Keep 'em coming

One visitor after another... I love it! A lot of people say, "Oh, we don't want to be a bother." My response, "Are you KIDDING?!" I love when people come see our world. And I've decided, back to back company is actually more easy than it sounds... everything is already clean!

So, the weekend with Papa and Gee finished great. Saturday night we went to an authentic Mexican restaurant, Lindo Michocan. On the menu is a name of a city in Mexico that if properly said on the first try to your waiter you get free churros. I gave it a shot and the waiter said that I got it right on. (I've always felt that I should be fluent... I would love to live where I'd have to use it.) Sunday was nice. We laid low and watched conference, or as much as you can in a warm room with a comfy couch and two boisterous kids!!! Monday Papa and Gee left early and the kids and I went on a bike ride. I pulled the kids behind me in the trailer. It was a tough ride pulling about 100 lbs. for 7.5 miles. Nothing east to west is flat around us so as I was coming west and struggling to keep my rear in the saddle I shouted back at the kids to cheer me on. "Go mommy, Go mommy!!!" (Livi had fallen asleep at this point, Aaron was great.) We got home and barely had time to get ready to pick up Natalie from the airport. Natalie Cabezud is a friend of mine since we were 3 years old. We don't get to talk very often and see eachother even less, but when we get together I always have a great time. This trip didn't disappoint.

 

Originally Bill was going to be in town but then was to be out on assignment, then, he was pushed back so he was in fact home for Natalie's stay. The kids were so excited to have her come. Olivia kept telling Aaron, "You know Natalie. She's mom's really tall friend, taller than Daddy. Her mom is Pat and her dad Frank took you down the lazy river... remember?" (Boy, we'd better remember, 'cause her memory is razor sharp!)

After picking her up we ate lunch back at the house and then attempted the park. Unfortunately we were invaded by about 40 youth from the YMCA due to spring break so we retreated into the library. It was nice having an extra set of eyes and hands to help with the kids. The kids had a blast with Natalie at the grocery store. She ran them up and down the aisles with the shopping cart. At one point I could hear them screaming from the extreme opposite corner of the store! 

Tuesday was great weather so we took advantage of it and headed out to Red Rock Canyon. It has been quite a while since we last went and it was wonderful to be back. I think it was the most perfect weather we have ever had there. It was a bit more crowded than usual, due to spring break once again, but we were able to find our spots and enjoy our explorations and picnic. In true Aaron fashion he lay down every chance he got and of course wanted to be carried. It was great being able to share a special place with a very special friend.

Wednesday, we did the "tourist" thing and went down to the strip. When Natalie and I had come down in October of 2007 I bought some name art for the kids down on the strip and Natalie wanted to get one for her brand new baby nephew. No luck finding the art but we did have an awesome time at the Belagio. This was our first time seeing the conservatory inside the Belagio, having gelato there, and the kids first time seeing the water fountains out front. 

The conservatory was incredible! My mom would have been in heaven... tulips were

EVERYWHERE! I didn't even know that tulips could look the way they did. All kinds of flowers, water art, a butterfly house... so wonderful. We noticed it as soon as we walked through the doors; instead of the normal hotel/casino smell of stale air and smoke, the aroma of pollen almost knocked you over. I could've stayed there all day long.

The kids and I shared a strawberry gelato dessert (the chocolate fountain is real, in case there

was any doubt)  and then we went outside to watch the show. It was fantastic. Natalie and I loved it. The kids loved it. It was great. (The last time I had seen a show was with my mom, and some others, it was a nice memory to play in my mind.)

Wednesday night we were fortunate enough to find a GREAT babysitter last minute and go

out with us adults. Bill took us on a VIP tour of his office. I was very honored and Natalie was thrilled. She loves all the crime/law programs on TV, so this was a great somewhat behind the scenes look as to what it really looks like. It was really neat.

Afterwards we walked from Bill's work to Freemont St. to partake in the "Freemont Street experience". We experienced it... and will now let others know that they don't need to. Natalie asked, "Is it rude to think some people should not reproduce?" Mine and Bill's thoughts exactly.

Thursday, and Natalie's flight home came all too quickly. We relaxed all day and tried to decide which of the 4 color splotches on my living room wall should gain permanent residency. She also took me down to Home Goods to help me get an idea of accessories that could work for the space. Natalie, like her mother, is so good at that sort of thing. Now I just wonder when she's going to come back to put it all together.

I had such a great time with my childhood friend. We had many conversations that only Natalie can make great. She has truly been blessed with outstanding communication skills and I love learning from her charisma. Until next time... we'll be missing you.