It has been too long!

My goodness, it has been far too long between new posts this month! We've been all over, seeing awesome things and shopping at Ikea. Needless to say, I've got quite an update to write as well as pictures and video (!!!) to share.

We're currently on a little road trip to Western NC - for happy and sad reasons. Paul's paternal grandfather passed away this week and thus we had to begin our holiday weekend a few days early. Even though he was in ill health and had lived a full 93 years, the sting of death & loss is no less painful. His funeral was simple yet full of meaning. He served as a Marine in World War II, joining when he was nearly 30 years old. He was sent to the Pacific and saw some of the worst effects of the War. He spent time in the Solomon Islands and fought in the Guadalcanal Naval battles. After returning from his military service he worked in the auto industry in Michigan and in California with Boeing. He was the father of 3 children and 8 grandchildren. He was buried with military honors; the playing of Taps and the folding and presentation of the flag (3 Marines total). Memorial Day will never be the same for me (as in it's a lot more than the "first weekend of the summer" and a day off of work) and his passing so close to this holiday make it all the more poignant.