Day Tres...

Once again, we awoke to this....

so our first order of business today was to go up

to Brooke and Dustin's and retrieve some warmer clothes

for the little ladies. (They had an interesting reaction to going

into their house without Mom and Dad there. Minie went

into their bedroom and said, "this is where my Dad sleeps"

and Poppy couldn't get out of there fast enough. I guess it

just doesn't seem right without Mom and Dad there!)

This errand was followed by a quick Mickey D's lunch

and a run to Wal-Mart for more sippy cups (something I

discovered I was sorely lacking). M & P may have gotten a

little surprise while there. Then it was home

for naps.

Later, Brad came with Gabi in tow to return the Jeep that

he took to the airport to get his family and all their gear.

Gabi hung out with us until Brad went and got Vanessa

and Bella who were resting after getting up at 3AM SLC time.

The girls broke out the baby dolls and were fine tuning

their mothering skills. So flippin' cute!!

We all had dinner together and Mike and Brad watched

most of the Jazz game while the girls watched a Barbie movie

and then they headed home. The girls were tired and

way, way ready for bed!

Here's a preview of what tomorrow is going

to hold. After having all 4 girls together tonight

I'm re-thinking taking M&P to graduation.

I'll see what I can do to recruit a sitter tomorrow

morning. If not, we'll just have to deal.

I think we have decided a good rule of thumb is

don't let the pre-schoolers outnumber the adults.

And with Brad walking, we will be one adult short.

I'll report how that all turns out. Until then.......

Day 2 from Highland with Love....

Waking up to snow (Yuck!!) was not what I anticipated

when I envisioned M&P staying with us in late April-early May...

so day 2 included a trip to the Aquarium with the Gregory's.

Oddly enough, we weren't the only ones to have this brilliant

idea so it was really crowded. But the kids always

love the experience.

Believe it or not...I tried to get a shot of all four cousins

together, but it was like trying to catch 4 hummingbirds

at the same time. The Aquarium visit was followed by

lunch at Burger King. Poppy was still not feeling well

and Jude was more than a little disappointed that

they didn't have the right IronMan toy so we parted

on a not-so-happy note. We are all wishing for

better weather so we can take this show outside!

And even though it was REALLY chilly, these two cutie-pies

slipped out the back door when I let Duke out so we

got a quick shot of them barefoot on the back porch.

Don't be deceived...it was really nippy!!

**on a side note....Poppy dropped my camera in Duke's water dish....

but it seems to have survived so there will be more photos to come!***

For Brooke....Day 1

Brooke has requested regular blog updates so she can

see what her girlsies are up to so.... Day 1 was

spent close to home as it was cold and Pop-tart

wasn't feeling all that great. We did venture out to

the grocery store to buy all the girls favorites and while they

napped I ran to SLC and got my hair cut. Then after

wrestling the stroller (Grrrrr) we bundled up and strolled

over to Switzler's so I could deliver some stuff to Linda

and so M & P could get a little fresh air. When we got

home we threw a log on, cuddled by the fire,

and then had some of the minestrone soup I'd made.

After a warm bath and clean jammies, we watched

Beauty and the Beast (AGAIN!) and then it was off to bed.

Pretty low key day and Poppy only asked once "where

Mommy?" and "where Daddy?". Minie was quick to answer

her with, "they on a plane and be back in some days".

These two make pretty sweet house guests!!

My First "DATE" with Jude

Kennan had yet another Dr. appointment for Greta this week, so I

asked her if I could take Jude for the day on a "date". Turns out

Jude doesn't like to call it a "date" because his girlfriend is

Greta (that's what he told me!). But lucky me got to spend most

of the day with this little charmer. We hit Mickey D's for a leisurely

lunch and then made our way to a matinee of "How to Train Your Dragon"

which Jude had already seen but I had not. He brought along all his little

action figures from the movie and I think he loved it as much the

2nd time as he did the first. We might have also made a stop at

Wal-Mart to search for the dragon he was missing from his collection

and BINGO...we found it! He helped me make dinner and hung out

for the rest of the day until Mom, Dad and Greta came down to

join us. What a great day and what a great boy!

Best smile in the world!!

I really love this little guy! And one on one time

with him is far and above the BEST... he loves the

girls but I love getting a glimpse into what he thinks

when we are one on one.

Thanks for the great day,

Judakins...let's do it again real soon!!

In addition....we were lucky enough to have Mike's 2nd

cousins, Jan Benson Lindsey and Trish Benson Andrew,

stay with us this week while they were moving Tric's daughters

out of BYU for the summer. We didn't see much of them

except in the evenings but we had a fun time staying up

late and catching up on family history and gossip with them.

Mike has great memories of spending time in the Benson's

home while on his mission back East. I think he has a

picture just like this when he was 19 and Jan and Tricia

were young girls. It was great to see them again!

Ice Cream "SUNDAY"....

Finally....it's been warm enough to take

our little gathering outside! Sunday after our meetings,

we fired up the grill, threw on some burgers and hot dogs,

added some 7-layer dip, orange fluff and Kennan's oh so

delicious potato salad and officially opened the season.

Dustin delighted us all with whipping up some

delectable homemade strawberry-banana ice cream

and these four were in heaven!

Add in the traditional Sunday stroll through the neighborhood,

and we are ready to welcome the warmth!

Bring it on, Baby!!!

FLORIDA or BUST......

Brad and Vanessa have had a trip planned to Florida to visit

Viviani for months now. Brad was in Philly on business and

they decided he would fly to Tampa and Vanessa and the girls

would meet him there. Knowing how daunting it is to get ready

for a long trip with small children, I snatched Gabi and Bella from

their Mom and gave her a few hours of free time to try to get

some things done. After a trip to WalMart to load up on little

things to entertain them on the long plane ride, we met up with the

Gregory clan for a fun afternoon of lunch at the park.

Who knew these three would arrive in

coordinating outfits? Adorable, aren't they?

Sweet girlies enjoying climbing and animal crackers!

Bella was cracking us up with her "shades". Vanessa

got them for the trip and she refused to take them off...

ALL DAY!

Here is sweet Greta being consoled by Mommy after

Bella uncharacteristically bit her on her finger.

(You never know what might prompt such a response!)

So sad....those crocodile tears!

Jude and Gabi just love each other! They play together

like champs and let's face it...Jude is a little outnumbered

but he takes it in stride.

Adorable Greta doesn't let a little thing

like "low muscle tone" slow her down!

Kennan giving Gabi a little snuggle..

These two were making their own May Pole! We stopped

for a frozen yogurt before I returned them to their Mommy.

Then I picked them up today to deliver them to the airport for

the very long flight to Tampa.

Vanessa is one brave girl...two toddlers, one checked bag

and two checked car seats, a double stroller, two rather large

carry-on bags, one small back pack, two pillows,

the girl's blankies and their two dollies!

Vanessa said to me as I helped her put the last bag on the stroller,

"I guess you are leaving".

This was the parting scene. And she was even

smiling. This girl deserves a vacation!!

Hero of the day....Vanessa!

Sure hope she arrives okay...she has a 2 hr. lay over

in Dallas. YIKES!!

For Robyn....

I have been in hot water with the Dalai Lama (our nickname

for Robyn) every since I agreed to let Kennan have our

piano. It seemed like a logical decision since Kennan is

really the only one of my kids that ever took ANY interest

in playing. WHAT WAS I THINKING?!

Robyn's boys started piano lessons and their immediate

need for a piano was weighing heavy on me.

Bad Nannie, Bad Nannie!!

I must be doing something right because Terri and

Jay may have actually redeemed me! They are

wanting to get rid of their piano and have

offered to just give it to Robyn and Co. if they

can figure a way to get it to St. George!

So here you go, my dear. These are photos of the piano

and it is sitting patiently waiting for you to come and get

it. I dare say it is probably in better shape than ours was.

Better not hesitate too long or they may change their

mind or decide to give it to someone who can relieve

them of it more quickly...and then I can't take ANY

responsibility for the consequences.

Love you all! XOXOXOXO

April Showers....

This has been the week of showers for me.

It was our GREAT pleasure to throw a baby shower

for cute Lisa and her twins!! Eileen, Holley and I

had planned a shower in March for her and then

low and behold they stuck her in the hospital for 4 weeks

to monitor Miss Ellery and that put the cabosh on our plans.

Not to be deterred, we postponed it until those sweeties arrived

safely and the little Mommy could join us for some celebrating.

Here sits beautiful Lisa with Beck and Elle's great-grandma!

Eileen and I joined efforts and made some baby bedding

for them. Robyn's friend donated the crib (thank you, Anne!).

It turned out pretty darn cute...if I do say so myself!

It was mostly family at the shower

and Eileen's home looked amazing.

Such cute details!! So glad that Diana

could be there too.

Lisa loved the Pee Pee Tee Pee's

that Paige made for Beckham.

Look how tiny those outfits are! Beckham

can probably wear his now....Elle, not so much!

And of course, Eileen whipped up some gorgeous

blankets for each of the babes. She is awesome

like that!!!

Vanessa had put together these cute baskets for

each baby with all the essentials babies need and

that Mom's never get a showers. Great idea!!

All in all it was a great success and we all just hung around

and chatted until WAY late. Can't wait for those sweeties

to get home! This has been really challenging for Lisa

and Hayden and it's only just beginning. We all love

and pray for them!

Saturday Eileen and I joined forces again for a shower

for a young lady who is marrying a neighbor boy...

this time at my house!

Liahona has been in my BYU Stake for the

past couple of years and I have worked with

her in two different presidencies so I was happy to

throw her a shower and it was a great success also.

(Sorry...I was too distracted to take any photos)

We have great neighbors that always support the young

people in the ward. But I am WAY tired this afternoon.

I have to rest up because 5AM will be here too soon...

that's when I need to be up for meetings for Sunday!

You know what they say..."no rest for the wicked!"

TTFN...

Easter Sunday at Windrush Cottage

Easter and Conference fell on the same day this year so

it was pretty laid back at our place. Mike and I got

to listen to Conference quietly and then the "locals"

made their way down from up north for some festivities.

These two adorable girls were the first to arrive

and they had a real challenge waiting for their

cousins to begin the Easter egg hunt.

The Gregory's were the next to arrive and they

brought some bubbles to keep the crowd under

control until Brad's girls could get there.

This is a fun group under any circumstance and

let's face it...Greta is adorable in her little walker!

Ummmm...check out these sandals that YaYa gave

her for her birthday. They are the envy of all the

little girls!! And Greta has a definite opinion

about who can touch her walker or wear

her sandals!

Bella and Gabi finally made it sporting the

adorable dresses Vanessa made for them

at our sewing week-end. Can you believe

all the hand made roses???

Cute, cute group!! Lots of fun just to have them

there...dinner is secondary. The company is

what makes the holiday for me. Love this

little group...let's do it again soon (minus the

health-care debate and bring on some warmer

weather!). Happy Easter Everyone!!

Wish our California and Santa Clara Cuties could

have been here. Sigh...maybe someday we will all

be together again.....

Yo Gabba Greta Turns 2 !!

It seems almost impossible that we celebrated Greta's 2nd

Birthday...I feel like we just had her 1st Birthday party last week!

This little angel's party was nothing short of amazing.

Here is the Yo Gabba Gabba group in their custom

designed party shirts! They have got some "crafty" Mom's!

And even though Greta was still recovering from that

nasty virus she had...she brought her "A Game" smile!

Adore this little sweetie!

This girl knows what to do when a camera

comes out! She never disappoints...

Minie, Gabi and Jude make up the older crowd.

They are always up for a party!

And Greta, Poppy and Bella

are the 2 and under crowd and they

are nothing short of WONDERFUL!

(Flash back two Christmas's to our card)

They will never be without playmates at family

gatherings.

Miss Pop-tart waiting for the next event!

And here is the little sweetheart enjoying her birthday

dinner. It was a grand event for a GRAND little

girl! Two years have flown by and I can't wait to

see what you have in store for us in the next

couple of years. You hold a special place in my

heart, little angel girl. So grateful you are ours!

There is no one sweeter. Happy, Happy

Birthday, Lovey!

XOXO