Family Sunday

GramE is visiting in our neck of the woods and I was lucky enough to get to pick her up on Sunday for family dinner in the great Beaver City (Beaverlodge for you non-locals). Cailin laughed the whole drive out and was incredibly cheerful for having had her nap interrupted.

We had a wonderful visit with lots of catching up and drinking of tea. Dinner was wonderful too. After we ate more than was good for us (well, me especially, can't speak for everyone) we piled up in Ryan's pickup and drove out Valhalla way.

I worked at the Valhalla facility for a long time - a teeny oil battery/gas plant just north of Valhalla Center. I knew my dad's side of the family was from around in that area, but I never knew just where. I did think it was pretty cool that I worked in the same place my great grandparents all grew up.

I have always wondered where my great grandparents were laid to rest, and I got to find out. GramE led us to a tiny cemetery hidden in the woods. The church she attended as a girl is no longer standing, but the foundation is still there. Moss is growing on the floor inside the church and the chimney has long since fallen. I took a small piece of brick from the site and brought it home. A keepsake of my heritage. Here's GramE standing at the corner of the church by the foundation:
My great-grandparents are laid to rest under a beautiful tree, side by side. For family members who want close ups of their names, please let me know.
This was another grave, I'm not sure if it belongs to a relation or not. The cemetery was so beautiful and peaceful. This is at about 9pm and the sun was starting to think about going down.
We rounded the trip out by driving by the house that GramE was born and raised in. The house is still there, and I wish I could have gotten closer to explore it and take a better picture.
However, the old farmyard is now in the middle of the new farmyard and right beside the current owners' house. While they would more than likely enjoy showing us around, the yard was terribly muddy and it's rude to make ruts when unnecessary.

I really enjoyed our visit and seeing where my family is from. Now that I know where my great-grandparents are, I'd like to visit again.

Thank you for everything, GramE.