Memorial Day

This year we did our traditional visit to a couple of the cemeteries in Portland. It was such a beautiful day that I didn't mind being out there so early in the morning! We cut some of the lilacs from our bush and brought along supplies to clean up the headstones. Adrian also got the opportunity to pick up some litter while we were there and so he is officially done with all the requirements for Wolf in his Cub Scouts:) We have done this every year and we visit the sites of Andrew's mom, his maternal grandparents, his little sister, his dad's grandparents, his paternal grandparents, and his uncle who died in the war. I usually stop by to visit Liki Falepapalangi who drowned a few years back--such a tragedy. I decided that although I don't really like going to the cemeteries it is important to honor those who have passed on and especially to honor those who have given their lives to protect the freedoms we all share. I am going to find my family so that next year we can visit them too. At one of the cemeteries they release balloons with messages on them in the morning. Adrian wanted to tell his grandma that he loved her so he wrote that on one and then we helped to release the balloons. It was a moving experience. After all this we headed south to Andrew's dad's house in Donald to spend the day with his family there. It was a nice and relaxing way to spend the holiday. Thank you to all those out there who are doing their part to serve our country and thank you to all of you who have shown us support over the years while Andrew has been serving. We love you!