Relax!

One evening Gram and I started talking about facials. We started describing them to one another and pretty soon we both turned to putty and melted into our chairs. Mom had never had one and by the time our discussion was over, we each had appointments at the spa.

I was looking forward to this evening ALL week. Justin came home early to take the kids and we were off. No looking back.

We changed into our robes, took a gander at the sauna that would later become of use, and ended up in our personal room of Heaven. Magazines, soft music, water fountains, infused orange and cucumber water, teas, and stands of goodies.

We made our way onto the marshmallow chairs and waited one by one for each to return from our facials.

Mom and I were taking in everything about the experience while Gramma was having her turn and were in deep conversation when in walks THE FURRY CHICKEN.

Gramma's eyes looked drunk and her body swayed back and forth like she was going to drop over from relaxation but her hair said otherwise.

Mom and I couldn't hold back any longer and we let loose. In hysterics and pretty soon we had some of the gals all the way from the front desk back there joining us. Tears were streaming down our cheeks and as we got ourselves in control, we would look at Gram and start over again.

Her hair stuck straight up off her head and you could tell she went for it!

The esthetician and the other girls didn't want to leave so after a while we had them take a picture.

Why does laughing HARD feel SO good? The evening was WAY better than I ever thought it could be.

Blankets and Tea.

I loved this week. I really loved it. My Gramma came up for a visit and it was FUN-understatement! She is my only grandparent that I have left and I'm going to enjoy getting to know her. I'm going to pick her brain and try to spoil her rotten, (even though she always ends up doing most of the spoiling).

She had brought us tons of projects to do and I, being hungry to get over my aversion to the bobbin tried to learn some of her amazing sewing skills. We set up the quilt frames on the deck and went to work. In the end we had made both the boys a soft fluffy blanket and I will forever think of her when I see those two wrapped up in them. Even though those blankets ended up being my favorite blankets I had ever laid eyes on, it was not the highlight. It was a close second.

The process of making them was the actual highlight. As we tied the quilts she told me stories and we laughed and we laughed. Then I flew through the closed screen door and we...laughed. Then we laughed more and I felt my stomach turn into a firm flat object that I actually wanted Justin to touch cuz' it got a workout all week. A good workout.

Those blankets make me feel good. They are attached to amazing memories and I love them.

When Gramma comes to visit we like to do things we don't do in an ordinary day. The boys make her signs and artwork all week. They smoother her with hugs and smooches. She is the only other woman I let my husband kiss:).

When we are driving and see a place off the road we stop the car and check it out. She is always up for a hamburger from the last great hamburger stand and is always up for errand running. We play games and make grape juice and toast with avocados and tomatoes.

This last time we went to go have afternoon tea. Herbal winter mint tea with Cinnamon crunchies to dip. It was hot and delicious. I felt like we were having dessert. Kendall quietly colored and ate a pumpkin cookie and I fell in love with the little store decorated for fall, with teas that went up to the ceiling and the only way to get to some of them was a rolling library ladder. The pastries and petit fours looked so elegant in the case. There was a quiet hum and we stayed cozy while we talked and watched the leaves swirl outside in the freezing cold. A major drop in temperature that day.

For some reason when I drink a cup of hot tea it equals Gramma.

The Grasshopper Whisperer

Nathan has this habit of whistling ALL day right now. You can hear him coming. You can hear him going. He whistles every song he knows and then starts over. He even whistles to insects to tame them.

Evening

Evening sunsets faded into moonlight reflecting off the pond. Curled up in blankets and watching the flames dance off the charcoals we roasted brats and marshmallows. The fact that we forgot the chocolate didn't stop us from going into marshmallow roast overload.

All I Want For Christmas....

...is my two front teeth!

Intermission

In between the morning and afternoon session of General Conference, we loaded up the car and headed to one of our favorite spots on this earth. After a little hike that we were hoping GG could make, (and she did!) we stood on some rocks that overlooked this beautiful valley.

My Grandpa taught me that because of the way the Earth is tilted on its axis this time of year, the colors appear much more vibrant. The sky is almost a turquoise blue and the mountains are purple. The grass is a lush green and the leaves are beginning to look like a patchwork quilt. As far as the eye can see, it looks like a painting. This should not be real.


These pictures are looking to the right and then to the left. A drastic change. A green golf course progressing into scrub oak obeying the commands of autumn.

I am in awe of the details that go into anything created in nature.




We pulled over and got out of the car to observe some buffalo slowly eating and enjoying their Sunday afternoon as they rolled around in the dirt and tended to their babies.

Fill er' Up!

What I love about most this time of year is by the time October has rolled around I usually feel drained and empty and often, not this year, but often, I crash. I can't say how grateful and how much I look forward to General Conference to fill me back up.

I can literally feel my body and mind being invigorated. My faculties are enlarged and expanding. There is something healing that happens. It cultivates goodness and peace. I feel rejuvenated, rested and at the same time I have energy to go about my daily routine happily and cheerfully.

This conference was full of so many things I needed to hear. I love President Monson.

To help the boys try to focus and listen we had some buckets set up full of yummy snacks to eat. In front of each bucket we had a word. Every time the boys heard the "word" they got to eat a goodie from the bucket. Everyone paid close attention and loved when a "word" popped up.

We had our traditional fall breakfast before conference started. Pumpkin pancakes with buttermilk syrup and a pitcher full of milk. I loved sitting out on the deck and listening to the yellow and orange leaves rustle around in the trees. I'm grateful it is still warm and I'm grateful GG came to visit.

Sleeping Boy

I can't explain why I get so mesmerized when I watch my littles sleep, or Justin for that matter.

I love how Kendall can plop into a pile of clean laundry with a good book and fall fast asleep. I love how he gets tired in the car and always asks permission to take a little rest. I love how easily he transfers and how he wiggles to get extra comfy when I put his blanket over him. I love how he smiles and still has his eyes shut when you come a lay by him. I love when he wakes up and is happy with his mass of bed head flopping all over the place. I love that he still wants Justin and I to hold him while he tries to wake completely up. I love that he will still take a nap with me.

Another Tooth

It's the BIG one. Front and center and I'm sure that wiggly one next to it will pop out any day now.

I get twinge in my heart every time one of these babies come out. Just means they are growing up and there's nothing I can do to stop it.

High Tea

I LOVE a good tea party. Especially when it's done with hot chocolate and dobs of vanilla ice cream and pretty little cakes. It's one of life's simple little pleasures.