Matt and I often count our lucky stars, for we are some lucky ducks. We both married into good families, with good parents. I've realized, as time passes, that this whole-ness on both side is actually pretty rare. And our brothers and sisters all rock, and are pretty solid with no big issues... So what do we have to complain about, right?
Matt's parents informed us before Christmas that they were planning on coming in February to visit. Awesome! These guys took really good care of us while we lived in Boise (and in other areas, too) and we've all been missing their presence. (I spelled "presence" without help! Yay!)
They arrived on Wednesday, me and the boys meeting them at airport. Well, more like we saw Deanne (aka Nana) almost falling down the escalator with all the luggage, and seeing Darren (aka Mume) at the rental car desk. AND THEY WERE BOTH WEARING SUPER-HERO SHIRTS! Nana as Captain America, and Mume as Batman. Seriously cool.
We came home, and I finished up dinner while Mume tackled the boys on the trampoline. I was nervous about dinner, I knew it was good to mine and Matt's taste, but I realized how foolish/brave the menu was halfway through preparation.
See, Darren (aka Mume) lived in Italy for 2 years, serving a LDS mission there. And that night I was serving my homemade attempt at gnocchi, with homemade French bread, and a homemade English "blueberry fool." Very European meal to someone who actually LIVED in Europe (plus Deanne has visited Europe, too). But it all turned out great, phew! And I think they were starving anyway, so it really didn't matter. :)
Matt had no days to take off (since they were mandatorily taken during Christmas break) and Isaac had no days to take off (since he's missed too many being sick), so Darren and Deanne spent Thursday and Friday morning with me and the two little boys! They were able to eat with Isaac for lunch, once on Thursday then again on Monday, and they ended up checking Isaac out of school on Thursday for a half-day spent with them! They bravely took the 3 boys into Savannah to see a matinee, Wreck it Ralph, and I stayed home not sure what to do! So I made 2 homemade no-bake cheese cakes--keeping one for us, and one for a friend who just had a baby (her 3rd boy, haha!).
Friday morning me, Darren and Deanne, and the two little boys went "onto Post" (aka Matt's duty station) and visited Matt hard at work. No joke, his job is no joke. Busy man, I tell you! After a 30 minute visit we left to go to the PX, and looked around for a bit. Darren actually recognized someone from Boise, and we all had a good chat. This person is actually a retired high raked officer, and when Matt was in high school came and spoke to his class about Desert Storm (which we found out later from Matt).
After a few purchases Matt came and had lunch with us, then we were ALL able to head back home. I checked Isaac out of school 45 minutes before dismissal, and that's when we started to take the first half of family photos. Remember this post? That's when we took the feet shot, etc.
(Also, I think going "onto Post" was great for all of us. They were really able to see how large a military installation can be, and the scope and magnitude of the Army. And I finally visited Matt's office, with its very barren walls!)
Darren and Deanne then told us to go on a date. So we left! And went and saw The Impossible, which we really enjoyed. True story bout the '04 Tsunami, staring Ewan McGregor. (Matt and I love McGregor! He's our boy.) Darren and Deanne rented a movie for the boys, and I believe they had a really lovely evening.
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| The boys really enjoyed having a tablet for themselves. Thanks Nana and Mume for bringing your Kindle and iPad! |
Saturday morning came, and we all got ready. Ready to explore Downtown Savannah! We really had a great time, especially because of the Old Town Trolley tour. Pretty much took us all over historic Savannah... Gosh, what I beautiful place! The history is stunning. Too much to take in at once! Plus we had a really great burger--I seriously love red meat, but don't eat it too often.
We then went to Tybee Island to at least look at the ocean, and even though the wind was blowing some extra fierce cool wind that day it was fun and pretty.
That evening we were pretty spent. We fed the boys some left over mac-n-cheese, then put their tired bums to bed. Matt and Darren then left to pick up some take-in sea food, and me and Deanne set up the table. Matt and Darren came back and oh my word, some good sea food!
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| Looking at the Savannah river, seeing some pretty cool sights! |
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| Isaac's picture! They were looking at some speed boats, and Matt handed Isaac the camera to take some pictures. |
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| Isaac's picture: Trying to capture a seagull, which he did! |
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| Boys couldn't leave Nana and Mume to take a picture. |
Sunday we went to church, and I taught the lesson in Relief Society. Fun, right? Afterwards we came home and headed to a park to take the Boise State shirt pictures. Then after that we ate! Hooray for good food and good family time! When the boys went to bed, me, Darren, and Deanne caught up on 3 hours of Downton Abbey together. Great bonding time :) Matt was "busy" doing other things, poor man.
Matt's PT was cancelled the Monday morning so Darren and Deanne were able to say goodbye to Matt then. I was taking Isaac to school then, so I didn't see all the love and hugs. Must be hard for parents to let go of their child, not knowing when they'd really see him/her again, don't you think?
When I came home they took Eli and Titus to Ace Hardware to purchase something for our doors, and I was able to go on a run. Afterwards they went to see Isaac for lunch, and then came back to take me and the boys to lunch. Hello Zaxby's fried chicken. I love you. They then left and headed to the airport, leaving the warmth of coastal Georgia behind to embrace the chill of the Northwest!
Truly a great visit. None too stressful, full of family and food.
Very blessed, we are.
