Grandparents Are the Best!

You would think that since Brian's parents live within an hour of our house, we would see them all the time, right? Well, we don't. Sometimes, we see my parents--who live 4 hours away--more than we see Brian's parents. Once we realized this, we've tried to be better at making an effort, instead of just thinking it will happen. One of the downsides of living close is that we take each other for granted. So, since it had been awhile, we invited Brian's parents over for dinner on March 8. Then, on March 7, as we spent yet another Saturday working in our basement, not getting as much done as I wanted to, I had this crazy thought that since Michael didn't have school on Monday, I could head up to Idaho after dinner on Sunday and my dad could help me with a few of our little carpentry type projects that we didn't really have the tools for. So, on Sunday, after church, we spent a wonderful few hours with Brian's parents eating, talking, and playing:

 Michael was in heaven having a lightsaber war with Papa!

 Oh no! Papa lost an arm:

We had a great visit. The kids adore their Nana and Papa. When it was bedtime, the kids and I changed into pajamas, loaded into the car, and headed north. I borrowed a book on CD from my friend and was captivated the entire drive up. Michael and Rachel fell asleep, and mostly slept the whole way. They were both wide awake and excited when we pulled up to my parents' house. My kids were so lucky to see both sets of grandparents in one day! And they were doubly lucky to have Grandpa and Grandma tuck them in. In fact, Rachel refused to have anything to do with me, and insisted that "Bama" tuck her in.

The next morning, my mom had to work for the first part of the day, so I went with my dad over to my grandparents' house so that my dad could work on my projects. And then I got to be spoiled by my grandma:

 Yep, made from scratch apple pie from apples grown on her tree--with ice cream. For breakfast.

Rachel loved all of Grandma's dolls:

 She was spoiled with lots and lots of cookies! Michael got to play assistant to my dad (I never see him when we're in Idaho--he's always with my dad!) Both kids were in HEAVEN!

By the time my mom got off work, my dad had to head out to work. We had a fun night with her.
As the sun was setting I went with my Grandma to take pictures of buildings that her dad had made on their old, riverfront homestead.  My great-aunt Margie joined us there, and it was fun to have them reminisce about living there. Things were certainly different, and we're all sad that my great-grandpa sold that beautiful river front property!

I can't believe how many times I walked, ran, or drove past this spot without knowing that my great-grandpa had built these buildings! The lighting was perfect, and I love how the pictures turned out (this is just a small handful).

When I got back to my mom's, dinner was waiting, and then it was time for kids to go to bed. They  insisted that my mom tuck them in again, and then my mom and I watched Chick flicks and talked until my dad got home.

The next day, we were at it again. We took a very lazy morning, and then my mom, Rachel, and I headed into town (Idaho Falls) to pick up some hardware for my cabinets, entertainment for my kids for the drive back home, and some lunch for everyone. While we were gone, my dad and Michael finished up in the woodshop (AKA The Barn).  In addition to fixing cabinet doors, making a large plug, and making a keyhole "lock" for me, my dad also made a truck for Michael.

We got home, and we all ate lunch, and then my dad headed out the door for work.

Now, a word about my dad. He HATES being late. He was in the Navy for five years. He usually leaves for work 45 minutes before he needs to be there (it's a 30 minute drive). He is NEVER late. A minute after he started heading out the door, he remembered that he had planned to give the kids graham crackers with frosting on them. So, he came back into the kitchen, busted the treat out, and watched as Rachel and Michael (especially our cookie fiend Rachel) delightedly devoured them. And then he bid us goodbye again. After he was gone, my mom looked at me with stunned eyes and said, "He NEVER does that. He is NEVER late." And we smiled. He's such a sucker for his kids, and especially his grandkids.

After lunch, I loaded up the car, and then headed outside to watch them play on the teeter-totter. Rachel had been begging all day to go outside, but since she got carted along to town, she hadn't had the chance yet.

None of us wanted to leave, but soon, we had to. I tried to get my mom to come with us, but she couldn't go. So, we said goodbye and headed South, stopping for dinner in Brigham City. It was a fast, spur of the moment trip, but we loved it.

I decided--not for the first time--that my kids have the best two sets of grandparents on the planet, and it was so fun seeing all of them back to back.