While we were out: Dixon edition

I got to go to girls camp because my parents kindly flew up to watch the kids.  Garry worked during the day and came home at night, but Granny and Gramps provided the daily entertainment (and containment).  It was a huge blessing that they "accidentally" got a van as their rental car, so they could haul the kids around and I could drive a bunch of girls to camp without borrowing someone else's vehicle.  Anyway, the grandparents and the grandkids had lots of fun while I was gone, including...

Adventures at Costco.

Hiking in Garden of the Gods.

Playing at Focus on the Family.

Visiting Fox Run Park.

Checking out the Air Force Academy and the B-52 plane.

Driving to the top of Pikes Peak.

Watching the boys play baseball.

And just hanging out.

Outings with the kids intimidate me, so I am very happy that they got to enjoy things around town with their grandparents!  I am also thrilled for my dad's help and generosity in installing a beautiful light fixture above the kitchen table.

Since we rearranged our furniture in March 2012, we have been eating in the dark. Let there be light!  It makes me happy every day.

Granny to the rescue (again)

A few months ago, my parents and I made plans for my mom to fly out and spend some time with us.  We had a United Airlines voucher that expired in September and had no place to go.  So Granny cashed it in and booked a flight for November 9.  Little did we know back then that I'd be having kidney stone surgery on November 9!  The timing was pretty crazy, but once again, she came to our rescue and helped out a lot at home while I was recovering.

We did manage to do a few fun things while my mom was visiting.  On Saturday she and I sang in a multi-stake choir and heard Sheri Dew speak.  Then we enjoyed lunch with a few friends.  It was a fun way to spend a morning, but I was still pretty drugged and a little sore.  I'm glad we made it work, though!  I took a really long nap that afternoon.

On Monday my mom took me shopping.  We enjoyed a fun day together.  I normally hate the mall and clothes shopping, but she turned it into an adventure.  I felt a little bit of the real me start to poke through, and that was great.  On Tuesday she helped me and the other Young Women leaders set up for and execute Evening of Excellence for our girls. She also babysat while I managed routine, real-life stuff, like taking kids for hair cuts and dentist appointments.

The kids were happy to have Granny around to play games and hang out.  They were thrilled with the winter hats she brought them, and Don't Eat Pete (with peanut butter m&ms) might have been the highlight of the visit.  That silly little game is a great tradition with Granny.  She also treated the family to dinner Saturday and lunch Wednesday.  She spoiled us all!

It was hard to say goodbye on Wednesday afternoon.  It seemed that five days flew by!  I was halfway comatose for much of the visit (and only took two lame pictures), but I'm so grateful for all Granny did for us while she was here!  Hopefully her next trip to Colorado Springs won't have to be a rescue mission!

One cool Granny

When I saw these adorable items on my cute mother's blog,
I had to spread the word.
You can have your very own handmade burp cloths and bibs
(see the tempting selection of fabrics, plus darling photos of my nieces)
by visiting Clodhopper's Corner.

My mom is so talented. And I think I'm in love with printed corduroy!

Granny to the rescue

Our week was made better and brighter with the presence of my dear mother (a.k.a. Granny).

I joked with my dad that I got a taste of what it would be like to have a live-in maid/nanny. I was only kidding a little bit. Granny seriously worked like the Energizer Bunny to transform our long-neglected house (bathrooms and laundry and ironing, oh my!), entertain the kids, feed the family, tend to the yard (summer blooms out, tulip bulbs in, leaves raked, porches swept), and make sure the upcoming Ninth Ward Halloween Carnival (yes, I'm in charge) will happen according to plan next Tuesday.


While she labored diligently, I napped and read and watched TV and generally lazed about. The best part is, Granny never made me feel guilty about it. She and Gavin got to know each other and he finally considered her a friend with his one-armed salute. Zachary and Tyler got fun bedtime stories every night, had 15 library books read to them, and got fun Halloween treats from the stash in Granny's suitcase. Zach also got to take two dozen birthday cupcakes to share with his classmates because Granny stayed up late Sunday night to finish them.

In short, our barely-functioning household got a huge, giant lift this week. And now that she's gone, it has a huge, giant void. But we're so glad she came.

Thanks a million, Granny. We miss you already.