Grandparents

Last weekend Spencer, the kids, and I drove up to Brentwood for a visit. We got there Saturday afternoon and stayed still Tuesday. It was fast, but we had a really good time. I love how excited our kids get to see their grandparents. I have especially fond memories from my childhood of visiting our grandparents in Ontario, OR and I love creating those same memories for my own kids. Actually, this trip to Brentwood was specifically planned because my grandparents were up visiting my parents - making it an extra special visit.

I was excited for Calvin to meet his GREAT grandparents for the very first time!

Saturday afternoon we hung out at the house. Mom made a yummy smoked salmon dinner and Aunt Fay and Uncle Bob drove up from Half Moon Bay to join us. Bummed I didn't get a pic of all of us together at dinner, but isn't this a good-lookin couple!

On Sunday the girls sang a duet of "Teach Me About the Temple" during sacrament meeting. Spencer and I were both beyond nervous. They didn't have a whole lot of practice and the times they did practice, it was crazy slow and dragging. Of course I'm going to be more critical than others, but it definitely needed more work. Luckily, everyone else thought it was amazing and the girls received lots of compliments about what a sweet song it was, how cute they were together, and how beautifully they sang. I was just glad to have it over. Later I learned why Madi was dragging so bad. Second and third hour Madi complained about not feeling well. Then as we was got into car to drive home she started shivering with the chills. We found out she had a fever, and as soon as we got back to my parents she immediately headed upstairs and crawled into bed. Poor little girl.  She just didn't feel good. Elle had a great time in nursery though. Heather Tucker is amazing and always has the coolest activities. This Sunday they made gingerbread houses!

The rest of the weekend we just enjoyed spending time with Gram, Papa, Grandpa and Grandma.

Funny story . . . my mom and dad always like to get little special surprises for the girls when they come to visit. A week or two ago my mom asked the girls what they wanted for Christmas. Madi tells her a fly swatter. This surprised my mom and she proceeded to ask if we have a fly problem at our house. I just laughed and told her how back in the summer, when we'd be barbecuing or just happen to leave the back door open, a fly or two would come in. Flies are annoying though - obviously annoying enough to leave an impression on Madi. She's been wanting a fly swatter ever sense. Leave it to Gram to take care of my daughter's dreams. She found a nice big fly swatter and then added some bling to make it fit for a princess (notice second pic below- it's adorned with sparkles)! Thanks Gram for the awesome surprise!

More surprises from the weekend are mentioned below! The fun didn't stop with the fly swatter!! :)

Monday afternoon we all headed across the street to attempt a family picture (for our soon to be mailed out Christmas card). But of course, anytime I try to force Elle to wear anything, tantrums start and tears are shed. And this time was no different! Elle threw one royal fit - ripping off her dress, destroying her hair, causing her to look pretty much like a ragamuffin for all the pictures. And on top of that, I wasn't a fan of Madi's outfit, but realized it wasn't worth the argument. My goal for next year is to get a family picture taken earlier - not forced or rushed.

Wait . . . is that a smile from Elle!??! 

Four Generations:

It was hard to say goodbye Tuesday morning. Our kids are showered with so much love and attention every time they come to Gram and Papa's house, and this time was no different.

About 30 minutes into our drive home, Elle commented about wanting to go back and wished someone would "pull our car back to Gram and Papa's". Madi quickly chimed in in agreeance. Instead I had everyone help me make a list of all our favorite things from the trip. I was planning on writing a cute thank you card to send to my parents, but life won't seem to slow down and I haven't had a minute to do it, so I'll include our list on here for now.

Madi & Elle's favorite things:
*Playing with the Dora dollhouse (Elle)
*Getting our kitchen (mom and dad let them open an early Christmas present- another fun surprise)
*Projects with Gram (Mom is always prepared with all sorts of fun craft projects. This time they made an advent Santa Claus using cotton balls, a reindeer from tracing hands and feet, and a snowman with foam stickers.)
*Coloring in Papa's office (it's always a treat for the girls to join Papa upstairs in his office while he's working).
*Sleeping with Gram (Elle slept in mom's office and Madi slept on the floor in my parents room, and every night mom tucked the girls into bed. Elle would fall asleep within seconds of my mom singing and scratching her back. She thought Gram was going to sleep in the office with her, so every morning around 5am my mom would move into where Elle was sleeping so that she wouldn't be alone when she woke up. Elle figured Gram slept there the whole night. What lucky girls to have such an sweet Gram!)
*Stories with Gram (we all love the "Gram bag" that's packed with tons of great stories)!
*The park and swings with Papa (my dad's always up for a walk to the park and playing with the girls).
*Seeing Grandmother and Grand Papa!!

Other favorites from Spencer's list:
*Gram's rolls
*Sugar cookies
*Hair cut from mom
*Movie (Lincoln) with Dad and Grandpa
*Visiting with Grandpa and Grandma
*Hot tubbin

Yup! Always a great time at Gram and Papa's! Thanks Mom, Dad, Grandpa, and Grandma for the fun weekend!

Oh, and Mr. Elf had a good time as well. He snuck into our car sometime Saturday morning after his nightly visit to the North Pole and kept an eye on the kids the entire weekend. Calvin especially liked where he decided to "hang out" for the drive home. . .

It was a little too tempting though. The girls had to keep reminding Cal not to touch him!