Grandma and Grandpa Come to Visit!

At the beginning of the month, we had a super fun visit from Grandma and Grandpa Westover!  The kids were so excited and kept talking about how grandma would bump her head on their ceiling and they would bump into her on the swings.  Oh yes, they had big plans (and they were not disappointed by the way).  One of the really fun things we did while they were here was go to the Phoenix Children's Museum.  It was so cute!  The kids, and dare I say the adults? had a great time!  We got there right as it opened and headed upstairs to the grocery store!

Notice in the background of this picture, all those swim noodles hanging from the ceiling?  That's called the "Noodle Forest"  and it's as awesome as it sounds!  

Then we headed over to the kitchen to bake up some fabulous creations!

We took time to stop and smell the flowers . . .  Or pick the flowers and arrange them on a big mushroom table!

Samuel found himself in a big pickle!

Then it was on to the tricycle "car wash".

Next, we (meaning mom, dad, and the kids) took on this treehouse?  Recycling project gone awry?  Whatever it was, it was cool!

But of course one of the main highlights of the museum was the elevator!

We all had so much fun!  Thanks for taking us there grandma and grandpa!

The next day, we drove across the valley to visit everyone we know over there!  We started off with the Waltons.  We had a fantastic visit, complete with them showing us how the scorpions they caught in their backyard glow in the dark under a black light (fascinating, yet disgusting), Scottie making the kids balloon animals and flowers, brownies Pam made which were SO good, and a dozen eggs to take home with us from their chickens.  A successful visit for sure!

Then it was on to the Bawden's, Grandma and Grandpa Jensen's very good friends.  We met them at their house, which was big and beautiful, and then we headed over to their son Clyde's house to meet up with him and his brothers as they were all over there building a chicken coop.  I knew we were heading somewhere nice when we pulled off the road onto a private drive.  This house was absolutely incredible!  I couldn't take many pictures, cause I didn't want to look like a middle class weirdo, but wow!  They had a beautiful horse in their backyard, a pool, swingset. . .  you get the idea. 

After the Bawdens, we headed over to Elisa and Jonathan's house!  They too have a big, beautiful home!  We had a very fun visit with them and as we were leaving, Jeremiah gave Spencer his balloon dog he got from Pam's :)  I wish we lived closer to each other so we could see them more often!

Back at our house, there were lots of "grandpa may I" games, "flush the toilet" and "rock-a-bye-baby" games, and of course some playing of the banjo!  Also, reading time with grandpa :)

On Sunday we drove down to Midwestern to show grandma and grandpa where daddy spends so much time! :)  It really is a beautiful campus!

Sam was having an AWESOME hair day ;)

Just so you don't forget you're in Arizona . . .

The reflection pools were a big hit!

After we got home, there was some mishap with heads bonking and grandma had to put ice on her lip.  All the kids thought this was quite hilarious.

It must have been an ill-fated day because then Jeremiah was jumping off something and scratched/bruised his leg really bad.  Parker wrapped up his leg in an ace bandage, and of course Samuel could not be left out :)

After a super fun visit, grandma and grandpa had to go back home :( This is a picture of the kids blowing them kisses and they drove away (while holding the TV remote nonetheless).  Bye grandma and grandpa!!  Thank you SO much for coming!!  We made lots of fun memories!  We love you!