Mother's Day

For Mother's Day I got to go by myself to Spokane to spend the weekend with my sister (who came out from Mississippi) and my parents (and brother Matt's family who lives there). My parents have been living in Texas for a while now and are just now making the move more permanent. So, Amanda and I came out to help sort through all their stuff and sell almost everything they owned. We worked so hard from first thing each morning until late at night going through boxes, packing, selling stuff, and having a few laughs at all the memories. It was the first time I have ever been away from my kids, and it was lots of fun to be with Amanda and my parents. We are going to miss their beautiful home that my dad built and the property that my kids had so much fun playing on, but they are on to another adventure... Texas. This is my parents on Mother's Day. You can see where I get my constant eye closing from.

Me, Mom, and Amanda on our first ever "girls' weekend" without our families (Amanda did have her still-free-to-fly son Bowen).

After church we went to visit the grave of my wonderful Grandma Anderson, my dad's mom. She and Bailey share the middle name, Isabel. She was a nurse during WWII (where she met my dad's dad who was a Dr. there) and is buried in the veterans section of the cemetery. She died when Matt and I were dating and he met her just once. These handsome boys belong to my brother Matt and his wife Megan, who are the last remaining Washingtonians in the family (until next month when they move to ID).

I had to leave this super flattering picture of myself on here for the memory of Amanda and I being on the same flight on the way home, completely on accident. We flew from Spokane to Salt Lake together and we were glad to have one last bonding experience! It's so hard to live 24 hours drive from my only sister who I have been so close with my whole life. Thanks for the good times Amanda Sue!

Trip to Spokane

We had a great trip up to Spokane this summer. After stopping in Utah for what was supposed to be one day, we headed to Spokane with an extra car and 4 extra kids. As I mentioned in the previous post, our nephew Easton was hit by an Easton bat and spent several days at Primary Children's Hospital with swelling and bleeding on his brain (not to mention a gigantic skull fracture). While Amanda and Bob stayed behind for a day with Easton, we took the other 4 boys and headed to WA. The trip went amazingly well and quick for having that many kids, and after just a couple days delay we were all in Spokane as planned, ready for the vacation of our lives. We were in heaven just to all be together. If you're wondering why I put this bad picture of myself on my blog, it's because it's the only one we got. Nate and Bailey and the other cousins went to my parents' ward primary activity where they visited the temple (which is on the same lot as their church and only 10 minutes from my parents' house). I wanted to take a picture as this is where we were married, but Jack was already in the middle of a huge fit. So much for being reverent on the temple grounds. Anyway, my face actually will help me remember it how it really was.

One of my favorite places in the world is Riverfront Park in downtown Spokane. For some reason I just love being there. Seeing the Falls, riding the carousel, feeding the ducks, sliding down the giant Radio Flyer wagon slide (which we didn't make it to this time), eating snow cones, and most importantly. . . feeding the garbage goat. Yes, it's a goat that sucks up garbage. It never gets old.

My kids love to feed the ducks almost as much as I do. I forgot about bread and was so disappointed and prepared my kids for it, when suddenly Amanda busts out bread. I should have know. She's the ultimate big sister, never missing a thing.

We had such a blast with our cousins. Most of our time was spent sitting outside on my parents' or Trevor's (my little bro) property just enjoying being together and letting the kids play. It really was the best time. I can't wait till we all get together next.