"We hug with both arms in this family..."

On Saturday, May 2 my grandmother, Betty Kirby passed away at the age of 84. After hearing from my dad regarding her passing, Erica, Kylie, and I purchased tickets to fly to Idaho to attend Grandma's funeral. We flew out of Arkansas on Sunday morning arriving in Idaho that afternoon. Although the circumstances were not favorable, it was very nice to see and spend time with family. It had been almost a year since Erica and I had been to Idaho, and this was Kylie's first trip to the Gem State. She really liked it! Plus she got to hang out with her Grandma, Grandpa, Great Grandpa, aunts, uncle, cousins, and tons of extended family besides that. She loved seeing other kids her age and size (those are two very different things).

A highlight of the trip was attending the Temple on Tuesday with my Grandpa Kirby, my dad, and my aunts. Erica was nice enough to stay with Kylie while I attended with my family. They had a great time walking around the Temple grounds, taking pictures, and teaching Kylie about the Temple. The tulips had started blooming and Erica got some very pretty pictures of the grounds and Kylie.

Grandma Kirby's viewing was Tuesday afternoon and the funeral service was Wednesday. It was a wonderful service. My aunt Kitty gave the life sketch and was followed with remarks by my cousin Heath Mitchell, David Chapple, and myself. We spoke of good memories of Grandma and things we admired about her, specifically her love for our Grandpa and her family. Principles of the Gospel were also incorporated to remember Grandma's better life after passing from mortality. A knowledge of the Plan of Salvation brings comfort and reassurance in times of grief. Grandma lived a wonderful life and left a legacy of love for each of us to follow.



{Four Generations of Kirby}


{Don, Grandpa, and Mike at the Idaho Falls Temple}


{Pretty Girl, taking pictures with Mommy.}


{She was in the middle of singing to Mommy about the temple.}


{"Why do you keep putting this thing on my head?"}


{She loved picking the grass and trying to eat it. }


{Chillin' in the car, waiting for Daddy to come out.}


{She absolutely loved playing with her cousin Emma. Every time she would come around, Kylie would start kicking her legs and flailing her arms and try as hard as she could to get to her. Here she is loving some kisses from her cousin.}


{Just watching the cousins run around.}


{Happy Girl.}


{Trying to get Mommy.}


{Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa, for making this possible. We love you.}


{Mike, Grandma and Grandpa Kirby at our wedding in 2006. We love you Grandma.}



As part of the trip, we also got to visit with my Mom, Terry, Erin (aunt), Paeton and Braden (cousins), Jerry and Kim (uncle and aunt), Dillon, Cameron and Matthew (cousins). We all gathered for dinner at Jerry's new house on Monday night. Nothing like fried chicken to bring a family together. It was fun to see Kylie interact with everyone even though she had just met most of them. She definitely isn't a shy baby.

{Mike, Jerry and Mom "cuttin' spuds" and making dinner.}


{Kylie loved her Auntie Erin!}


{Mike, Kylie and Mom hanging out on the couch.}


{Momma and Baby, waiting for the plane in Idaho Falls.}