a parent??  It was a great day!

Fancy Maddie turns 7

If you know our Madelyn Mae, you know that she adores dressing up, walking on her tip-toes, wearing jewelry, tiaras and, well, being fancy!!  For her birthday this year, it was both fitting and an absolute thrill when we landed on the theme of a fancy tea party with her girlfriends, based on the Fancy Nancy book series.  We had a marvelous time pulling together the details, all of which were focused around enjoying the fancier things in life!  

Fancy Maddie is 7, and can hardly wait to get this party started!

I'm a very detail-oriented individual, so planning a birthday party with a theme is right up my alley!  

The girls were invited to accessorize with rings, bracelets, tiaras and necklaces, upon arrival.

A simple favor I made for the table: little candy nail polish bottles, which were way too simple!  First, I took a toothpick and pushed half of it into a tootsie roll, which was pierced right into a large marshmallow.  Next, I dipped the marshmallow into pink candy melt, placed it into a clear bag with a bow, and viola!

Various signs were placed around the tables.

"Remember to eat with your pinkies up and call each other darling!"  This was Maddie and Geoffrey's favorite sign, and they were rehearsing it weeks before the party!

Photo booth props, ready for memory making!

I didn't snap a picture, but we had PB&J or cheese sandwiches cut out in flower and butterfly shapes, and most definitely with frilly toothpicks!

Why yes, we did have cake and ice-cream.  But a Fancy Nancy party isn't complete with parfaits, which are the main character, Nancy's, favorite treat.

The main table -- it was beautiful, and the girls loved how grown-up and fancy it all felt.  We had tea-cups, tea pots with pink lemonade, fresh flowers, scattered rhinestones, boas hanging from the chairs, silverware wrapped in napkins and tied with a bow, doilies, and extra sweet treats, awaiting the girls. 

My friend let me borrow so many of her wonderful pieces for the party, including this Eiffel Tower, perfect for the center of the table!  I found the pearled "M" which made it all complete.

I just love how delicate it all was!

Sweet little extras!

And more!

We had a Fancy Nancy word game available to play, as we waited for all of our fancy guests to arrive.

There was a lot of fun to be had, between the photo booth, the dance music playing, eating and drinking, and simply reuniting with school friends who hadn't seen each other in a full week.  It honestly was a glorified, fancy playdate, and we couldn't be more happy to provide this for our sweet girl!

The backdrop for the photo booth was ridiculously easy.  Three plastic tableclothes from the dollar store, cut into strips up to about 4 inches from the top, and then braided just enough to hold it in place.  I added the poofy tissue paper balls for extra flair.  I love how well it turned out!

Hamming it up!

Lunch and tea time!

They were all on their best behavior, and loved being served their food, always saying "yes please," or "no thank you."  This mama was definitely impressed!

The only thing we didn't serve them was the pink lemonade.  I think they took on the task quite beautifully.

It such a joy to step back and watch them all interact and enjoy each other's company! 

Pinkies up!

Geoffrey even found a spot at the table for him, and behaved quite well, considering he was the only boy invited and allowed to sit at the big table. 

Look at these little ladies!

Having a marvelous time!

Maddie and Kyra

Maddie and Hailey

Maddie and Sophia

Maddie and Anelle

Maddie and Xtilali

Maddie and Danika

Some photo booth action with her kid brother.

Maddie and Gabi

Maddie and Lauryn

We sure are related!

Happiest of birthdays to my sweet baby girl, who made me a mama and is already 7!!

Pulling out the fancy for Daddy. 

And making moves!

We had a friend who came prepared with a full playlist of today's hits, perfect for 7 year olds, on his stereo system.  It was a huge hit, and the dancing, giggles and singing that erupted just about every two minutes, was a riot!

The girls doing their best "Elsa walk" during Let It Go!

At one point, an impromptu cha-cha line began parading around the room -- they were having a blast!

"Happy Birthday, Fancy Maddie!" cake, complete with tiara and sceptor.

Sing it out, girlies!

Sweet.

Wish for the world, baby girl!!

One of the best parts of the party happened at the very end, when the girls broke into the Cha-Cha Slide.  We slid the furniture out of the way, and they got into it!  It was a fabulous way to end an amazing afternoon!

Happiest of birthdays, Madelyn Mae!  You bring zest, joy and LIFE to every room and every person you meet.  May your love for Jesus only grow, your desire to dance remain, your confident spirit stay strong, and your light never grow dim.  We love you to the moon and back, sweet girl, and are so proud of who you are and who you are becoming!!!