The Burial

After the funeral in Springville, we packed up and headed to Star Valley, Wyoming.  We took a Team Arkotec photo at the Taylors' house (they were kind enough to put us up for a night) before we hit the road:



Then the non-representing family hopped in:

The drive was really pretty.  It was particularly fun because of my love for, and fascination with, small towns.  I know I sort of grew up in one, but mainland small towns seem different.





We checked in at the Hi Country Inn in Afton.  It was a fun old place, although the radiant heat in the ceiling (how does radiant ceiling heat work?) never came on in our original room, so we ended up having to switch rooms at about 11 P.M.

Terry and Angela had everyone over for dinner Monday night and then again for breakfast Tuesday morning, which was super nice.  We slept in on Tuesday and barely made it to breakfast before people had to leave for the open house at the funeral home.  We ate quickly and then went back to the motel to get showered/ready. 



Pretty much missed the open house entirely.  We met everyone at the funeral home and then migrated to the cemetery.

The cemetery was in a beautiful location, and I loved that there was snow.  It was a perfect day, and the burial was really nice.  They did a military service, complete with "Taps" (the saddest song ever) and a gun salute.   











We loitered for a while and took some pictures after the service.



 



Family photo attempt no. 1 (we'll photoshop you in, Shandie, TKan, and Betsy!):



Clarice wasn't really cooperating.  Rob and Anna tried to get her to take her arms out of her shirt while the rest of us looked on. 



There was no improvement:



Strong-willed, that one, and awfully cute.



Ever couldn't quite last.



Terry and Angela's ward put together a luncheon for us after the service. 



Everdeen held on as long as she could, but she faded ...



... and was out.

We Kringels caught a ride straight to the Salt Lake airport with Danielle, who was flying out that night shortly after we did.  I enjoyed chatting with Dani as we drove.  Ever had the gnarliest diaper situation going on by the time we arrived at the airport.  We had to find a family bathroom and bathe her in the sink. 

I'm so glad we were able to go.  It was fun to see Afton again, albeit briefly.  Just wished we'd had another day there so we could cruise the strip...

and visit the store. 

It made me a little sad that the old "Hastings" sign isn't on the store anymore, but, happily, it is displayed on a different building owned by Terry and Angela just off the main street. 

It was nice to spend a little time with family.  We sure do have a great one.  Grandma and Grandpa have built quite the kingdom.  They had a wonderful marriage and always showed such love for each other.  I'm grateful to know that this life isn't the end and that we can all be together again.  I look forward to hanging out with Grandpa when his hearing, eyesight, and memory have been restored.  What fun we'll have.