Our Trip To Sage's 5k White Rose Memorial Run

We had a wonderful time despite many long hours in the van we had tons of fun and made a lot of memories.  We left around 3am on the morning of the 14th.  We sailed through the valley and just as we got to Cave Creek I heard a sound behind me no parent likes to hear.  The adults all looked at each other and then I got brave enough to ask Trey, who was sitting behind me, if he had thrown up.  He said yes and we promptly pulled over and cleaned the poor little guy up.  After inspecting the back of my seat and head rest I decided that it was my lucky day! 

We were back on the road with no more sickness the rest of the trip!  Although Trey did like teasing grandma by pretending to be sick again and again.  We stopped in Page, AZ for gas and to change the kids from their pajamas.  I went into the little store and noticed a rather "Scantily Clad" mannequin.  Then I saw Jayden approaching and I new her reaction would be priceless so I stood there with camera ready and got this picture. We got many laughs at her expense!

We traveled to Logan, Utah where we stayed with John's parents. They are such wonderful people and I really mean that.  They opened up their home to us, provided towels for showers and even got up early and fixed us a huge breakfast.  We had family prayer with them and were on our way.  We did stop and visit the Logan Temple before leaving.  All temples are beautiful and this one was no exception.

We visited the Idaho Falls Temple and ate lunch...and of course took lots of pictures.

Sage's Rock at the Idaho Falls Temple.  I don't know what prompted me to place it at Christ's feet but when I looked back at the family they were all crying.  It was just so symbolic because we know Sage is serving the Savior.

Spencer and Crystal's sweet family

Amanda and John with precious Izzy

William

We spent the night in Missoula, Montana.  John's brother has his PhD. in music and is the band/music leader for the University of Montana.  John and Amanda spent the night with Kevin and Brenda and we stayed at a Hotel.  I have to complain because the hotel was HOT HOT HOT!  We were expecting a nice cool comfortable night but instead we were on the 3rd floor with no central air and we were miserable!  But the next morning we were back on the road and enjoying the cooler weather and gorgeous scenery!  We stopped at a rest stop and were amazed to see dozens of ground squirrels running around.  They would eat our crackers and just let us pet and rub their tummies!  It was amazing and the kids loved it!

Isabelle loved watching them

We made it to Newport and stayed in this amazing little B & B that Spencer's sister Cindy and husband Keith provided for us.  We had the entire basement to ourselves.  It was nice and had all the comforts of home plus some.  They leave the refrigerator full of breakfast stuff and you cook what you want and then little fairies come and clean up after you!

The Waldon House

Then Saturday the 17th was Sage's second birthday and his memorial 5k race.  I won't post everything about the race here.  I will post more detail and photos of the race on Sage's Blog.  The race was a huge success thanks to all the efforts of Cindy and the dozens of volunteers!  It was a very emotional, happy, and over whelming day to see so many people there.  Many families have also suffered the loss of a child and all you could do was cry and just love them.

Can you believe all those runners?  We were amazed at the turn out.  The last count I heard there were 181 runners...not bad for his first race!

Spencer walked 2/3 of the race with Jayden on his shoulders and of course her friend "Old Bear" was there also.

NISSA-Northwest Infant Survival & SIDS Alliance

One of the many race markers

Crystal, Spencer and kids in front of Sage's Memorial Wall

It was very emotional to see Crystal's testimony for all to read on Sage's Wall we were also happy to see that they used the picture Sage's great Aunt Tamra and Uncle Jim took after they wrote his name in the sand.

Old Bear on Sage's table

They called the family up on stage and really made a nice tribute to them it was so emotional and such an honor to be there.

After the race we went to a museum that was lots of fun for the kids.  I will share more museum pictures in another post.

We spent another night at B&B and left for Kalispell, Montana the next morning.  We picked up my granddaughter Haven in Kalispell and took her to Arizona so she could spend the rest of her summer with her dad and Jessica and sisters and new baby brother. 

We traveled to Glacier National Park and took lots of pictures.  I will share those with you again in an upcoming post.  It was just breath taking there!  I did not know it would be so beautiful.

We traveled back to Logan on the way home staying with the Griggs family again.  Then on to visit Spencer's brother David and his family in Heber City.  We ate a nice lunch with them and then traveled to Enoch near Cedar City to visit with Spencer's brother Lynn and his family.  I have to say Spencer's family are all wonderful people!  It was so good seeing everybody and it's is good to be home again...even though it's hot!  We took this picture when we pulled into the yard.  We had traveled 3,367.5 safe miles!