Awesome weekend, parts two and three.

As we are about to embark upon another awesome weekend (Lagoon with Chuck's family!) I figured I'd combine the rest of our last awesome weekend into one post, which means LOTS of pictures . . . as usual.

Saturday morning started with some family pictures with my mom. Look forward to those in a future post, but here's a behind the scenes glimpse:


After pictures, we met up with the extremely wonderful Gloria and Heidi for lunch at Olive Garden and then slowly made our way back to my house to prepare for a fun BBQ that evening.

Gloria and Bailey! It was so fun to have the Smiths visit.

Heidi, my BFSC extraordinaire!

Terri, my SIL extraordinaire! They both helped so much with the BBQ prep, don't those fruit platters look so delicious?

Bailey and Grandma Pam and Gloria (who is soon to be a grandma herself!)

We were excited to welcome some extended family from my mom's side to our home that evening - Uncle David, Aunt Sage, cousin Bryn, Uncle Larry, and Aunt Iris.

There was lots of catching up to be done.

Iris and Bryn. I have the best memories of having Bryn as a 'pen-pal' growing up; she lived in Seattle and always sent me sweet little notes and letters - all of which I still have, complete with the sticker-covered envelopes!

Will was still napping when the party started, but Chuck eased him awake with an ABC book - his favorite, of course!
Clyde took on two uncles in a light saber dual outside after dinner.

Will preferred to take an airplane ride.

Then it was time for some games; we played Who What Where and a seriously hilarious 'visual Telephone' game.

I gave Clyde the camera for a bit and ended up with pictures like this . . .

and this. Heidi and I were on a team and were conferring about our next move :).

Sunday morning Quinn spoke in church in my mom's ward and very sweetly taught about the Savior's role in our lives and the sacred importance of the Atonement. So many extended family members and friends came - my grandpa, uncles, aunts, cousins, etc. It was really, really neat to see all of that support for Quinn.

Afterwards, we gathered back at my mom's house to watch the soccer game, er, spend time together and chat . . .

We managed to get a few rounds of 'SET' in during halftime. SET is possibly my favorite game ever and I was introduced to it back in the day by Bryn and her family, so it was fun to play together again!

Reed held Bailey a bit to practice for his upcoming grandbaby.

Big Will and Bailey. I'm pretty sure this was Will's first visit back to Boise in quite some time, but now that he knows the way we expect some more visits. Especially since there wasn't time this trip to play Star Wars video game, which proved a bit devastating to Clyde.

Aunt Sage, Aunt Iris, and Chuck. We were so happy that David and Sage were able to come; we hadn't seen them since Sam and Terri's reception three years ago! And despite living much closer to Larry and Iris, we don't see them as much as we'd like to either, so that was also really nice.

Near the end of the soccer game we defied logic and fit a ridiculous number of people in my mom's back room.

That night, after most of the out-of-town guests headed home, we reconvened back at my house with just my mom and siblings to wrap up the weekend.

There was napping, video game playing, and reading. . .

and some more reading :). Terri indulged Will and read with him forever - what a sweet aunt!!

There was also a soccer rematch; I think the teams were Cody and Sam against Chuck and Quinn. Again, I have no idea what the final score was :).

Cody and Chuck also fit in some chess.

Terri and Sam. They headed home the next morning, although Sam left me a most wonderful gift - a webcam! We tested it out last night; it was really fun to use, thanks Sammy!!

And that was (at least a glimpse of) our seriously awesome weekend.

Awesome weekend, part one.

Last weekend we were delighted to have lots of family and friends in town to hear Quinn speak about his mission in church on Sunday. We started off the fun on Friday night at my house, spending time with my dad and all of my siblings.

Good looking group, eh?

Clyde and Will were definitely in heaven with THREE uncles on hand to play with.

I think Will spent more time up in the air than on the ground that evening :).

The rest of us were in heaven adoring sweet baby Bailey - Grandpa Braden was definitely smitten with his first granddaughter!

Will loved meeting his little cousin . . .

although he seemed a little concerned about Mom and Dad holding her so much!!

It was pretty cute to see Chuck holding a baby girl. Maybe I'll have to rethink my 'boys-only' stance.

Such a cute, chunky girlie! Sam and Terri posted her two-month stats the other day, and out of curiosity I looked up Will's weight at that age - the exact same! 13 lbs. 9 oz. Although Will was an inch longer, so as Sam pointed out, Bailey is technically chubbier :).

After pizza and fresh strawberries and pineapple, the boys wrapped up the evening with an intense soccer game in the backyard - Sam and Chuck vs. Cody and Quinn.

They stayed out past dark, relying on the porch light for quite some time. I'm sure they could recount each goal/foul/flop, but I can't even remember who won - whoops! They definitely had a good time :).

And that was the kick-off to our most excellent weekend!

Quinner is home!

My super cool little brother Quinn returned from a two-year mission for our church this past Wednesday. He served in the California San Fernando Valley mission and loved it.

We got ready to greet him at the airport with some beautifully painted signs.

Clyde eagerly got in on the painting action.

We got to the airport a little early, and Clyde had some energy to burn so we took turns accompanying him up and down the escalator. It was a good alternative to letting him dance/spin/push Will around in the stroller, as he had been doing just prior.

Our first view of Elder Braden!

Yay, a big hug for his mommy!

It was sooo crazy to see him for the first time in two years. Isn't he cute?

The whole crowd. Notice the distance between Clyde and Quinn - Clyde was very excited to see Quinn . . . from afar.

Luckily it didn't take him too long to warm up to Quinn again. Back at my mom's house, they bonded over trains.

Over at my dad's house, Quinn pushed Clyde on the swing, cementing their renewed bond.

Quinner and our dad!

Quinn was reunited with Jeff and Sean, just in time to watch some World Cup games together!

Quinn, Cody, and my mom came over that night for a sleepover; Clyde happily introduced Quinn to the Lego Star Wars video game.

Quinn was also able to 'talk' to Sammy online!

Friday night we met my dad at a park for tennis and pizza (minus Chuck, who had to work). I started off playing a round robin tournament with Quinn and Cody.

Then I took swing duty with my favorite-est little boys ever.

Clyde really loves the swings.

As does Will!

Cody is a most excellent tennis player; back in the day he was on the varsity team.

Quinn's first love is soccer, of course, but he is also a formidable foe on the tennis court. I should know, he beat me pretty hardcore.

Brothers! "Do you want to come sit on my turtle?"

Siblings! This is when we were making fun of Quinn's go-to 'thumbs up' pose :).

Cody, Quinn, and Pops!

When the courts cleared a bit, we let the little boys loose. I chased Will all over the place, while Clyde stayed close to Grandpa Braden, who VERY patiently tossed him tennis balls to hit.

Isn't he a cute future Wimbledon champion? I grew up taking tennis lessons and playing, and I loved it so I'm glad that Clyde likes to play too!

That night we had a sleepover at Grandma Pam's - we're having a hard time letting Quinn out of our sight for a whole day :). More of our adventures to come later!