Dinner with Grandma Ison

Grandma Ison's care worker was out-of-town for the week, so we took turns bringing dinner over to her.

Our family signed up for Monday evening. Candice and Dean's family joined us.

When we got there, it took several minutes for her to answer the door. I called on the phone, we banged on the door, we rang the door bell multiple times and Dean tapped on her bedroom window. When she FINALLY answered the door, she was excited and pleased to see the big crowd that awaited her.

We caught her without her wig on. The kids had a few questions, but mostly couldn't believe that she usually wore a wig. :)

She said, "Oooo, it's nice to see all of you. I was just about to go to bed."

It was just a little after 5:00pm.

We put ALL the extension leaves into the dining table and combined our dinner efforts; chili, baked potatoes (w/toppings) and cornbread muffins.
Dean, Levi & Candice
Abree & Lizzy
Jackson & Treyson

Micaela & Taylee

Rylee & Grandma

See any resemblance?

Grandma & Me

As we were eating, Grandma kept asking the kids their names/ages. Eventually we asked if she would like for them to be written down.

"Yes!"

"Grandma, do you want them in table order or family order?"

"Family order."

Candice wrote them down for her. She looked over the list and kind of said the names to herself. "Grandma, you say a name and we'll raise our hand."

So she would say a name and we would raise our hand. She would look surprised and make a cute comment and then move on to the next name. It became a game. She continued to call names over and over and we would raise our hands. She was surprised every time. :)

For some reason, she would skip over Taylee every time..and would call Treyson's name instead. Maybe it was confusing to know how to pronounce it???

Even Levi got the game. When she would call his name he started to say, "MEEEE!"

We finished dinner, loaded the dishwasher and then visited for just a few minutes. Because it was a school night, we needed to be on our way. It was hard to leave. We could tell she would have loved for us to stay longer. She verbalized her gratitude over and over..so glad that we came to visit.

Love you Grandma Ison!

Ison Family Reunion 2009

Some of my highlights at the Ison Family Reunion:

1. My Cousin Martha (and her little boy Dallin) got to come to the reunion and stay with me at my house. It had been 15 years or so, since she had been at a reunion, and I hadn't seen her for at least 6 or 7. It was so fun to catch up with here and be with one another. We have been best-cousin-buddies since we were young. We used to be each other's best pen pals growing up.
2. I loved having Grandma Ison there. (She has been saying for at least the last 2 reunions, that she might not be at the next. We only have them every 4 years!) She was so happy to have all of us around her. She said over and over how much she enjoyed the weekend. She told me, "I just cried and cried" (happy tears) because she was filled with so much gratitude and love.

3. Having Aunt Loma (grandma's baby sister) there. It was fun to catch up with her. She enjoyed all of the great-grandchildren. She commented to me several times on how she just couldn't get over all the little brown-eyed kids. So cute.

(Oops, I accidentally erased a picture here.)

4. Visiting Grandpa Ison's grave site. This was one of grandma's requests for the reunion. She wanted to show everyone grandpa's headstone. On the back side of the headstone it lists, "Our Chicks" with all of the sister's names; Jocile, Hertha, Angela, Lora Dawn, Jana Lee, Kristen. (Grandpa was a poultry farmer. He raised chickens for many years and then eventually had only the egg hatchery and route.) Chickens are a part of our heritage.

A picture of Grandma and Grandpa's grandchildren in attendance

Grandchildren with spouses

Great-grandchildren in attendance

Grandma doing what she does best.... loves and hugs.

Grandma Ison is 94 years old! She is an amazing example and wonderful person.

5. The raffle. There were many cute, useful, and fun items entered. Taylee and Rylee both won a ride on the Harley with Wade. Soooo cool. Taylee beamed for the rest of the night.

(She's our adrenaline junky.)

Wade and Rylee getting ready for their spin around Lake Lowell.

6. Sunday morning was the sweetest for me. Many of the families, from out-of-town, gathered at grandma's to pack up, make a lunch and say good-bye. I watched as they each took some time to talk to grandma, take a picture and say their farewells. Many sweet tears were shed off and on all morning. We were all so happy to have been together and were sad to leave one another.

Some of us went to church with grandma. It was nice to be there with her and to be a part of her legacy. After church, many of us stayed for lunch and more chatting.

Other memories and highlights of the reunion: reading life predictions from the previous reunion (funny), swimming and crafting at the hotel, the fish pond for the kiddos, sharing memories of grandpa, the "Liar's Game", lots of yummy food, good visiting and good company.

A wonderful weekend. Thanks to those who organized and to those who came. See you in 4?!!