Time We Cherish
Living in California, away from many of our family members in Utah, is really tough some times. Luckily, we are too far away (only a 10 hour road trip), so many of our wonderful family have come to visit us. We have been so lucky recently to have had bits of time with multiple groups of “Utah cousins” as Grace calls them, and we have truly cherished these interactions.
Last week, Tiffany and two of her daughters, Isabel and Emily, were in town for a dance convention. They were pretty busy, but we were able to meet up with them at Downtown Disney for dinner one night. It was so nice to hug family and get to chat in person. We ate and walked around a store, but then it was time to once again part ways, and Grace burst into tears. She was so distraught. Andrew held her as we walked back to the car, and I wiped her tears and complimented her on her big heart. She loves, loves, loves all of our family.
Then this week Bobby had a work trip to our neck of the woods, and his family decided to come along and spend a few days with us. It was so nice having Heidi, Cora, Parker, and Theo staying with us. We had a pool day and pizza at my parents’ home and then a cold beach day, where I had the terrible luck of getting pooped on by a seagull and stepping in a big glob of tar. Andrew and Bobby were able to go play some golf on one morning, and the kids spent hours playing together. I loved hearing the toddler laughter from upstairs as Grace, Maddy, and Theo goofed around. Parker and Andrew competed in some Xbox basketball, as the girls played games and enjoyed a watercolor paint night. And Harper was a dream baby through it all. She was smiley and happy to be with family, and Theo was able to get her to belly laugh with ease. We made some pretty spectacular memories.
The hardest part, though, is always saying goodbye. As Heidi and her kids prepared to leave, Grace got really grumpy and refused to give anyone hugs. I honestly think that she felt like if she didn’t say goodbye then they wouldn’t actually leave. As they loaded up in the car, suddenly Grace freaked out and wanted desperately to say bye. She scrambled downstairs and ran out with no shoes on before they drove away. We were able to catch them on time, and it brought me to tears to see her clutch Aunt Heidi tight in a hug that expressed how much she loved her. I’m so glad she was able to say a proper goodbye. We waved to them from our driveway as they drove off into the night, tears streaming down Grace’s face and both Grace and Maddy holding tightly to my legs.
We are so grateful for family and for the relashipwe have with them. It really is a special gift to be actual friends with our family, and I know not everyone is so lucky.
And now next week we have Jeremy and Stacey and their kids coming down to do a San Diego vacation with us for a few days. Yay for more family visits!!!! (I’ll write about that trip next time).
