A City Life For Me

We have been having a great time in Minnesota so far.   We drove in on Tuesday from Eau Claire, WI.   Since it was a short drive, and we didn’t have any plans until the Tuesday evening service, we stopped for a few hours at the Mall of America.   I’m not so much of a retail shopper anymore, so I wasn’t that greatly impressed.   It was four stories tall, and HUGE.   But many of the stores had multiple locations, so it wasn’t like there were that many unique stores.   I also didn’t have any money to spend, so that probably cut down on my first impression.   J    My kids, however, had a blast.   Not at first…when we were just walking around.   They kept eyeing the amusement park.   The seven acre amusement park inside the mall.   The Log Chute water ride was right next to the food court.   They were green eyed with envy.   Little did they know what was in store...   My grandparents had given...

While we were in Oklahoma visiting my Grams and having a deputation meeting, we had time for a special activity.  I hadn't been through Muskogee since I was on my way to Virginia Beach, VA with Ben after our honeymoon.  We saw Grams and Gramps at a family reunion in June, 2010, and introduced them to Elaine.  My Gramps went home to be with the Lord in August, 2010, just after we moved to NYC. Gramps was the first grandparent I have lost.  (I feel very thankful for this - that I have had so much time with all of my grandparents and that they are relatively healthy).  Though Grams had sent pictures of the gravestone, I wanted to see it in person. I guessed it seemed appropriate that it was raining when we made our trip to the cemetery.  Grams changed out the flowers for Easter, and we got to explain to the kids that Gramps is in heaven.   

Random Happenings from our time with my parents in Denver He calls her "Red"; she loves to cuddle with Grandpa Holding "Rosie" the tarantula at the Butterfly Pavilion! I was so proud of Nolan!  He usually isn't very brave, but it helped that Elaine went first! We had lunch at Fogo de Chao, a Brazilian Steakhouse, with my grandparents, parents, and brother Wesley.  My grandparents are getting more obviously old, but we had a good time!  I ate so much that even being pregnant, it was my one and only meal that day. Sadie was jealous of all the attention the kiddos stole from her...and her spot in the chair! Storytime with Grandma Nolan isn't stuck...just enjoying nice weather in the park! She was asleep like this...for I don't know how long.  Ouch! Haircuts at Grandpas barber.  Nehemiah did so good!  (He hates haircuts and the shower that always follows them) Nolan Liberty was Grandma's office helper...and she hel...

We had a really fun visit with my grandparents, Don & MaryLou Paul.   The kids were in rare {and maybe even perfect } form.   They talked, interacted, snuggled, and even used good manners.   We even had a good giggle after dinner when Elaine and Nolan discovered that “Old Grandpa” can take his eye out.   It was about 58 years ago that Grandpa lost his right eye.   He has had a glass eye ever since.   I’ve heard the stories of him placing his eye underneath a coffee cup to scare someone.   I’ve seen him take it out a few times in my growing up years.   But it’s pretty funny to watch your own kids learn that Great-Grandpa isn’t teasing – he really can take out his eye!       I suppose the situation is made more unique by the fact that in 2010 my Grandma also lost her right eye.   She had gone through several cornea transplants which were not effective, and in the end they decided to remove the eye.   It w...

Last Sunday we were in Grand Junction, CO.  Though I was raised in the Denver suburbs, I don't think I have ever been on the other side of the mountains (the western slope) except when we went to Durango and Four Corners on a family vacation.  I don't remember noticing the beautiful mesas and colors in the mountains and rock formations.  I couldn't get over how lovely this area of Colorado is!  It helped that the weather was nice and mild and there was no snow on the ground! When we pulled into the church the kids immediately spotted the playground.  They enjoyed playing outside for the first time in weeks.  It has either been snowing, freezing cold/windy, or we have been sick since leaving NYC on Jan. 31st. On Monday we took a leisurely drive through Colorado National Monument before heading back to Denver.  It is the first National monument/park established in the state of Colorado.  Each bend of the road brought more breathtaking sights....