Family Time

My cup runneth over.  I really love all the time I have had with family.

Yesterday morning we hung around our house, just enjoying the happy chaos of a three year old.  She, however, wanted to make ice burritos.

Do you know how to make ice burritos?  (If so, leave the recipe in the comments.) None of us knew and that did not stop the little queen from wanting them.

It had something to do with the little sheets of ice we had brought home from our walk the previous day.  I had put them in the freezer for safe keeping.  I didn't know how to make them into burritos, but we pulled them out and talked about thawing.  We put them in front of a space heater and accelerated the process.  Then we talked about steam.  I got a pot of water going on the stove and we watched the steam and dropped the ice sheets in and observed.

Braeden said, "This is what happens when your nana is a third grade teacher."

It was a good time.  There is nothing happier than a cute girl cheering the ice on as it melts. 

The boys and QE went to visit my parents, Adam was involved in bishop stuff (he is a hero in more ways than I can count) and Hannah came over to visit me.  We sat in our grandparents' house and talked about them and how they made us feel.  We talked about the cousin bond we feel and how the Gospel of Jesus Christ buoys us up.  She is such a good girl.  She gave me a book and I gave her the book I'd brought for her.

After that I went on a walk with my sisters.  We took turns telling our thing that was troubling us and when I am with those two, I feel like whatever my thing is, it is going to be OK.

My sisters told me that our aunt Mary was coming to surprise my mom.  We hung out a little to see her.  She came in with all her native cheer, calling, "Ho Ho Ho!"

My mom said, "What are you doing here?"

Mary said, "Visiting you!  What do you think I'm doing here?"

Mary and Steve had brought lunch and four Tupperware containers full of homemade cookies and candy.  She kept passing and passing them around.  I love that one time my mom told me that Mary is generous like their father that died before I remember him.  I collect tidbits about him and save them in my heart, trying to create a picture of the grandpa I never knew.

We visited awhile and then went home for lunch.  Later in the afternoon, Mary and Steve stopped by to see us and to see our house.  It was nice to visit more with them and catch up on their family.

Olivia had effectively charmed QE and she asked if we could go visit Ciocia (which is what our kids call Olivia).  We went over and Olivia had assembled toys and activities and sat on the floor and got busy entertaining QE.  She's like Mary Poppins if Mary Poppins didn't make you tidy up or take your medicine (with or without a spoonful for sugar). It was fun to watch.  

After dinner, Marianne, Robert, Clarissa and her boyfriend, Cristian, Hyrum, Olivia, Edgar, Lili and Josh all came over.  We played bank and passed around treats to eat.  We all hugged good-bye because we are leaving this morning.  Marianne and I hugged and realized we wouldn't see each other until after her mission and hugged again, tighter this time.

I hugged Robert and told him he and Marianne were the perfect eldest children to lead two families.  I'm grateful for those two!

Today Mark and I will head to Utah and Adam will go to California to accompany Braeden and QE back home.  He will fly back to Utah tomorrow.  I told him yesterday, "I'm worried about New Year's Eve with our kids without the fun parent there...."

I guess he saw my point because he checked into changing his ticket.  I told him we'd be fine.  They're used to their not all that fun mother!

I feel like this Christmas break is zooming by and I am disheartened when I remember that the second week back to school is another chemo week.  I am grateful to have this little pocket of happy days in my memory.  

Happiness, thy name is family time.