Alastair's Blessing--and more...

I keep checking this blog, but no one has updated it for a long time! Oh, that's MY job?

Recently, we spent 36 hours in Wisconsin--arriving late Friday night and leaving early Sunday morning. But we were there for the most important event, Alastair's blessing!

The blessing was held on Saturday evening, at their home. All three of their children have been blessed at home and we have found it to be an intimate, sacred setting. And best of all, you can choose the time when the baby is at his best.

Aaron's mom, Paula Sullivan, flew in from Utah to spend the week, so she was there as well. Connor and Brenna enjoyed having TWO grandmas to entertain them. Paula teaches 6th grade now, and had to wait until the end of school to come out and help with the new baby. Catherine planned having the blessing when both sides of the family could be represented, even though it was only a couple of days after getting back from Japan.

And the rest of the time, we just enjoyed the day. Brenna can swing for hours if she can get enough people to push her. And Connor can pump himself, so he doesn't need anyone to push him. Hurray! Kevin was finishing up the book he started on the flights to Guam, etc. And still suffering with a little jet lag, he deserved the rest! (Though I think he gave some airplane rides to Brenna.)

And Kevin and I got to see all five of our grandkids within the space of 5 days. (And a few thousand airline miles, but who's counting?)

And we made it home on Sunday in time for our own ward, and for Kevin to be in a Cedar Rapids Ward for a bishopric change.

By the way, today marks the 2-year anniversary of our flooded basement! This weekend is the Sturgis Falls community celebration, and two years ago we had tons of rain and awoke on Sunday morning to wet carpet throughout the basement. Thank heavens Justin and Darcy were here (on their way out to Utah), for their extra help was so important in moving furniture, removing carpets (to dry out on the driveway) and putting things back. (Oh, and the missionaries helped, as did the Swindler family).

And guess what? We had four inches of rain on Thursday/Friday, but no flood this time! However, the tornado sirens went off twice--tornadoes were sighted by the airport. Alice was more than a little scared. Elizabeth was a Girls Camp, and they had an exciting time with the weather as well. But as Deborah says, "It wouldn't be Girls Camp without a tornado scare!"

Update on Deborah: she flew back to Provo on Wednesday, after taking care of Alice and Elizabeth very well. Except for the joke they played on us about having attended a Metallica Concert (when it was really a viola concert). They went to Adventureland, to Wisconsin, and to the various lessons the girls had. Thanks Deborah!!!