Chesterfield, Idaho
(This is where I spent most of my childhood growing up. It is heavenly!)
This past Memorial Day was very special for me and the kids. We made plans to drive up to Idaho after Austin's last soccer game on Saturday so we could participate in the annual activities which take place there.
Shortly after we arrived, Dad took me, Jax and Alyssa to see my dying uncle, Paul Jr. He is 80 and has been in poor health so we knew the end must be near. And it is. I can't imagine the reunion he will soon have with Aunt Audrey and the three babies they lost in 61, 62, and 63. I am grateful for my knowledge of the Plan of Salvation.
During our weekend visit, the kids connected with their heritage, their roots, in a way they have never experienced. They loved the activities and stories. They loved the experiences that make their pioneer heritage real. Here are some pictures from our weekend!
Remembering Paul and Phyllis Hatch
(my grandparents/the kids' great grandparents)
We drove to the townsite and up to the cemetery to place flowers on the graves of my grandparents. The kids had LOTS of questions about the graves we saw and the restored pioneer homes we drove by on our way. Grandpa Hatch was so good to take the time to tell them stories. Mom was good to read some history from her relatives in Sanpete County for bedtime stories for the kids.
Horse-back Riding
My dad is always soooo good at making certain his city-slicker grandkids get some time on the horses. Justin and Brantly (my brothers) went the extra mile as well to catch the horses, saddle them up and take the kids around the corral until each grandchild was finished.
Grandpa Hatch and Taylor
Uncle Justin and Alyssa
Best friends and cousins Taylor and Jessica
Austin loved the horse!
Jaxson rode the horse like a pro! Grandma Barbie will love this picture! :)
Best Buddies Austin and Kaden
(They NEVER fight- all of the cousins play like we used to with the Nielsen cousins)
Memorial Day in historic Chesterfield
There are a few reasons why my parents moved from Auburn, Alabama back to Chesterfield, Idaho in 1977. One of these was a dream dad had about the old town site that was falling apart. While in Alabama, he had a dream that was so vivid, he got out of bed and spent an hour writing it down in the middle of one night. In a nutshell, he saw the old pioneer townsite restored. When our family moved back to Idaho, he found people who had had similar experiences and they went to work on the process!Each year, thousands of people visit Chesterfield! Memorial Day is special because the community and the ancestors of the pioneers who settled the valley come back in celebration (and to raise money) to continue restoring these buildings.
Justin's kids came along for the day with us as we did as many things as we could!
Then we walked to a stable! The kids loved the rope swing and handcarts.
Afterward we took a wagon ride around the town site where we heard stories about historic Chesterfield. We loved it!
Jaxson and Madison got to sew on some 100 year old sewing machines!
Oh, Look! A pioneer! With a cell phone and neon sports bag! Just like in the days of yore!
After our picnic lunch, we had potato sack races on the lawn! Goooo Kaden!
Taylor wanted to walk on some stilts. She worked and worked on it.
Then we were off to the Blacksmith for some nail rings and making rope. Fun, Fun, Fun!
Our last stops were at the old store for some huckleberry and old fashioned root beer and then to the pioneer home where Grandpa and Grandma Hatch were the tour guides.
The Dance Hall
We also got to go to a dance at the old Dance Hall! The kids were nervous about dancing but Grandma finally got Taylor out there to do the Virginia Reel! When we got back home, the boys had memorized the dance and danced for a half hour with Grandpa and Grandma Hatch in the living room! I have some great video--- priceless!
Meeting our Newest Cousins!
Another highlight was meeting Justin and Jana's new baby twins! They are adorable!
