Play Dough

Kayt and Sherie played with play dough just before she left.  Kayt created this hairy crab.  I thought it was so cute, and she was so proud.  A picture had to be taken.  The clay looking thing hanging from it, "his pincher claw" - Kayt

A surprise visit!!!

Is there anything better than a surprise visit from family?  In my world, NO.  Scott's mom called about a week ago and asked what we were doing for Labor Day.  Scott is in another busy season so we had zero plans.  She said that is great because I am coming out?

I love Scott's mom.  She has a knack for knowing what you need before you know.  If that makes sense.  After she left, I realized how timely her visit was for our little family.  It has been a roller coaster month, to say the least.  It was so nice for both Scott and I to be 1) taken care of and 2) have an excuse to step out of our normal routine.  My girls especially needed some grandma love. They always do, no matter how much they have gotten!

I think it was especially good for Scott to connect back to home.  I really feel like he needed his mom.  He has been worn ragged trying to take care of me, our girls and then also work.  He got a little behind playing Mr. Mom for a bit and had to catch up last week.  No matter how old you get, there is nothing like having your mom around.

The visit gave us an excuse to get outside.  We went to Old Town Alexandria and met up with Tiff , Kurt and Kylie  Linford.  We also played at the park, multiple times and went swimming (of course).

Thank you so much for making the quick trip mom.  It was what we all needed!

Old Cemetery in Alexandria.  The Revolutionary War tomb of the Unknown soldier is here.  And it was also the church were George Washington had his funeral.

Playing by fountain in the town square.

Tomb of the unknown soldier.  I thought the inscription on the top of the tomb was so beautiful.  I am going to share it.

Here lies a soldier of the Revolution whose identity is known but to God.

His was an idealism that recognized the Supreme Being, that planted religious liberty

on our shores, that overthrew despotism, that established a people's government,

that wrote a Constitution stting metes and bounds of delegated authority, 

that fixed a standard of value upon men above gold and lifted

high the torch of civil liberty along the pathway of mankind.

In ourselves his soul exists as part or ours, his memory's mansion.

And yes, Ella made it to the top by herself!!

My Mom Has Come!!!

So, I was asked to be part of girls camp this year on a stake level.  I was so excited and my wonderful mother came out to watch my kids.  Well, that was the excuse anyway.  She came on a Wednesday and camp wasn't until Monday!!!  I have never had my mom visit my home by herself so I was super pumped.  All of my excited was justified.  I love being around my mom.  I love just hanging out and talking with her.  Doing things to together etc.  My mom and I are so similar in many ways it makes it easy to be around each other.

It was so nice to just be together.  Chatting, playing with the girls, watching old movies while eating popcorn, touring around, cooking.  All the good stuff!!!  Scott especially enjoyed the good food (mainly breakfast!, he never gets it at our house.)

My girls were dying with anticipation.  They asked everyday for a week if grandma was coming.  My mom got in around 11:30 and Kayt refused to go to bed because she wanted to pick her up.  When she say her, she just sprinted down the terminal yelling "GRANDMA!!"  I love that my girls have such strong relationships already with their grandma's.  My grandmothers are so special to me.  And my childhood is filled with so many fond memories with them.  I want that so bad for Kayt and Ella.  That closeness is a huge reason we are going to be moving back to Idaho soon.

We had such a great time while my mom was here.  I was so torn going to girls camp.  However, because of some issues, I was able to spend the last two days of her trip with her too.  Thanks so much for being here when I needed you in so many ways.  I love you mom!

Natural history museum

 Butterfly house at the museum.  I actually had one land on purse.  Thank goodness for the obnoxious double doors.  I would have walked right out!

One of our favorite spots in the city.