Road Trip...Part 3

Grandma's house

We spent Wednesday morning chillin' at the Flakes house. And by house I mean ranch. They have tons of land with horses and baby kitties and baby colts and baby deer... any baby everything. I love it there! We went down by the creek and let the boys be boys getting wet and throwing rocks. Emily really does have wonderful in-laws. After the baby's nap we drove up to Murray to see my cousin's, Angie, new home. She has put so much work into it and it is amazing. Scarlett got both of her top front teeth that afternoon. She was grouchy for a couple days before but WOW was she grouchy that afternoon. Anyway, Angie has the chubbiest little 5 month year old you ever saw. His chubby cheeks hold his pacifier in. We got up to my grandma's house just in time for a "girl cousin" party. We told my grandma that we wanted one a couple days before we came. We were thinking just desert and games. Of course she went way overboard and put together a whole lasagna dinner and root beer floats. It was so, so much fun to see all the girls. I spent so many summer days playing with my cousins when we were little. We made dolls, went roller blading, and listened to 7 minute Celine Dion songs. They all make me laugh and I can not believe we are growing up. We are getting married, going on missions, and producing kids like crazy. I love it!

On Thursday it poured rain like I have not seen in years. By this point both Emily and I were exhausted so we did not feel like battling rain. We sat by the back sliding door with the kids and watched it come down. My grandma made her famous waffles with homemade raspberry jam. That is the taste of my childhood. Then while the babies slept my grandma talked us into watching Weathering Heights, a perfect stormy movie. Surprisingly, it cleared up by the afternoon so we hurried out the door to the temple. It was the most perfect temperature and I could have pushed Scarlett's stroller around the grounds forever. My grandparents worked in the temple for 13 years, they retired just last month. I still can not believe they got up at 3am twice a week for 13 years. They are amazing examples to all of their family.

We left on Friday morning. Being at my grandma's house was really emotional for me this time. As I walked those halls I realized that my grandparents have lived in this house for over 30 years and raised their children there. They have grown old in that home. The decor is now so old it is back in style! I love her bathroom upstairs with the silver and teal wallpaper. Why have I never noticed how beautiful it is. Why did I never notice how retro and cute her high chair is. I am sure she fed her babies in it just like I fed Scarlett. Before we left I walked around their backyard and I felt 8 years old again. Playing in the cherry tree, picking raspberries, and sleeping on the lawn under the stars. Then all of a sudden I felt old. Where did all the time go since then. It felt just like yesterday. I am sure my grandparents feel that same way. They have seen so much life. I want so badly to have known them when they were my age. What was my grandma like with just one baby and new wife? She was beautiful and I will be able to see her like that one day. Till then I just have to enjoy every minute because life really does go by fast. As we drove away my grandparents put their arms around each other and waved good bye, just like they have always done.