We got in so late Saturday night (landed around 11, and then picking up the rental car and driving to Perry Hall, we didn't get in until 1 am or so)--Aunt Donna was so nice to wait up for us and get us settled in the guest rooms. The boys slept in the cutest grand baby room with bunk beds and tons of toys. The next morning Pace came out and said, "Mom? The thing I hate about that room? All. The. DOLLS!!" (on "Dolls", he started shaking and threw his head back and shouted...very dramatically...) Max woke up and said he needed to go back out to the red van (where he remembered falling asleep the night before). We went to church in the morning and afterward hung out at Mom Mom and Dad Dad's checking out all their cool toys until suppertime. The boys loved all the coin banks
I love that my grandparent's front room is full of their favorite things. My grandmother's side has photos of her children, grandchildren, and great-grand-children, pictures of Christ. My grandfather's side is full of blacksmithing pictures and figures. In the middle are the banks and things from the Dominican Republic and other Caribbean Islands they've loved going to.
Mom Mom asked Dad Dad to make his representation of the Iron Rod leading to the tree from Lehi's dream. He carved rock for the tree and attached an iron rod and painted brass buttons white for the fruit.
Mom Mom telling me about trying to wind her way through putting genealogy online with the new website. It's a little frustrating because anyone else linked to a certain line can make changes to how it was originally posted.
Some after-church photos
These aren't the best family photos, but I think the boys' faces are hilarious...they're keepers!
Sunday was Mother's Day, so it was super fun to be visiting with both my mom and grandma! This was the same way we lined up when I got married.
Dad Dad saying he doesn't smile and Mom Mom's eyes looking so blue and beautiful and sparkly
Some fun candid shots, Dad Dad telling me about a trip to an "adult summer camp" in Pennsylvania where they made metal mugs, locks, painted floor mats, et.
A few favorite childhood memories: driving up Schroeder Ave every summer to visit for a couple weeks and seeing the "Windy Hill Forge" sign.
My grandma has candles in all the windows. I've always loved this and always wanted to do the same when I grew up. This year--FINALLY--we got candles for all our windows we put up at the holidays! I love the warmth and the tradition dating back to Colonial times: The candle was placed in windows when a family member was away to lead them home, or as a sign of friendship and welcome to a weary traveler.
I remember one summer, as a very small and short child, trying to reach and ring this triangle. It was so far away, so much taller than me, and the bar was so heavy! It's a lot shorter and lighter now...
Pace was in heaven, seeing all the green and all the budding and blooming flowers. He told us the whole week we were there, and for about a week after getting back to Utah, that he loved Virginia and wanted to live there.
Aunt Donna made a delicious Mother's Day Feast!! It was so great to sit around the table together!
After supper we walked down through the woods (Gunpowder State Park) to the river. Of course the favorite activity was throwing rocks and sticks into the river!
David had fun with all the green stuff and flowers, too!
