Papa's Birthday

I hadn't been out to Papa's gravesite since he passed away in 2011.  Since we finally live a bit closer, I decided I really wanted to go on his birthday.  Chase never met him but knows who he is from pictures in his family album, so the two of us went to visit.  

Loads of Pages

We've had several occasions this year to have the Pages all together. It's been a lot of fun seeing everyone. Papa always encouraged us all to spend time together, and I know he'd have been proud seeing us band together preparing his funeral. I stole some pictures from my mom and aunt because I wanted to post them to make sure I always have them.

All the grandkids, minus the two missionaries, sang in a musical number together. I don't know when our group got so big!

I played in a musical number with Kelsey, Molly, and Shelby. It was fun pulling it together-- I don't know why we hadn't played together before.

There were beautiful flower arrangements. I should've taken pictures of them.

It really was a beautiful day.

All Nana's grandbabies

I finally got some pictures of everyone from Park City. I'm glad Papa and Nana had put together that reunion. We don't usually get to see everyone together twice in a year.

All the sibs

Nana and Papa and the grand- (and great grand-) kids

Park City Pages

What a group :)

In honor of Papa: Colorblind Cupcakes

It's definitely been a long weekend for the Page family. My grandpa suffered a stroke on Friday morning, and I don't think anyone was prepared. Nana was so brave as she sent him off the hospital, and everyone was very hopeful that there would be no permanent damage. But things haven't been going well. Since I've been just staring at this computer and not able to write more than a couple words at a time, I'll probably have to post about what all has happened later. But today was really a special day. Almost the entire family was together at some point or another to support Nana and show their love for Papa. He's such a great man. He loved his family more than probably anything. And I am so glad that most of the Pages were able to be in Park City this summer and share some great memories. I love how happy Papa is in all of the pictures from that week.

I've been thinking a lot about how to make Papa proud, especially during this time. Even though I usually never say the right thing when there is any emotion or stress involved, I loved how our family was able to find ways to be together. And Papa loves when we are all together. He always wants everyone to be enjoying each other and sharing with each other. I've always felt that he loves to talk about everyone individually and what we are all doing in our lives. I know personally, he's been so supportive of everything I've done with music. I can only think of one orchestra concert he's missed since I've been in Utah. And throughout school, he was always making sure that I was enjoying it and doing well. And ever since I've started this cupcake craze, he's always been excited about whatever I'll bring to our Third Sunday Dinner. So I decided with all the family together tonight, I'd bring some cupcakes in honor of him. They're black and white because he's colorblind, a fact we often joked about :) And even Nana said tonight how proud he'd be of me for bringing some to share. But I think this is about all I'll be able to get out tonight, so here are Papa's colorblind cupcakes: