Long Weekend Visit...

My mom's visits are never long enough - but I'll take her as long as I can get her. I have my mom come out to hang out and spend time with the kids, I have my dad come out to help me build and work on projects. That's why they don't come out together!

This visit was consumed for the most part with Halloween fun. Parades, class parties, neighborhood parties, trick-or-treating and then of course the recovery from all the fun (and sugar).

My mom would've been happy sitting on the porch, basking in the warm afternoon sun. But no one has time for that! We had walks to go on, games to play, parks to visit and movies to see. (We really enjoyed Inside Out at the dollar theater.)








She is easy to have around, Steve gets along with her well and we never tire of joking around together. I'm convinced she needs to spend winters here and summers in Idaho - unfortunately her job gets in the way of that. Which is why we enjoy her when we get her. And luckily we'll have a baby joining us early next year which is a great excuse for another visit.

Love you mom.

Carousel for Missoula

The Missoula Carousel is a must every time I'm in town. I'm not a fan of carousels in general, just this particular one. My grandma took a special interest in this carousel (which has a unique story of how it came to be) when it was being built in 1995 and every time we went to visit her, she would tell us about the different ponies they added and we'd go for a quick ride. It became a sentimental experience. It still is...and I'm passing on the tradition.


Last time I was in town we took grandma for a ride, she sat proudly in the chariot with my mom and we all nervously watched as the carousel picked up speed!



But this is more than a kid's carousel, it's a competition for all who ride. There's a dragon named "Lucky" and he dispenses rings which people on the outer edge of the carousel reach for as they go round and round. The very last ring is a gold ring and whoever grabs the gold ring gets a free ride. Adults and children alike reach out with excitement in hopes they'll be the one to hold the gold ring.

Hallie tried and tried and a few times she barely missed it. She had fun regardless.


We had to pry the kids off those horses and they rode many times!

Each horse is "adopted" by a family and they help design the horse. In the gift shop after our rides I was wanting to buy an ornament. They only had three horses and I didn't like any of them. I shared that with the lady working the counter and she expressed how expensive it was to carry a larger selection. I pulled Hallie over to help pick the ornament and she landed on "Silver" pony. As soon as she picked it, the lady beamed. It was her adopted horse and she shared the details of the horse that included her kids initials and grandkids names. I quickly put my foot in my mouth. Of course it was her horse after I just finished saying that I didn't care for any of the options. Just my luck!


There's a park right next to the carousel called "Dragon Hollow". Along the perimeter of the park is a fence with names carved into each slat of people who donated to build the park. I told you my grandma was a big fan of the carousel and my grandpa's name is proudly displayed in his memory.



I'm pretty sure Hallie was just as excited about the carousel as I was. It's magical. It always has been and probably always will be.

97 years is a long time to live...

Three years ago, I made a trip to Montana and said a tearful goodbye to my then 94-year-old grandma. She had lived a long life and her health was starting to decline. She was 94 after all. She's had a few scares over the last three years, but she's still living.

My mom decided to go visit her last weekend and several of my siblings decided to join her for the visit. I made arrangements to fly up as well and I took Hallie with me. Hallie is our only child who has met my Grandma Lola. She was just a little girl last time she was there and Steve and I figured this might be her only memory of her great grandma. So we had a girl's weekend and loved every minute.

My grandma's condition was significantly worse than the last time I saw her. She didn't remember me, or hardly anything for that matter but she still joked around with me a bit. I kept my eye on Hallie as we sat and visited with her - I was curious as to what was going through her mind. Hallie has prayed for Grandma Lola for years without really ever knowing her and now she would have a face with that name. She hasn't spent hardly any time around aging people and I could tell there were times she was a little uncomfortable, but then there were a few times even I was uncomfortable.

There is something tender about knowing someone's time is short. It makes you hold on to every conversation, every giggle, every look and hug just a little bit differently. And who knows - she may live another 3 years - but my heart tells me that's probably not the case. 97 years is a long time to live and she's lived it well.


My grandma no longer lives in her home (she lives with her son) but we took Hallie to see my grandma's house. We walked up the gulch and explored the mountain and walked through her home which sadly no longer feels like her home with my cousin living in it.




My siblings brought their families which was heaven for Hallie to spend a weekend with her cousins. We rented a rustic home/cabin right on the river near my grandma's house which totally beat renting several hotel rooms.

The view from our porch wasn't anything to complain about and the fall colors were exactly what someone from Arizona longs for.




We did meet a nice fat spider which we kindly disposed of as well as the mouse that was in the kitchen. Rustic living at it's finest.



Each day I spent some time with my mom and grandma and the rest of the time we were exploring, or seeing other family members in Montana. We hiked the "M" behind the University of Montana's campus. The website described it as 3/4 mile, 11 switchbacks, and a 620 feet elevation gain. Seemed simple enough - but it was a serious workout. Those switchbacks were steep but the view was beautiful.







The weekend was great. It was nostalgic. Yet it seemed to offer some closure - in the event it was my last time seeing her sweet face and hearing her silly giggle and hugging her warm body. My goodbye three years ago seemed much harder than this one. Perhaps because I see her deteriorating and know it's probably time and that's okay. Part of me is trying to figure out how to get my whole family up there so she can meet each one of my kids and part of me realizes the next time I'm there will probably be in her memory and honor. I'm at peace either way. Love that sweet woman and the daughter she raised to be my mother.

Grandma's visit...

I mentioned my mom made a visit. She came to lend a helping hand for a few days while Steve was gone and she got more than she bargained for with sick kids. Luckily, we were able to squeeze some fun things in before we sent her on her way.

We braved Ikea with two small kids. Not ideal but we both walked away happy with our purchases.

She joined us for the block party.

We went to the science museum one afternoon where the kids were anxious to show her their favorite exhibit: Forces of nature. You stand on a small stage and experience every type of weather - including hurricanes and tornadoes. Cannon wasn't sure about the rain falling from the ceiling or the extreme heat blasting in his face.








In between kids throwing up and just not feeling well - we were hanging around the house with our plans cancelled for the day. We made the best of it - she hemmed Steve's new suit pants and we were able to crank out a full batch of Salsa.


She played duet after duet with Hallie on the piano and read books with the kids. She taught them games. We stayed up way too late talking and laughing. We even made it to Mesa Frozen Yogurt (a family favorite). She let me sleep in when I was up all night with Bennett. She helped me rearrange bedroom furniture and watched while I put together my Ikea pieces. We sat outside and enjoyed the warm weather. We went shopping one morning without kids thanks to my sister-in-law.

Despite the sickness - we had a good time. I'm not sure who's more grateful for her help, me or Steve. It's always easier on Steve knowing that I've got help when he's away for such long periods of time. I'm grateful for her willingness to be here with us. The kids love it. I love it and I'm reminded of the amazing lady that she is.










Thanks again mom. Love you.

Grandma's Visit...

Everything is better when my mom comes to visit. I typically get her for long periods of time but this was a short trip. Steve was out of town for a while and she came at the tail end and offered relief. Much needed relief.

We were able to go to the Phoenix Temple open house just as she arrived in town. I was without kids which made the whole experience much quieter and less sticky! Loved being there with my mom.

The kids were beyond excited to see her and one of their first requests was time at the piano. Hunter is now getting in on the fun and is probably just about ready for lessons.


We went shopping here and there, she helped me with some sewing for the Halloween costumes, we rode bikes and went to the state fair. We cleaned the kitchen and dirtied the kitchen, and cleaned and dirtied. I showed her how to make my delicious potato knot rolls which we reluctantly taste tested over and over again. We made Cannon's first birthday cake which he more or less turned up his nose at.

She was able to attend the primary program at our church in which the kids nailed their parts and Hallie did awesome on her solo. All things that grandmas love to see.

Hallie had her birthday during the visit which meant birthday decorations, birthday lunch, class treats and we snuck a trip in to Last Chance!






I adore this woman on so many levels and yet we are so different. I like big productions, details and cutesy and my mom...she doesn't. I like to poke fun at her for the one Halloween decoration we had in the house growing up. Those that have seen my house at Halloween will know that I'm on the opposite side of the spectrum. Its just not her thing so I have to laugh when she comes to visit and I wonder what she thinks when she sees me putting up a photo background and baking and decorating a cake for a one year old photoshoot. I'm sure she was rolling her eyes at me as I hand painted the lego costumes while we enjoyed an episode of Gilmore Girls late at night. But even though she thinks I'm crazy at times, she still steps in and helps me out. Thats the best type of friend to have!


I hate that we live so far away!