Weekend Madness

Last weekend, we had more cousin time!  Izzy, Collin and Jackson came to stay a couple days while Ryan and Jennie were on a drill trip with Lexie.  We had all kinds of fun.  There wasn't much time, so we had to pack it all in.

Friday night, a bunch of other cousins joined us for games, prank calling and playing outside in the spring weather.  The King cousins heard the commotion from way over at the school and came to join in.  It was a full house, just how we like it.

Saturday, Tizzy and I explored the upper Avenues while Araceli and some friends went to the mummy exhibit at the Leonardo.  Araceli's thing is mummies, and it took us until the last day of the exhibit to finally get her there.  I'm glad she didn't miss it.  Afterwards, I told them to walk up 4th South to Wendy's, and the three girls got lost and pestered by a young druggie.  Oops.  Let's not tell the other girls' parents that I encouraged this urban adventure.

While all this was happening, Scott had taken Ptolemy, Freestone and Collin to Park City for a "Boys Trip."  They couldn't convince Jackson to go.  I even offered to drive him up later that night, and he refused.  He chose "stay home with you" over anything else I suggested, which was fun.  He'd come upstairs from his video game and talk my ear off until I suggested going anywhere, then he'd quickly retreat to the basement for another 20 minutes.  We had fun.

And so did Scott and the boys.  They went all over, and had plenty of treats.

Jackson posted his guess as to Golda's mission call.  He has a chromosome duplication, so he operates on a slightly different frequency than most people.  We loved having him around for the weekend.  Anyway, he found Syria on the world map and stuck a sticker on it, saying "Golda is going to go to Syria and teach those terrorists a lesson!"  Best guess ever, even if Syria isn't an option.  

Sunday at the Ranch.

Sunday was stake conference, which is s two hour meeting.  With nine kids?  I'm not that valiant.  With the boys still in PC, I took the rest to Nana's church services.  Aside from the fact that you get sacrament meeting AND Sunday School in just one hour, it was a moving experience.  The lesson was on Easter, but the real lesson was Enduring to the End.  One of the ladies gave thanks in her prayer for the strength to get ready for the meetings.  By the end, all the old folks were pretty much asleep.  I looked at the lineup of walkers and wheelchairs, and was touched by the dedication of Nana and her friends.  I was deeply inspired.

Nana came over after church and enjoyed dinner with the King fam.  Her walker is a fun ride!

Scott visited Marlene with some of the kids.  She is being brave and healing from surgery as quickly as she can.

Jackson, keeping the troops in line with his vigilance.

Well, maybe not quite keeping them in line.  Two rolls of duct tape kept them busy for quite awhile!

Scott had made a detour to Orem to pick up Golda on the way home from Park City, and I took her home Sunday night so she wouldn't have to ride Frontrunner at 5 am.  I wanted a chance to hang out in the car with her, anyway, and it was an excuse to take Tziporah and run away to Park City for the night.  It was a good choice, because there was snow along the Wasatch Front, but good weather up Provo Canyon to Heber.  Tizzy slept and I enjoyed the drive, and the ensuing peaceful evening at the Ranch.  Except for when Tizzy tried to light her My Little Pony on Fire.

Good artist!

Monday morning, not particularly early, Tizzy and I tried out a new restaurant called Good Karma.  Tizzy wanted McDonald's, but come on.  Indian for breakfast: much more exciting.  And that was a weekend that called for an exciting finish!