Last Days with the Grandparents

Once we arrived home from San Diego, we just spent the last few days of Mom and Dad's visit here in Fresno. On Friday we spent the day doing laundry, sitting outside, playing in the sandbox, going for walks, just enjoying each other's company. Kezia had a tea party with Grandma and Joel went to fly his new kite with Grandpa. Kezia also had the privilege of her Grandma AND Grandpa braiding her hair. What lucky girl! That night Carl, Mom, Dad, and I played Sequence and Dad and I won. We are an amazing team, so all you game players, BEWARE!

On Saturday, Mom and I went to buy fabric so that I could start making a rag quilt for a friend (it's a surprise, so I won't name her, tee hee). It was quite fun browsing through all the fabric and finally choosing one with Mom. After we got home, Mom and Dad went grocery shopping for supper the next day. They were going to make a special supper for us on Sunday.

The next day, after church, we took some nice pictures of the kids and Mom and Dad by the fountain. We had a light lunch and then during the afternoon Mom and Dad went with Carl to pick some oranges for Mom and Dad to take home. Apparently it's possible to bring citrus back into Canada, (and later we found out that they had no problem crossing the border with their oranges).

Asha cuddled with Grandma before supper and Kezia enjoyed applying lip gloss to Grandpa's lips. Everybody needs moisturizer! Mom and Dad made a lovely meal for us; BBQ beef, platano, spanish rice, coleslaw, and pastries for dessert. We ate outside and the sun was warm and the breeze was comfortable.

That evening we all prayed before the kids went to bed and later Mom and I did a bit of quilting while Carl and Dad visited. Joel was quiet and acting strange that evening, I think because he was trying to deal with saying goodbye.
.

.
The next morning we all got up, the kids clad in their pajamas, and piled into the van. Once we got to the airport, it was hard not to cry. We had had such a great visit with Mom and Dad. The kids bonded so much with their grandparents and it was so special for us to see that. I appreciated all the support and the help that Mom and Dad gave. It was so wonderful not to have to make every meal and wash all the dishes (simply because Carl is gone writing his thesis). Having 4 adults for 3 kids was also so nice! I loved the fact that the kids wanted to do things with their grandparents and Carl and I could sit back, relax and watch and smile. And we were so appreciative of the trip to San Diego that Mom and Dad took us on.

After many hugs and kisses we had to let them go through airport security. Carl and I already spilled out tears and as Grandma and Grandpa walked away, Kezia started to whimper and Joel's eyes got misty. We watched them in line for a while and then we made our way back to our van.

Our hearts were so full. There was not one part of the visit that made us tired or bored or cramped....each and every moment was so special (and Dad we aren't just saying that because you are reading this!). We were so glad that Mom and Dad came down to spend time with us; we've never spent that much time together, just the 7 of us. They saw our life here in Fresno and we had the chance to reconnect. What a special time, a time that we will cherish forever.
.