Grandma Geisler 85th!

Grandma Geisler just turned 85!

We all gathered at Darren and LoaLee's for a little celebration. 

Isn't this cake gorgeous!  Jamie (Jotham's wife) made it.  Cami did the beautiful decorations.  

What talented girls!

Handsome Hatch Boys!

After we had a little party and lip sync talent show we drove over to the 

Riverdale cemetery to Grandpa's resting place.

We drove up this little road.

Isn't it beautiful?!

I had never been to the Riverdale cemetery.  

It is idyllic.  

Quiet and peaceful, it is tucked in the side of the mountain and still surrounded by little family run farms just like it was when Grandma grew up just up the road. 

Most of the Grandkids...

 and Great-grand kids.

I love this sweet grandma.  LoaLee's mom.  Grandma and Grandpa Geisler were our hosts clear back in the days when Rustin and I were dating and Rustin had to come up to Pocatello to see me on the weekends.  We ate dinner with them often and spend many hours in their living room.  Much of our falling in love happened at Grandma's house!

There are a thousand more things I love about Grandma G. 

*Grandma taught me to love fruitcake (seriously!) and to set a table with beautiful lace tablecloths.

*We went straight to grandma and grandpa's house when we found out we were having twins.  

*We had dinner at their house after blessing our babies. 

*I have done a million loads of laundry in Grandma's basement and if I ever left before finishing all the loads I would always find the clothing neatly folded and put in a basket. It was a life saver when I had baby twins.  Hauling them and loads of laundry to the laundry mat was un-bearable... 

*I have spent many a sunday afternoon reading old copies of Reader's Digest in Grandma's living room.  It brings such peaceful memories. 

Those beautiful lace tablecloths grandma puts on her table?...she crochets them all herself.  She is a true artist and craftsman.  We still use two blankets that she made Rustin and I when we were married.

Grandma has always demonstrated faith and perseverance.  I will never forget one afternoon in my living room  just after Grandpa was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.  I've mentioned this before.  It had a powerful impact on me.  The spirit with the two of them was one of the strongest I've ever experienced.  We talked about the future and the fear they both felt at the impending disease-induced mental separation.  Grandma held her hand on Grandpa's knee so tenderly knowing the pain and fear they were both facing.  Both of them showed such faith and grace.  Such an example to me.

Grandma has never missed a single birthday of mine or Rustin's or any of the kids.  Not a single one. She sends a card and some money every single year.  So thoughtful.

When the boys wrestled in the State wrestling tournament in Pocatello we stayed at Grandma's house and she attended all of the matches with us.  Every one.  And she loved it.

Last year grandma talked a friend into buying season tickets to the ISU home football games.  How fun is that!

My grandparents died many years ago.  In fact I can say that I never really had a chance to develop a strong relationship with either of my own grandmothers.  Grandma Geisler has filled that role for me in so many ways.  I'm so grateful.

Happy Birthday!