Smile, Grandpa!

The other day, I was encouraging Michael to "smile for Grandpa!"  He looked in the camera and said, "Smile, Grandpa!" I switched the camera to video mode. The second video is sideways (oops!) but it's the longest clip, so I thought I'd put it on. Just turn your computer sideways if you can...: )

Saturday Morning

Our company left today--so we had to have a big Saturday morning finale starting with pancakes that spell, well, can you tell what those letters spell? 

I'm studying the art of  pancake batter ABC's. The kids love it! Gene was wondering where was his syrup. 

Saturday morning pancakes were followed by checking out (or sleeping in) the Saturday's market. 

Gene wanted to push Mikey in the stroller. It's nice to have a helper such as Gene. These boys can be rough at times, but they are so sweet too. We had not seen Gene or Elida for a year and a half--this was a great time together. 

Sunshiny day

Heather, Elida, and Gene arrived Wednesday and stayed through Saturday. With the sun shining each day, the kids especially spent lots of time outside. Heather and I took the kids on my favorite walk to a nice park where the kids can explore and play amongst the trees.

Heather and her kids adored Robbie. I'm so glad they got to meet him while he is so little. Robbie was delighted by the extra voices to hear, faces to see, and hands to hold him.

Elida picked garden strawberries, and even made us a fruit salad.

The cousins shared lots of laughter, and shed a few tears when they were over-tired and unwilling to share anymore. You know how it goes--they are so excited and play so hard all day long that by bedtime everyone is exhausted and ready to say goodnight.

Cute photo of Mike.

A Happy Father!

Happy Father's day

Weekend Last

I got to spend a weekend with my twin sister. Friday night at 8, Marta called us from I5 out of Seattle to see if she could stop by. 4 1/2 hours later, she was here. 

We played piano, sang some tunes, laughed a lot, stayed up late talking, walked down a country road, and had fun with the kids. It's been quite some time since we've shared so much fun, but because we are sisters, it was like we'd never been apart. Come back soon, MartINa!

Weekend Past

Two weekends ago, Adam's parents drove along the ET highway, through California, and northward to our home, arriving Thursday afternoon. Because my parents were also visiting for a quick weekend, Emily and Michael were thrilled to visit with BOTH sets of grandparents for a weekend. It doesn't get much better than that! 

Friday, the kids had fun riding a vintage carousel when we all went out for pizza at a local place on the river.

Saturday morning, we all went to the market and enjoyed seeing the crowd of locals, live music, and street performers. We saw a middle school rock band start off their performance with "We Don't Need No Education."Emily was mesmerized by the beat of a Native American drum accompanying three singers.  The best part--the food! Poppy-seed cake with cream cheese frosting, carrot cake, cheesecake drenched with raspberries, chocolate bars,ice cream sandwiches, spinach crepe, Indian chicken dish, and I can't remember what else were among the foods that I either bought or sampled from someone else. We had some good food at home too (what is a vacation without lots of good food?). Lynne made us a "Cafe Rio" sweet pork dish that is my new favorite!

We celebrated Grandpa David's birthday on Sunday. The kids were not feeling very well, but that didn't stop their excitement over birthday cake and ice cream. Of course, the best was just visiting together and watching the kids play with grandma and grandpa. 

Thanks, Mom and Dad A, for making the long drive to the NW!!!

One of those mornings

It has been one of those days, well, one of those mornings. I ended up being on my own with the kids while Adam helped pass the sacrament in church today. Just as everyone was growing quiet to prepare for the sacrament, Mikey started fussing. He really turned it up when Adam walked by our pew. Meanwhile, down in his car seat, Robbie was NOT falling asleep but also starting to fuss. I'm just waiting for the top to blow when a sister scoots in beside me and whispers, "Looks like you could use some help." I smile, "Yes!" She holds Mikey for me (which was like trying to hold a squawking, agitated bird, I assume), while I unbuckle Robbie and pull him out of his car seat. She quickly decides to take Mikey out, which was really nice of her especially because I think she really just wanted to hold the baby.

Now, we are home and both my boys have calmed down (how else could I possibly be making a post right now?). I've made a batch of "healthy" cookies, the dishes are done, and the house is peaceful . . . for the moment.

p.s. I've got a lot of catching up to do--we've had two wonderful weekends with family visiting. That'll be my next post.