A post for my long-neglected blog. Why so long since the last (real) post, you ask? Well, it's really my quirkiness more than anything else. I have a tendency to put off recording great memories, because I know that once it's written down, the experience is definitely over. Unfortunately, this procrastination means that by the time I admit to myself that the good time is over, the memories are so vague that very little of the emotion and action of the event is left in my account. This recounting system tends to lead to very chronological accounts, with little personality. I'll try to repent, as I realize it doesn't work out in the long run. So, here goes, my best attempts at catching up on the good times we've had over the last few months.
At the end of February, we had our second set of visitors arrive, even before Grandma G left. I admit, I'd been anticipating this visit for over a year... before we even left Champaign. The drive to Sacramento to pick up the Evans was short and happy, in spite of a busy morning of house preparations. Joshua decided he wanted to come along, but Nathan stayed home with Grandma.
To me, the week seemed like a perfect blend of staying home and going out, although keeping the kids up late for Chuck E. Cheese might have been a bit of a mistake.
It's amazing how much more fun and quick ordinary household tasks are when they are done with a friend. Of course, Susan and I
stayed up a couple nights, far too late, catching up on the chats we've missed over the last year. We also enjoyed a session at the Oakland temple (as mentioned in the post about Grandma's visit) and the adult session of stake conference.
On our days at home we stayed busy playing Wii, sampling the tasty food at La Costa, watching Daniel learn t-ball, and making bread (amazing how much home-made bread a crowd can eat in two days). Susan surprised Dewain with her Settlers' victory, the turn before he
would have won. I must admit, I cheered loudly. Our regularly scheduled events took place as usual. We had a larger than usual Sunday dinner at the Rowe's. I'm particularly glad Susan was there to eat my portion of green beans. Alice went to work on the fruit plate with the same gusto Nathan puts into it each week. Susan took over Science Monday for me, and Daniel was fascinated with the disgusting recreation they made of a digesting stomach.
We did also get out and about. Poor Daniel and Dewain had to miss everything that happened during school/work hours, but such is life. Saturday, we all went to the Stockton Children's Museum.
The kids all had fun, and with 5 adults and 4 kids, the odds for successful wrangling were in our favor. Dewain and Bobby were fascinated by the water table, but eventually we pulled them away.
Tuesday, we headed out to sample some of the local goods... and sample we did.
We went to the Ghirardelli outlet for chocolate, the Blue Diamond visitor centor for almonds, and a road-side fruit stand for some fresh oranges. Those were some tasty oranges, yummy.
Unfortunately, the week-long vacation ended far too soon. So while Bobby caught the commuter train into Sunnyvale, the rest of us packed into the van and headed for Sacramento. That was one gloomy ride, a striking contrast from the quick and happy one the week before. Nothing like not knowing when you'll next see a good friend to put you in a sour mood. Still, it was a great visit and I'm so glad that Bobby, Susan, and Alice were able to come spend a week with us.
Old friends always welcome!
EDIT: Laughter. That's one thing I will remember from this visit. I felt both funny and free to laugh and be silly. I miss that.
Note: To see
Susan's version (posted a long while back) of these events, click
here.
Singing the vulture's song in the Jungle Book "when you're lost, in Zion..."
The younger boys have enjoyed playing in the sandbox during Daniel's t-ball games and getting out for park day. We celebrated Joshua's 4th birthday (hopefully more to come on that) and went through a round of ear infections that almost caused us to meet our annual health insurance deductible. Yuck. Overall, though, we had a pretty good month... of March. I'll probably get around to telling you about April when it's over too. Oh well, still room for blogging improvement, I guess.
It's amazing how much more fun and quick ordinary household tasks are when they are done with a friend. Of course, Susan and I 
stayed up a couple nights, far too late, catching up on the chats we've missed over the last year. We also enjoyed a session at the Oakland temple (as mentioned in the post about Grandma's visit) and the adult session of stake conference.
On our days at home we stayed busy playing Wii, sampling the tasty food at La Costa, watching Daniel learn t-ball, and making bread (amazing how much home-made bread a crowd can eat in two days). Susan surprised Dewain with her Settlers' victory, the turn before he would have won. I must admit, I cheered loudly. Our regularly scheduled events took place as usual. We had a larger than usual Sunday dinner at the Rowe's. I'm particularly glad Susan was there to eat my portion of green beans. Alice went to work on the fruit plate with the same gusto Nathan puts into it each week. Susan took over Science Monday for me, and Daniel was fascinated with the disgusting recreation they made of a digesting stomach.
The kids all had fun, and with 5 adults and 4 kids, the odds for successful wrangling were in our favor. Dewain and Bobby were fascinated by the water table, but eventually we pulled them away. 
Tuesday, we headed out to sample some of the local goods... and sample we did. 
We went to the Ghirardelli outlet for chocolate, the Blue Diamond visitor centor for almonds, and a road-side fruit stand for some fresh oranges. Those were some tasty oranges, yummy.
I was grateful for the extra help. Grandma did dishes, vacuumed floors, entertained boys and helped me get ready for our next set of visitors. Joshua loved the personal attention he got, all night long, at Chuck E Cheese. Grandma followed him around, helped him put his tokens in the machines, and explained the games. 
On Friday, Grandma, Susan, and I were able to attend the Oakland Temple, a soothing and spiritual experience as always. Saturday was a rush of fun as we went to the Stockton Children's Museum. It's a little small, but was perfect for our bunch (our Orpheum passes got us in free). We're so glad Grandma got to come visit!
If a picture (click on the image and you can see it larger) isn't worth a thousand words to you, post a question and I'll fill you in.
On Saturday, we decided to forgo yard work, cleaning house, or lazing about and head for higher ground. It was a beautiful day, aside from the ever present haze, and we've been cooped up too long. We drove over the Altamont to Mt. Diablo State Park and had a great time hiking. We stared awhile at the vultures, with their dark, iridescent wings. 
We scrambled on, over, and into sandstone rock formations. 
We forgot all about Jarom's birthday party, woops! We enjoyed a quiet hike on a less-traveled path and saw globs (a technical term) of ladybugs 
and beautiful red trees. 
All in all, it was a great way to spend the day and we in no way regretted the break from our routine.
