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While we were in Idaho we were surrounded by snow.  I was really glad Jonny had experience driving in snow and that I didn’t have to do any driving while we were there.  We knew it would be cold so we had to get a lot of snow gear before we left to take with us (which is really bulky to pack, let me tell you).  Grandma and I were lucky to find two of the last snow jackets and boots for the boys in the stores (since everywhere is already selling swimsuits).  Although it didn’t snow while we were there, there were already several feet of snow on the ground.  The boys had never been in snow before and it was fun to see their reaction.  Evan really enjoyed playing in the snow, making snow angels, having snowball fights and playing with all his cousins in the snow.  He played outside for hours.  Seth, on the other hand, wasn’t as impressed.  He would play for a few minutes and then want to come in and be done.  He must take after his mother.  Not that I don’t like snow, because I do, but I don’t like to be cold.  I can only handle prolonged periods of cold if I’m well prepared with jackets, hats, scarves, long underwear, etc.

Daddy and Evan building a snowman together.

We spent a couple afternoons in Grandma Pearson’s backyard.  No one had been in it since the snow fell, so it was pristine for the kids to play in.  The snow was deep enough in some places to come up to Evan’s waist.  The kids had a great time building snow forts for a huge snowball fight.

On one of the days the grownup boys cleared snow from around Grandma’s house to help when it melts and also shoveled snow off of the roof.  Evan had a lot of fun taking a “snow shower.”  Thanks to Uncle Doug for providing the fun.  There’s a cute video of it below.  I’m working on embedding it here, but in the meantime you can click on the link below to view it.  Make sure your sound is on, because the laughing is the best part.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDRh5wdbNFQ.

We took a trip to Idaho Falls to attend Grandma Pearson’s funeral.  We drove to Las Vegas to take a direct flight to Idaho.  It was the first airplane ride for the boys, and they actually did really well.  Good thing we had Grandma, Aunt Melanie and Uncle Andy with us to entertain the troops.  Grandma had bought the boys some special airplane toys so they had something new on to play with.  It was also fun that we shared the airplane ride with all the cousins from Las Vegas and St. George that went to the funeral.  There ended up being about 35 family members on the plane together. 

The weather was really cold in Idaho.  There were several feet of snow on the ground and the wind was blowing pretty hard when we arrived.  By the time we left a few days later it had warmed up a bit so that the daytime high was in the high 30’s.  But most of the time it stayed in the 20’s during the day (and I won’t even guess how cold it was at night).  Needless to say for those that know me, I was freezing the whole time. 

Despite the cold, the funeral was very lovely too.  It was at her local ward building, and many family and friends came.  The great-grandchildren sang “I am a child of God,”, the female grandchildren (or grandchildren spouses like me) sang a song, many grandchildren spoke, one did a beautiful vocal solo, and of course, her children spoke.  It was very moving.  Then we all went to the graveside for a few remarks.  The male grandchildren served as pallbearers and the male great-grandchildren were honerary pallbearers.  Then the Relief Society served the family a wonderful lunch.  I was so appreciative of their service and hard work.  It was truly appreciated by all.  After lunch, a photographer came and tried to capture everyone in a family picture.  Boy, did she have her work cut out for her.  But I think she did a great job of getting all of us together at once.  There must have been 50 people.  Then it was off to Grandma’s house for some fun in the snow.

The hotel we stayed at was really nice.  They had complimentary breakfast every morning, which we all loved.  The boys and I especially liked the make-your-own belgian waffle maker.  And there was an indoor pool that all the cousins swam in every night.  We finally got Evan to take a dip on the last night, but he enjoyed watching everyone else swim.  There was even a little sauna-ing by some of the cousins – they would take a dip in the hot tub then run outside and roll in the snow and run back inside into the hot tub again.  It was pretty funny to watch.

By the end of the trip we were all pretty tired and ready to come home.  The drive back from Las Vegas wasn’t very fun, but we didn’t hit too much traffic so it went as quickly as it could.  It was great to see all the family.  All of Grandma’s children were there, and all of the grandchildren except the one currently on a mission in Hong Kong were there also, and many of the great-grandchildren.

We found out that Grandma Pearson passed away yesterday morning.  It’s a sad day for our family.  She was a wonderful woman, and she led a long and full life. The last few years have been difficult for her, so I’m sure she is much happier now in heaven with Grandpa Pearson.  I’m glad I had the oppourtunity to get to know her a little since Jonny and I got married.  I’m also very glad that we were able to go to her birthday party a few weeks ago and see her one last time.  Her biggest joy was her family, and she loved to be around them.  She also like to see picutures of everyone and read and re-read letters she received.  She will be missed.

A picture of the 4 generations of Pearson’s a few years ago

Here is her obituary:

Glenna Fullmer Pearson, the last remaining child of William Price Fullmer, Jr. and Fanny Whiting Fullmer, passed away in the early-morning hours of Sunday, February 3, 2008.  Glenna was spending the Winter in St. George, Utah and, while there, succumbed to the effects of age.  She was born on January 13, 1918 in Lost River, Idaho.  She is survived by her five children: Jon of Irvine, California; Susan of St. George, Utah; Kathy of Las Vegas, Nevada; Robert of Eagle, Idaho; and William of Idaho Falls.  19 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren also survive her.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Lennart G. (Bill) Pearson, her parents, and her 16 siblings.  Glenna taught school in Idaho Falls for 26 years.  She was a member of the Idaho Falls Eighteenth Ward of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she accepted such callings as Primary President, Young Women’s President, and Relief Society President.  She was a graduate of BYU.  The funeral will take place on Saturday, February 9, 2008, at 11:00 a.m., in the Eighteenth Ward LDS Chapel, 1200 Dunbar Dr., Idaho Falls, ID 83401.