Grandma & Grandpa Weekend

It started on Friday. Al's Mom and Dad took us to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house and then to dinner at Market Street (for my birthday). We had a lovely evening. Then on Sunday, we surprised them by showing up at their ward at 9:00 a.m. Alan's brother, Dean, had been asked to speak for Father's Day. Dean lives in Boise. His family was planning on traveling up but they all got ill. Friday night Dean called to ask Al to take over his speaking assignment. It was a total surprise for his parents that Alan was speaking. It was a wonderful talk! Al did such a good job on short notice. Alan's oldest brother, Roger, and his family came from Perry and then his brother, Brian, came later, with his wife, Heidi. We ate lunch after church---taking over Grandma's & Grandpa's house for nearly the whole day!
If they wanted to get a nap in they were out of luck! Max played with his cousins and Aunt Heidi and Uncle Brian. Lilly loved rolling in the grass with everybody. She looked for bugs with Aunt Heidi. Max built a temple, with Grandma, out of blocks (and destroyed said temple.)
We toured and sniffed the roses in Grandma Barbara's garden. Lilly found a puddle to wade in, though she had tights and sunday shoes on AND had been told NOT to! We went home for naps around 2:00 and came back at 6:00 for dinner. Each of the sons rotate coming to their Mom's & Dad's house for Sunday dinner. It happened to be our turn this Sunday. Brian and Heidi came back because they love coming when it is our turn because they look up to us and think we are ultra cool. (:
I love these traditions. I moved so much growing up and never had family around. My kids love going to their grandparents house. Lilly loves Grandpa! We usually always go on a walk around the block while the kids ride their bikes. This time, Alan and his Mom sat on the grass, under a tree, at the church building, just chatting, while Max zoomed around the empty parking lot. I spent my time helping Lilly master the tricycle (although, the only picture I snapped was of Alan helping Lil on the trike!). She loved going down the hilly sidewalks. That momentum helped her figure it all out.
We feel so lucky to have such a close knit family that tries to get together often. AND we all like each other! I'm not joking when I say that I am the most "controversial" member of the family. I'm more hot-headed and passionate than any of them...but, they have never made me feel like an outsider. We've never had one family squabble. No arguments. No problems. That is saying something with 6 brothers and 6 sister-in-laws! It is truly a testament to Graeme and Barbara. They raised 6 incredible boys! I'm so lucky to have gotten one of them!!!