-I mentioned in my last post that my brother and Andrew came for a visit. While they were here I had some pictures scheduled with one my closest friends here. I didn't think it possible, but they exceeded my expectations, as usual. Now the problem is trying to figure how to hang almost every single freakin one bc I love them all so much. Thanks Mads!
-A while ago, Isla planned a 'spa' for me. She had refreshments and different services all set up-and when my family heard about it, they wanted in. So she spent the weeks leading up to this trip planning it out. She asked everyone to wear bathrobes, asked me to help out with 'fancy' snacks and the 'hair' parts, then asked Addy to do the nails. Isla herself did the facials, foot and hand rubs, and back walks. I loved seeing her plans come to life, and her awkward, proud 'try-not-to-smile' face come out so much, and how excited she was with the 'candy' she was payed with. I'm grateful my family is willing to do fun, silly things like this. We have fun...
-Even though we were inside alot more then is usual for our visits home, doing things like building trains w Tito Alvin, we still able to spend alot of time outside in our backyards, on the tire swing overlooking the cliffs, and doing giant bubbles in Lolo and Lola's beautiful big backyard.
-Theres this book called 'The Birthday Queen' and I think it was written about my Mom, and now maybe me, bc I think we share a love and excitement for planning fun little and sometimes big parties. I have so many great memories of parties she threw growing up [like an Amazing Race one with a ton of my teenage friends, or a 'You finally put your boots in the basket!' party or sock folding party, etc.'] She did it again this time with a fun family mystery party for our detective little Addy. There were clues and codes to unscramble, games like Clue Junior to play, refreshements, and of course, good old Scooby Doo to round it out. It was alot of fun and Addy hasn't stopped talking about it since.
-We happened to be there in time for us to celebrate Father's Day with our actual Dad's, so the kids made them medals, and I made my Dad a carrot cake [his favorite flavor.]
-One of the only friends I did get to see was Tarryn. We met up at the beach and I finally FINALLY got to hold baby Rowan. I'll be honest-he lived up to the hype with that ridiculous smile and expressive little hands. And I can't say enough about how nice it was to talk [and maybe commiserate] and laugh openly and honestly with a good friend. That, plus the beach, for all of us, was the reset we needed I think.
-Samantha shared with the kids one of the activities she does with the class she works with in college. They made 'oobleck' and messy played in it for quite a while. They loved it!
-They kids loved spending so much time with family, like cheerios with Grandpa, and lots and lots of fun talks and hang outs with Tita Jess. She seriously did me a huge favor by enthusiastically listening to absolutely everything they had to say and more, which gave me a bit of break haha. They loved it!
-Throughout the visit, my MIL kept us extremely well fed, both from ordering out, but more often cooking at home.. And the crazy thing is this isn't even half of the incredibly involved, delicious meals she made. She is quite the talent.
-Now that they are a bit older, the kids are FINALLY ready to use the jets in Lolo and Lola's tub. And now they never want it to stop haha.
-We got to spend quite a bit of time with Mariah and Ross and their kids as well. They set up a few nights of bonfires and roasting hot dogs and s'mores, and it was good conversation for us, and fun for the kids to run around outside. And of course, Luke and I played a whole lot of cards and caught up on other things. It was all really great.
-We got to visit a few of our favorite places via curbside, no contact pick up and it was everything we needed and more. Things like Dandelion [I will never get over that blondie], Mr & Mrs [I see you butter pecan and orange blossom] and of course, Dad's. And we finally got to check out Rosalind's brick and mortar-they avocado toast on their sourdough loaf was to die for. Plus we got to pick up some new craft chocolate to feed our obsession. All of it makes coming back to Idaho a bit tough food wise tough haha.
-Lolo and Lola outdid themselves and got some slip and slides for the backyard. My sister and her family came to join in the fun and it was a perfect outside day.
-On one of our last days we went to the beach in the early morning when it was low tide and empty. We wore masks there, but took them off when there were no one around and the starfish and crabs were the only ones there. I miss everything about the ocean-the smell, the hovering fog, the look, the sound, just all of it. It was a good morning.
-In the end the whole trip was a lot of driving, and craziness but it was completely perfect and I am so glad we went. Now we are back, experimenting with cooking [particularly sourdough bread like the rest of the world], cleaning, visiting w as many friends as possible [bc we don't have anyone here who is immunocompromised and we are in stage 3 here-plus obvious precautions like being masked up and using hand sanitizer constantly, etc] before we leave, and preparing and packing for our move.
Its been an tough 2020 so far, but and overall wonderful last 2ish years here in Boise and I don't think I'm alone in saying its been an overall good experience, which we will cherish. So now, onward and forward.
