Jenkins Come to Town

It's been a little over a year since we've seen the Jenkins. They came back to the states for Tim's brother's wedding. It was so fun to see them again and especially now that the boys are older. We mentioned their last trip here and here. It's amazing how time flies and little babies grow.

The boys did SO much more interacting this time around. Good and bad. We got a healthy dose of what to expect with two kids who have conflicting wills. But it was wonderful nonetheless. Both are big talkers and said some funny stuff. And are really outgoing--they had a ball.

  I don't think there was one moment of quiet outside of them sleeping. And Ezra would take a three hour nap every.single.day Ethan was here. So utterly wiped out.

They pretty much spent the entire week outside. A boy's paradise.

A park trip...

Downtown for farmer's market and soft serve.

Pool time.

And Tim and Kirsten were so sweet to take Ezra with them to the Discovery Museum.  So I could have a day with just baby T. The house was so quiet!

And they had way too much fun in the bath each night.

The adults hung out each night eating and drinking things we shouldn't have. Staying up way too late for being parents of little ones. We had a great time catching up on life, cooking together and playing board games.

The Jenkins are the best house guests! Our place is already back together minus the loads of laundry...but I always have that. {sheepish grin} Now if only I could sleep for a week, I'd be caught up... ;) Ezra already misses his buddy and I can tell we'll be talking about him for a looooong time.

Roseville

W had his first out-of-town work assignment this week. Three days, two nights in Roseville {northeast of Sac town}. He left late Sunday to stay with his brother, Frank, since he lives close to there. Saved him waiting up at the butt-crack of dawn to get there on time. We're a bit cheesy and don't like being away from each other all that often. If we can help it, we like to minimize our separation. 

So, we came up with the crazy idea of me driving up to join him one evening, if we could make it happen. Totally last minute. My parents are gems; they really are. I dropped Ezra off after naps and hit the road. I re-scheduled tutoring and had Kori cover dog-duty. {thank YOU again!}

Just baby T and Mama on a mini-road trip. My mom was worried that it would actually turn out to be much more of a hassle than it was worth. But it was so nice to get out of town. So nice. For one, it made me happy that I can still say "YES!" to being spontaneous even with the possibility of complete disaster. I still love road trips. The drive was beautiful, calm, and super smooth. Theo was unnaturally silent for 3/4ths of the trip and I made great time. Plus being in a hotel with my hubby still felt like vacation, even if it wasn't!

We met W for dinner at a local dive {Anchor Fish & Chips...greasy goodness!}, hung out for the evening, and had breakfast together before he went back to work. 

{Good morning, happy baby!}

Before heading back, I hit up the local Goodwill and also had my first Home Goods Store "experience". It was amazing and overwhelming at the same time. Instant A.D.D. when you walk through those double doors. I had no idea where to start with so many goodies. You definitely need a plan of attach for what you need before heading here.

My only wish was that Ezra could have joined us, but it would have been too much for him, with such a quick turnaround. Ezra and William did manage to get a Skype date yesterday evening before bedtime. We're all looking forward to having Papa back tonight!

Christmas Week Snapshots

From Christmas Eve on, we were a busy family! Somewhat ironic considering the rest of December was pretty mild mannered. Each day was booked from morning 'til evening. Christmas morning at our place, Christmas evening with my parents.Walks. Making forts. Shopping for our van. A mini-Swenson gathering {Eleven people is mini for the Swenson clan}. Swedish pancake bfast with some Swensons who stayed the night. Cleaning the house and putting decorations away. Attacking 12 loads of laundry. And attempting once again to organize our garage. That only brings us to Friday.

This is some of what I caught...

More Time With Family

We stayed with Wes and Carolyn and their three kids for our Thanksgiving trip. We always love staying with them and just hanging out.

{Theo and Caedmon, only 2.5 months apart}

E loved the fact that he could ride indoors and that both his cousins loved bikes as much as he did!

They were so kind to let us get out for the first time--just the two of us-- to the pace where we met, The Gypsy Den. We got to sip our coffee and share a cigar.

W tried to re-pay the kindness by making a Swenson tradition for breakfast: Swedish pancakes.

But in the end, we may have completely worn them out. To be fair though, they were just coming off being sick. 

Thank you W+C for amazing hospitality!

We love ya.

Weekend With Grand-Mama

E showed her his newest toy he's been playing with. Thanks, Elliot, for letting us borrow it!

He loves to open that little door!

E also showed Grandma how he helps around the house, already!!

And what a great climber he is!

The morning before the airport drop-off, we all went to feed the ducks with the leftover bread from the party.

That's E chasing the ducks after we ran out of bread.  

Then he played on a duck.

  While checking out the other ducks.

Then we added him to some more art for another photo opp {you'll see, he just fits in so perfectly}. Poor kid. He's got some odd parents. 

But he quickly saw the great advantage to this new angle...to see..the ducks!

It was waay too short of a visit with Mama Judy! We hope to go down to visit W's family very soon. So long over-due.

Good-bye, Grandma! We miss you already! But we'll see you again in less than a month.

A Whole Lotta Family

These past two weeks, we've had lots of fun family come and visit. My parents have been hosting my great-aunt, great-uncle, 2nd cousin and his two little kids all the way from Joplin, Missouri. And last weekend, W's brother Wesley and his family came into town. Everyone went over to my parents' for a big yummy dinner (courtesy Pioneer Woman's awesome recipes). We dined on blue cheese & grilled onion burgers with a side of "fancy" mac n' cheese and salad.

There was lots of playtime with the kids!

Lauren & Josiah after I said "Say Cheese!"

My great Aunt, Grandma & great Uncle


The babies were inside for awhile, playing in the "great room" as my mom calls it. I was able to capture some great action shots of the two cousins...going in for the kiss...

Muah!

Gonna have to teach that boy not be so uber friendly with everyone he meets! But he definitely loooooves his kisses!! ;)


Charis, who just turned one on Ezra's 7th month day!

Sitting with some excellent reading material

While Ezra just tossed the reading material around.

Yearning to get into mischief, outside!

Ezra did a lot more pulling up on things while she was here. Here he is trailing behind the fast moving Charis.

It was a crazy full house and lots of fun!