Mother's Day Surprise!

 In May, I flew out to DC to surprise Lauryn for her 8th birthday, which happened to be Mother's Day and the day she was being baptized.  She had no idea I was coming!  Ayden had found out before I arrived, but he kept the secret!!!  It was a great way to spend Mother's Day weekend!  A bittersweet one, though, because I knew it was the last time I would visit them there.  I have loved my trips back to the east coast.......will really miss those adventues....

Baseball games were scheduled the entire weekend (well, not on Mother's Day) but Saturday was a triple header with all three kids playing.  We managed to get to 2 of the games and then saw Meysa play on Monday!  Loved it!!!

 Papa Chip and Lauryn found balls in the underbrush.....

  Then it was off to the playground! 

 

 Batter up!  Ayden has gotten really good at this game; reminds me of when Ryan was that age!  It will be fun to watch this young man grow up!

 Meysa came into her own in this game.   She had never even considered playing softball until this year and what a great little player she is!

 My last day in DC was spent on the grounds of the Washington DC temple and visitor's center.  It was a great experience and Aimee was so patient in answering all my questions!  We spent several hours there.  It is beautiful.

March Madness

 Most people would think spending a week with 4 grandkids would constitute madness.....but then they don't know mine!  They are awesome kids and so much fun!  While Ryan and Aimee had to entertain themselves in Italy, I was having an amazing week in DC with the kids.  We had the gamut of weather - snow, sunshine, rain - it kept us guessing what to take and wear!  Each of the kids got to pick out what they wanted to dinner and we ate well!  We went to the National Zoo, Ayden's concert, had pizza delivered, and broke all kinds of house rules!!  Isn't that what a grandma does??!!!  Enjoy the journey!

 Yep, woke up to snow the very first morning!

 The younger kids worked on keeping their rooms organized!

 Okay, I have a new found respect for my daughter-in-law who is SO organized and manages to get 4 lunches done and packed, a hot breakfast made for the kids and this all happens before the first one is up and in the shower!!!  I did my best and managed to have at least lunches done and breakfast started!!!  Hats off to you, Aimee!

Ayden's concert night followed by Sweet Frog!

 Wyatt chose breakfast food for dinner!  My kind of food!

 Meysa chose spaghetti for her meal......it was tasty!

 Heading out to the national zoo!  Poor Meysa got very sick on the Metro and ended up not being able to enjoy pizza that night.  (Sorry, Lauryn, I forgot to take a picture of the pizza!) We postponed the movie as well until the next night when she was better!

 Off to swim!  We spent over 2 hours at the pool! 

 Chili was Ayden's choice.......mmm good!

 Movie  and games were the standard fare each evening.

 What a lot of fun it was.......except I ended up the with same bug as Meysa had the night before I was to fly home and Ryan and Aimee had to put up with me an extra day because I was in no shape to fly!  Do this again?  You bet!!!  (well not the getting sick part!!)