Wicked Weekend

My mom, my sister and I headed to Denver last weekend to visit my brother Bryan and his wife Alex, and to see WICKED!  It was AWESOME.  Hated the book, loved the play.  We left super early in the morning on Friday and were in the air as the sun came up.

Yes I took pictures out the window of the plane.  Because the light was sweet and I had nothing better to do.  And because I really am that lame.  Personally, I thought it was really cool to be watching the sunrise from above the clouds.  (I don't fly much, can you tell?  It think it's amazing.)

Alex picked us up from the airport and we headed back to her house for a yummy breakfast.  I also got the tour of their house which I haven't seen before.  In fact, I have never been to any of their houses since they've been married.  Sad, huh.  I'm hopeful that this will be the first of many visits to Denver for me. 

After breakfast we went to get pedicures.  Lovely shot of my farmer jeans, I know.

Alex had to work that afternoon so the rest of us did a little shopping and had naps, then we headed downtown for the play!

(<-- The twins)

We ate at this place downtown called Lime and they had the yummiest nachos ever.  Their chips are some sort of part-scone part-chip concoction.  I can't really describe it but they were good.

I was really impressed with downtown Denver.  It had such a cool vibe - totally alive.  And one of the cleanest downtown's I've ever seen.  (Granted I haven't seen that many.)

The play was fantastic.  Did I say that already?  I found myself grinning like a goof several times during the play.  I really wish it hadn't already come to Salt Lake - I would see it again. 

Saturday morning Mom and Marie went with Alex to her Super Saturday and Bryan and I went to meet up with Rachel and her almost-too-cute-to-be-believable family to take some photos.  Right before we left I was double-checking my camera bag and I looked up and saw this out the kitchen window:

And then of course I had that foxy song stuck in my head the whole drive there.

Anyway, back to Rachel.  She's cute. 

And she's one of those friends that I just feel completely comfortable with.  One of those friends that I go without seeing for years and then when we see each other again it's like we just chatted yesterday.  One of those friends that I wish lived much closer!  And of course even though we spent half the day chatting we didn't have nearly enough time to catch up.  But I'm so glad we at least got to visit for a while.

After we all got back together and Bryan and Alex's we headed out again and spent the rest of the day shopping and eating, in that order.  We had some pretty terrible service at Macaroni Grill but ended up getting our meals for next to nothing so I really can't complain about that.  Bryan had recorded the BYU game so we watched that when we got home.  Or - I should say - we watched as much as we could stomach.  I went to bed in the 3rd quarter.  Lame.  So lame.

We went to church with Bryan and Alex and, again, Denver didn't disappoint.  I was pretty impressed with the talks and lessons in their ward, especially the Relief Society lesson.  It was a Teachings for our Times lesson based on President Uchtdorf's talk from April's priesthood session "We Are Doing a Great Work and Cannot Come Down."  Really good talk.  Really good lesson. 

Alex made another yummy meal for dinner (brisket - so good) and then we just got to hang out and visit for another hour or so until it was time to head to the airport.  It started snowing around that time and from what I hear it hasn't stopped yet.  I think we picked the perfect weekend for this trip!  It was 75 and sunny on Friday and Saturday.

If anybody is still reading I give you a gold star.  I don't know why I felt the need to describe this weekend in such detail.  Maybe just because it was such a fun weekend and I am so sad that it is over.  Will took Friday off work so he could stay home with the girls - something Jacey was both excited and nervous about.  She was very concerned that he wouldn't know how to get her to school or how to put them down for their naps.  But he did just fine and they had a fun weekend here too.

Luckily, now it's close enough to Christmas that we still have something to look forward to. :)

My baby

Last month after Londyn's birthday I had intentions of taking her out for a photo shoot while Jacey was at school one day.  So far it hasn't happened.  But I did pull her out in the front yard before church one day just for the sake of documenting her three-year-old self. 

That last one is my current all-time favorite Londyn pic.  It is so HER.

Take a look at this -

 

That first shot remind me a lot of this one, taken on the same spot 2 years earlier.  Looking at these two pictures side-by-side is when I realized that Londyn is a kid.  Not a baby.  Not a toddler.  She's a kid.  I had the same experience with Jacey when I snapped this pic:

Actually I think Jacey's quite a bit younger here than Londyn is now.  But I very distinctly remember looking at this picture and seeing a kid where my baby had been. 

And now it's happened again with my baby-baby.  

For the most part I am really enjoying my kids' ages right now.  I love that they are pretty independent - they can dress themselves and brush their own teeth - that sort of thing, but that they still want me to kiss ouchies and snuggle before bed.  I love that they both nap in the afternoon but if I decide to let them skip naps they don't get too cranky if they miss one.  I love that they love to play together and get along well most of the time.  I love the funny things they say and do.  I love that they tell me they love me.

But sometimes, I miss my babies.

Overheard

Jacey to Londyn, playing in their room:

"Let's pretend that there's too many people at our company and we have to lay off some of the workers and you and I will be laid off."

(Sing-songy celebration voices)

"We're getting LAID OFF!  We're getting LAID OFF!"

At least they have positive attitudes.

Grandparents

This weekend I had the rare privilege of spending an afternoon with all four of my grandparents.  This is something that has only happened at weddings and mission farewells in the past, so to be together for no good reason on a random October weekend was a pleasant surprise. 

These four people are a few of the most positive influences in my life.  Simply stated, they are just good people.

Lucky.  Blessed.