We had the wonderful experience of my parents coming to visit us this month.  They came for two separate weekends, and in the middle, they made a trip down to Miami to visit my sister Heather.  We had a fantastic time!

PART 1

They arrived late on Thursday the 10th, and since the kids were already asleep, we all headed to bed.  The next morning, Lily just could not wait to wake them up to say hello, and they had fun helping her get ready for school.  It also began the tradition for Grandpa to take her to the bus stop every morning he was here :).

My favorite part, other than getting to see my parents, was that on Saturday, my parents watched the kids while Kevin and I got to go to Raleigh for the day.  We started out going to the Raleigh Temple, then to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch (I had their Red Velvet cheesecake – so good!!), and finished the day with a trip to Costco.  (Wish I had pictures.)

The kids had a blast with their grandparents while we were gone.  Between tea parties, tricks with grandpa, playing outside, and even a movie to relax with, they were set.

Derek also got to fulfill his wish to make lemonade with Grandma, although she and I did most of the work.  (I really need to buy something so I don't have to squeeze the lemons by hand.)

And of course, there was a ton of playing out in the yard :).  Grandma would play whatever silly game Derek or Lily made up, and then even did wheelbarrow races with them.  Fun times!

Derek and Lily were very sad when they left to go see my sister in Florida, but we had a busy week that went by quite fast, and so before we knew it, it was Friday and they were back for . . .

PART 2

Once again there were stories, games, tricks, playdoh, and tons of other fun stuff.  (Stuff that I do with the kids too, but is just more special when it is with Grandparents.)

On Saturday, we had some special visitors.  My mother's cousin Laurence, who is like a brother to her, drove up from South Carolina with his wife for the day.  We had a great time visiting with them, and Lily was especially happy to have more people to participate in her carnival.

And yes, I said Carnival!  A few weeks ago she got it into her head that we needed to have a carnival in our backyard, complete with prizes, games, rides, and food.  I think it started with her tearing the church bulletin up into rectangles to use for tickets.  She even had a brainstorming session where she wrote down all her ideas, and even though everything didn't work out (We don't have a ferris wheel in our yard, and we didn't end up with tater-pigs.), we all had a blast and she had a great time.

The kids weren't the only ones who had a good time with my parents.  I had so much fun with them – playing games, reading on the porch with my mom, etc.  Not to mention all the help they gave me, including watching Derek for me two days in a row for a doctor's and then a dentist's appointment.  And every time I went to the dishwasher, it was empty, as my dad kept doing the dishes :). 

Before we knew it, it was Tuesday, and it was time for them to go home.  I am so grateful that they were able to visit, for all their help, and for all the fun.  Family is such a blessing!!  Now I need to get everyone else to visit us :).