Christmas Tree 2015

This year, we set up Grandma Thomson's Christmas tree. Grandma's birthday would be on Christmas Eve. We have lots of things in our home to remind us of Grandma, just as we have things to remind us of my Grandma and Grandpa Robb. It's important. It's important for our children to know their grandparents - those who are here and those who have passed.

I wept as we put up Grandma's tree this year and then watched the kids decorate it. She would love it. It's perfect. We also set up her nativity, which is like no other nativity I have ever seen. It's beautiful. It's authentic. It's perfect. We laughed as we set up her dancing Santa. I teased the kids that Santa was twerking. Jackson told me to never use that word again. ;)

Christmas, in our home, is simple. It's all about family. We have a sign in our home that says, "We might not have it all together, but together we have it all. " We really believe that.

Goodbye, Gram

Sunday night was Gram's viewing. None of our kids had ever been to a viewing before. We told them that they didn't need to touch her, or even look at her if they didn't want to. We were about two hours early so that we could make sure everything was just right. Each of the kids walked right up there and talked to her! Jackson immediately broke down sobbing and went to sit down. Kaydon never left her side. It was very sweet. He was adjusting her blouse, fixing her hair, puffing her pillow and fixing the lining in the casket throughout the whole viewing. Every time someone walked up to the casket, he stepped up right in front of them and just put his hand on her. He was extremely protective. Josh finally had to tell him that it was okay to go sit down. It was very sweet to watch the kids with her. It was a long, long night and the kids did great. Right before we left, Kaydon walked up and said, "Well, see ya Gram's body!" He was spot on. It was just a shell. Grandma wasn't in there anymore. Til we meet again Sweet Gram.

Grandma's Obituary

December 24, 1925 ~ December 9, 2014 Lorraine S. Pettingill, peacefully passed away at her home Tuesday, December 9, 2014. She was born December 24, 1925, in Moorhead, MN the oldest daughter of William and Nellie Olson Loe. The family moved to Layton, Utah in December 1942. She married Lee Thomson, June 1, 1944. They were parents to three children. Later divorced. Lorraine was active in the Bountiful Sweet Adeline's and enjoyed traveling to competitions. She loved cruises, Christmas and shopping. She worked at Hill AFB until transferring to Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM in 1976. She was secretary to the Commander of the 1550th Aircrew Training and Test Wing and received special recognition for arranging official functions. She retired from Kirtland in 1988 and returned to Utah. She married Rex Pettingill May 30, 1995. He died July 2, 2011. She was a member of the Lutheran Church. She is survived by her daughters, Linda (Larry) Darley, LeAnne Christensen (Lance Boyle), siblings, Marlys Loe, William E. (JoAnn) Loe, ten grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. She loved her family. Preceded in death by her husband, parents, son Larry, sister Lois Iverson, brother Donald Loe and granddaughter Justina Watkins. Graveside services will be held Monday, December 15, 2014 at 2 p.m. at Kaysville City Cemetery, 500 E. Crestwood Road. Friends may visit family Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist's Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road. Special thanks to Summit Hospice caregivers, Brenda and Courtney and Senior Companion, Jan for their loving care.