after the funeral

after the funeral, we went back to the church building for the dinner the relief society put on.

we all hung out and visited.

we took pictures.

uncle gary's four children.

the four kids and almost all of the grandkids (i think four were missing).

this was all of the maycock side that was present that day, minus about 12 people (dave and audrey's gang, aunt jane, obviously aunt suzan.  still pretty good for getting everyone together for a group shot.

i sat at the table with aunt suzan, liza, aunt jane, and this old couple that knows the spratts from another ward in my stake.  they were precious as most old people are.  then liza and mom and i tried to get dad out the door.  he's kind of like a toddler.  one second he's following me and then twenty feet later, we're all out the door but dad is no where to be seen.  we waited and waited and waited.  when i went back to find him, i took this picture.  come on dad!  you know we're all waiting at the car and you have the keys!  so typical.

more flags.

the side of their house.  uncle gary's favorite color was bright yellow.

can you tell?

the mat by their front door.

we dropped dad by the house where immediate family was gathering.  everyone else was gathering at the enormous rental house.  it was a strange mansion turned realty property and we all had fun exploring it.  we all just hung out around the pool while the kids swam and went down the water slide and then later, the party moved into the kitchen and great room while we told stories and ate food.  it was delightful.

then i went back to uncle gary's house with star and skotlyn and star curled my hair in "four minutes or less."  we all had fun laughing at "is it supposed to be twisted around like that?"  star finally concluded that i don't have "four minute hair."  also, it all fell out within an hour and i took this picture after i got to the zollingers.

i wasn't looking forward to the day at all because i was dreading how emotionally draining it would be.  but it turned out to be fantastic, gathering with family and honoring uncle gary.  i'm so grateful i was able to go.