Monday, February 7, 2022

Home

I had a good flight home. I watched movies both there and back, RESPECT on the way there and Queen Bees on the way back. I liked both. In Utah we watched The Big Year which was also good. That’s a good movie week for me! Rob picked me up from the airport and then came home and smoked meat, we went to the Walkenhorst’s for dinner and had a nice time. Jon’s mom, Barbara lives with them now and she’s super cute, and I always like spending time with Jen.

Today I’m was back to work. I missed the kids and had a good day. Before I left I made a bargain with the kids, if they were good and worked for the sub they would get popcorn and a movie. If they were good three days they’d get just popcorn. Two or less and they’d be in trouble. I made popcorn buckets (on paper) that had four stripes on them. Each day the sub could have them color in a section if they were good (we had block schedules Monday and Tuesday so they only had four class periods last week). Anyway, one class got a movie (to be enjoyed on Friday), one got a popcorn party and the rest trouble especially one class of geniuses who took their paper down the second day and colored in all the sections 🤦🏽‍♀️. Cheating so poorly is punishable by a long lecture and extra work for no extra credit.

I enjoyed my week helping out. I was thinking about some of the highlights on the way home. Of course meeting Darcy and getting to hold her was amazing. My favorite moments with Coco and Rubes were in the early morning, several times they hopped in bed with me, one on each side, and we talked and laughed together. It was warm and cozy and they were sweet & cuddly. Marshall was “sick” and came to the aquarium with us, he was chatty and funny and clever and helpful, that was my favorite Marshall moment.  It was super fun to have Penny and Tatum with us at dinner. Ezra remembered me and sat on my lap so sweetly after his nap when I was watching him. When Sierra picks me up she was in a good mood, we talked and enjoyed each other’s company and I appreciated her coming to get me and was delighted to spend a little time together. Jenna and I sat looking at Darcy a lot, in the way only a new mom and a new grandma can so thoroughly enjoy. Dani and I sat on the couch watching the Olympics  and talking about nothing special.



I never got to see Val, Jo has Covid for the 3rd time:(, but I did get to see Mom & Dad, Tori and 3 bonus sons so that was great!

Tonight we get to talk to Ethan. Always my fav. This week he got to baptize someone, his first.  I was happy for him. I imagine every missionary hopes to teach people who get baptized, and I am sure every elder also hopes to be the baptizer so that was exciting news. 


Today Dani told me her good friend Autumn was in a car accident yesterday. She was driving with a couple of her kids, she actually was caravaning with her sister and Autumn’s daughter Summer was riding with her aunt.  They were talking on the phone when her car was t-boned by a drunk driver. They are alive, were taken to the hospital, and have been in the trauma unit all this time. They are in critical condition and each have been having surgery and in and out of consciousness. Car accidents are so terrible. I'm praying for them. I also feel so bad for her daughter who heard the whole thing on the phone and saw it moments later. What a nightmare.

Saturday, February 5, 2022

Last day

This morning I went to watch Penny play basketball. She’s our little ray of sunshine and no matter what she does it’s fun to be there with her. That being said they lost but no one was upset.
After I went to the florist and ordered Sierra’s bouquet. 

While I was gone Hannah came over with Tatum. She came all the way from CA to take photos for Jenna and for Sierra. She is a generous person and has always loved her sisters. She will do anything for family and it shows in the way she loves and what she does. I saw some of the pictures while they were still on the camera and they are wonderful. Tate watched Ez, which is also a loving act of service. 

We all hung out for a while and then went to Dani’s so I could spend some time with Ez while Han went to take photos for Sierra and Chris. I took the girls with me. We stopped at Walmart on the way and ran into Penny and Marshall and Dani. So funny! I’ve never randomly bumped into one of my kids somewhere!

 Tatum and Hannah went to take engagement photos and they are awesome! And the rest of us watched the Olympics.  Hannah really captured Sierra and Chris. I saw a couple sneak peeks and loved all the pictures. Tatum was a huge help to Hannah today, and Hannah did a really nice thing for her sisters, and I got to see little Ezra. That all worked out fabulously!

 

Papa and Grandma came to Dani’s around 4. When the picture taking crew came back we had dinner together and visited and watched Encanto.


I can’t believe the week is over. It been wonderful to see all the grands and to do so many fun things. I miss Rob and Grace and am looking forward to getting home to them.
There is room for everyone on Mimi’s lap.

Friday, February 4, 2022

Take 2

We went to the aquarium for another fun filled visit. This time we had Marshall, Ezra and Hannah with us. It was adventurous of us and so fun. The boys loved it and the girls loved it again!








 
This evening we had a girls night. We went to Cosy and to Olive Garden. Dinner was delicious, chatting was fun, Darcy was perfect, it was extra fun to have Tate and Penny there too. 

❤️ My girls! (Missed Grace though)

Thursday, February 3, 2022

Smiling baby


 Oh this tiny baby has stolen my heart. She is just darling. 

This morning the girls played for a long time with silly putty, playdoh, and little dinosaurs. They made fossils and eggs and all kinds of things. They had preschool today also. While they were there I went out to lunch with Tori. It was great to see her. 

Sierra and Chris came over for dinner and after dinner Dani and the girls & Hannah and Ezra (who drove to Utah today) came over and we went over some wedding stuff. Chris and Sierra already had some things done and we filled in some of the other details. It was super fun! The girls were very cute and excited to be part of the planning. I think everything is going to be really nice and I’m excited for them. Also Sierra is going to be a beautiful bride!

Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Sweetest baby ever!

 




It’s hard to babysit a Mimi

This morning we woke up to snow!  (That wasn’t a happy !, I was specifically  hoping to miss any snow).

We braved our way to dance class where I got to watch the cutest little ballerinas dance!


 Then we went to the Farm Life museum where the horses were a hit! And the girls wanted to feed the animals but actually that meant they poured the food on my hand and I fed them. 





Then we went to the dinosaur museum. Their creation of the galaxy room was so cool we went in 3 times!





They played on this “rocket ship” traveling in space for a long long time. 
Then the girls who never sleep in the car and don’t need to nap crashed on the way home!

Tuesday, February 1, 2022

Lunar New Year

We did a lot of crafts today!
We had Chinese food for dinner for the new year (and because we like Chinese food). Papa and Grandma came over and got to meet Darcy.
Pre breakfast water coloring time.

Some of our projects. 
Dressing up is part of every day!
The girls had preschool this morning and Darcy had a doctor appointment .