Granny in AZ for Easter!

*Apr 2-7

I made mention of Granny's visit in this post, but it's definitely deserving of it's own. :)

On the heels of Mokie's super quick visit, my other blessing of a grandmother came for a visit --- this one longer and spanning Easter weekend, which was great!  She was a wonderful sport... Merely days before her arrival, and at 7 weeks pregnant, the first-trimester gross-feeling blues hit me in full force.  While some might think this a terrible time for someone to pay a visit, it was actually wonderful that Granny could.  She really demands nothing, is content to read a book, and is just all-around easy company.  I was happy for her presence -- though no one was happier she was there than Nolan!

Granny is a retired librarian and a life-long lover of books.  When I was growing up, the shelves of her home were always lined with books, and I can remember tracing their covers before I could even read: hardbacks, paperbacks, big letters, small letters, all colors of the rainbow. 

As such -- Granny is a Nolan-book-reader, level: EXPERT.  And she did a lot of it over the course of the week, much to all of our listening enjoyment.

We made one trip to Barnes and Noble, where she generously picked out a number of books to give to Nolan --- some Dr. Seuss books he didn't have, as well as a book of nursery songs (for me to sing to him, she suggested).  Well, as you might guess, Nolan didn't want anything to do with ME reading him books while Granny was in our midst!  Even now as I write this (4 months later), he can tell you every one of those books, given him by his Granny!  A sweet memory and connection.

*****

We attended an Easter egg hunt at an acquaintance, Autumn's, house over in Scottsdale.  The mob of bigger kids scooped up all of the eggs, while Nolan came away with only one (despite our contributing 12 to the hunt...).  Mama thought this was kind of a bummer, but he of course didn't care.  He was amazed that his one egg had CHOCOLATE inside!

Those Ray-bans.  Couldn't you die?!

*****

 Easter morning brought our own egg hunt and goodie basket, of course!

 In true lame-mom fashion, I *tried* to limit the candy/junk.  His basket contained a bouncy ball, some new crayons, a pack of plastic dinosaurs, some stickers, and eggs filled with raisins, almonds and graham crackers (don't judge too much -- he loves those snacks!)

- Easter 2015 -

 So thankful Granny was here for it!

 Egg hunt, party of 1!  No greedy big kids to compete with here.  (I kid!  Mostly.)

 Easter a la AZ

Before Granny headed back to Lubbock, we of course had to make a visit to our library.  (I told you she did a lot of book reading this week!)  I love this photo!

*****

Granny, we look forward to our next chance to see you.  THANK YOU for making the trip to our house!  We love and miss you!

Thanksgiving in TX

*written May 2015

As I look at these photos now, I cannot believe this was the last time we saw my family.  I miss you guys!!!  We'll be there in June!  Counting the days.

With that aside --- Thanksgiving is an awesome time to go to TX.  It's not too cold, not too hot, juuust right.  And we had a wonderful time, which began with hitting up the park and the new, improved playscape.

Lauren and JT had recently returned from Athens, meaning we hadn't seen them in well over a year.  It was majorly overdue.

N wanted to go down the big blue slides, but they were really quite steep -- so guess who got to go up and escort him.

Actually it was super fun :)

More sisterly catching up came in the form of pedicures - this time with Nikye, and also Granny!

How many Penningtons does it take to make a pie?

Five.
This was the least efficient but most fun process I can think of.

We got to see Kara and David Ayaram, our dear friends from Residency, a couple of times!  We met for dinner at a steakhouse, and here we were all cracking up at the overwhelming size of Mikel's chocolate dessert.  It was enough for 6 people!

Also met up for lunch at a local chicken dive.  We are SO lucky to be able to keep in close touch with them, made especially easy with them living in Georgetown.

The day after Thanksgiving, Kara invited me to join her for a stroller strides class.  It was great -- and I had it easy, as I was sans Nolan!

Nolan and Izzy.  Sweet friends

Debby drove down from OK to spend Thanksgiving with us, and we were so glad she did.  No surprise - she is a whiz with every single kid.

DJ & Nikye -- super proud of these two.  Dedicated students, parents and employees!  They wear a lot of hats.

David was working, so Kara brought Izzy over for Thanksgiving too!
Izzy, Eliza and Nolan are breaking in the awesome street mat that Eliza got for her birthday

Lauren & JT (& Mikel)
Thanksgiving Day was an extra special day for Lauren, as it was her 25th birthday!  Loved getting to spend it with her.

Granny JoAnn

Precious friends are really a gem to find.

Eliza is the best eater I have ever seen.  I have total toddler-mom envy.

How Thanksgiving should look!

*****
Eliza has the best toys!  And Nolan wanted to use them all just like a big kid.

Pretty much every day, we have to find something to do outside of the house...  One morning, we went to see a model train exhibit in Pflugerville nearby.  The kids loved it!

The cutest fam. :)

Such a lovely Texas Fall day.

Our other time-passer?  The Wii.
Lauren's old roommate Whitney stopped by to take us all on.
By the way, I am officially an adult women in that I am suddenly horrible at all of these kids of games.  Lauren won most matches, which makes her no less of an adult - but she fully admitted to the quantity of practice time she had devoted.  And it was shameful.  (But maybe I'm still jealous that she kept winning....)

Love my Granny.

Georgetown has a beautiful square, and they held the Christmas lighting while we were there.  It was lovely to see, and Nolan was of course mesmerized.

Best we could get from a tired boy.

So pretty!

Second only to Mikel in wrestling is Uncle JT.  This game was a big hit, and JT is a great sport.

Cousins!

Love this.  Do you spy Nolan's massive bear lovey?  

Nikey found this beautiful dollhouse for a steal, and the kids had so much fun playing with it together.

Love her hot air balloons.

Sweet girl.

The best kind of mess there is! (and monkey see, monkey do)

***
Finally, on our last day just an hour before heading to the airport, we all convened at Rabb park -- the BEST park!

Two of my favorite guys ever.

....And another.

It was windy!

Oh man, I can't wait to get these two back together again!

Airplane nap time.

And headed home.

Thanks for having us, Mom and Dad!  Still thankful for this Thanksgiving.