Kim and Monte Come to Play

It's always a special treat when Kim and Monte come to visit! It's a big deal and we get super excited! We know it's a great sacrifice to make the journey down here from Idaho so we are truly thankful. They wanted to be here for Ella's blessing day but they surprised us and came a few days early and stayed until Tuesday! I felt especially grateful to have them around to help me set up for the little lunch we had after church, to play with my kids, make yummy food, and hang out with me when Tanner had to work all day Saturday. We were hoping Tanner could take a couple days off while his parents were in town. But instead he worked long hours and all through the weekend too.

We didn't do much except hang around at home. They took the kids for walks, went swimming, and we ate a lot of guacamole. I wanted to try and go to the San Diego Zoo because kids are free in October and I have fond memories of going there with MY grandparents when I was Rayleigh's age. But since Tanner had to work, we decided not to go. I also wanted to go out on a fun date to Laguna Beach.. but that didn't happen either! I guess they'll just have to come back! 

The other thing we tired to do on Monday was go to the Irvine Park Railroad. We were on our way when we were met with a huge cloud of smoke near where the 91 and the 241 meet. We debated whether or not we should turn around but decided to keep on going. As soon as we got to Irvine Park, they coned us off. Like, right in front of us. So we turned around and headed back home, cutting our losses. But oh no. It wasn't going to be that easy. With the high winds, this fire was raging and took over the toll road. We had to actually turn around ON the toll road and drive in the opposite direction until we could move over to the South bound toll lane. It was crazy. We took refuge at my parent's house, reassessed the situation, looked at a map, grabbed snacks, and headed back on the road. We got rerouted a bunch of times and it took a solid 2 hours in dense back road traffic to get home. My dear sweet in laws kind of hate traffic but not once did they complain. And the kids were, thankfully, perfect during the entire crazy ordeal.

Hopefully we didn't scare Kim and Monte into not coming back! We can't wait to see them again, whenever that is! I appreciate how hands are they are and how Monte really took the time to work with Rayleigh and Jack even though he had to discipline them a time or 2. I know he was doing because he loves them so much. My kids are lucky to have 2 sets of amazing, supportive, loving grandparents!

The day before Kim and Monte arrived, I had Esther come clean the house. So I took the kids to gymnastics and then we grabbed a $5 pizza and ate it at the park! Not gonna lie, I really felt like a rock star mom. Ella is so smiley these days! Especially in the morning.

Making slime after the park as a bribe to get them to leave....

Here they are, on their way!!!!!

Jack LOVES one on one attention. He will come sit and cuddle with you for hours if you have the patience to sit there. Probably 57 times a day he comes up to me, wherever I am, whatever I'm doing, and presents me with 2 cars or planes and says, "Mommy, which one? Which one Mommy?" I choose one and then he say, "Oh hi!" and we begin a pretend conversation between toy alter egos. Sometimes we race or fly around the house or in the yard. It's his favorite game. And he's my favorite 2 year old. I try my best to drop everything that I'm doing and play this game with him whenever he asks me because I know it wont last forever. But it pains me to realize that there are plenty of times when I have to turn him down. Thank goodness for grandparents!

My little table decorations for the luncheon. I added sunflowers to the vases that I spray painted purple. Kim and Monte joined the kids and me at Costco on Friday. THAT was ridiculous. But we made it out alive!!!!

"Mommy Mommy! I want a flaMANGO!" as he dashes off with my favorite dried mangos. Sadly, our beloved giant flamingo pool toy flew away during our epic wind storm (the morning of the terrible fire) Tanner put it out on social media and several people mentioned that they were cracking up on the way to work/school that morning as they saw it flying down the road! We still haven't found her! We hope she's in a better place.

Who loves baby Ella the most? Is it Rayleigh who shares all of her prized stuffed animals with her?

Parker, who plays with her and cuddles her in the hammock?

This is what happens when I try to be a nice, creative mom.... I was literally inside for 3 minutes.

Apparently we don't take enough pictures together with Kim and Monte. We loved having them visit! I love their sweetness, strength, and support. It's so good for Tanner to have his parents close, to gain insight from their perspectives, and show them all he's accomplished.

But now I have some laundry to do! We were having too much fun for me to stop and do chores!