Devon and the boys, met up with Brandi and Nate's family at Lagoon over the July 4th weekend. They had a blast camping and doing the amusement park. A few days later, Brandi and Nate came up to stay with us for the week.
On this trip we finally got to meet little Damien. He is such a little doll. I have never seen a baby that is sooooo happy. He just smiles and kicks his little legs up in the air. Just enjoying chilling on life.
Little Damien (with Max on guard).We had a non-stop week. Brandi got to go target shooting with her dad (their version of a "Daddy/Daughter Date"), and spend the day cooking chinese food. No complaints from us... we all loved it!
Other activities included: roasting marhsmallows out back, a trip to Willow Park Zoo, Ryan's Place Playground, Logan Aquatic Center, Caspers Ice Cream, and the Cache Valley Fun Park.
Nate & Brandi in the back yard.
Grandpa Devon & Ava lighting the campfire.
Nate, Ava, & David at the Willow Park Zoo.
Ava having a swing ride at Ryan's Place Playground.
Brandi and I got to sneak off for a few hours one day for some mother/daughter time. We roamed through the sidewalk sales on Main St. and then went to the Great Harvest Bread Company for coffee and a cinnamon bun. Yum.
On Brandi's last night here, we celebrated Shabbat and her 21st birthday, with an awesome Prime Rib dinner. Devon cooked this one to perfection!
David, Brandi, & Joshua. For "old times sake" we even made her work for one of her birthday presents with a Whitney Family treasure hunt. It was a lot of fun... combing through the house searching for clues.
Reading clues.
Searching for the next clue.
Need a flashlight for this treasure hunt!
She found it!
After gifts, it was time for cake. The multiple flavored cheese cake was a bit hit with everyone.
Damien looking like he's ready to eat cake with the grownups. Denied!
Finally, we played a game of Brandi's choice ---- SPOONS. It was crazy as we all became "every man for himself" characters... ripping spoons out of each others hands. Devon was the ultimate winner. Luckily, the spoons survived all the wrestling.
Can you feel the tension?
One of the nicest things about the week... was all the grandparent quality time. By the end of the week, Ava had finally warmed up to Grandpa Devon, no longer requiring bribes of ice cream to hang out with him.
Ava helping grandpa wash the dishes.
Luckily for Devon, Damien seems to like him from the get go. He's probably got his little baby eye on that big Jeep in the garage. He must know already that good times with grandpa lay ahead.
Grandpa Devon and Damien.
The cutest "Kodak Moment" that I did not catch on film, was seeing Devon and Ava sitting on the front porch together. It reminded me of those touching Lifesavers commercials that used to make me cry... that would end by someone singing "... Lifesavers, a part of living."
As for me, I had a blast with the two little youngsters. It was so nice to just sit and rock with Damien. He's a cuddle bunny. And Ava seems to really like spending time with me. Most mornings, I was the first person she looked for. And, that's without bribes of ice cream.
Of course, I am known now as the "cookie grandma" now. Every time they come to visit, I always stock up on special cookies just for Ava. That way she'll always feel special about coming to visit her Whitney grandparents.
