WHERE DID THE WEEK GO?

I honestly can't recall what happened during the first part of the week. Things have just seemed so hectic to me. But I do know that the weather was great! Then to our utter disappointment on Wednesday morning a snowstorm blew in. But it was weird. The temperature dropped about 30 degrees, and then a sheet of pea-sized hail peppered the ground. Then of course we got three inches of snow. NOT FUN! A lot of people were worried that it would kill all the blossoms that had come with the very warm weather, but it didn't! Our newly-planted garden was also okay.





So of course for the next day or so we just spent time indoors hanging out. When Brian came home he helped Vaughn to pass the time by playing the piano with him.




















Vaughn obviously really enjoyed himself!










Towards the end of the afternoon on Thursday the 29th, my brother-in-law Jared and his friend Letizia stopped by to say "Hi." It was a wonderful visit! We talked about all sorts of things, and then we went through some old pictures of me and my family and extended family. It was so nice how interested both of them were in the history of my family.

They both had a great time playing with Vaughn. They sat with him on the floor and played with our cat Ivan while Vaughn timidly tried to participate. Then he got comfortable enough to sit with Jared and even wrestle with him a little bit.

Here's Vaughn just relaxing and watching a show with Uncle Jared.

Letizia was a stranger to Vaughn so he avoided her a little bit. But by the end of the visit she had taught him to blow kisses and it was ADORABLE!

By the way, Letizia is the nicest girl ever! She just makes you feel so good and peaceful when you're around her. She is a great example to me of kindness and genuine concern for those around her. And this is really cool....she is fluent in Italian and English, and she knows a little Spanish too.







Brian's sister Rebekah, her husband Jim and their kids came that night. We didn't get to hang out with them though until Saturday. We all went over to Amy and Brenden's house in Spanish Fork to watch General Conference. This is where members of our church gather to hear inspirational and spiritual instruction to us. Of course this is broadcast throughout the entire world, since there are Latter Day Saints all over the world! It is really a remarkable experience for us. To the right is a shot of Jim and his son Michael playing some baseball.





So we all (as in Brian's parents, his two brothers, his sister Julie and her old roommate, Amy and Brenden and their kids, and Jim and Bekah and their kids) went out into their huge back yard to play around and just enjoy the good weather. (Yes, by Saturday all the bad weather was gone, and good weather was back again!)

Here is little Vaughn way out by their back fence just exploring. He is such a great kid. He doesn't need a lot to keep him occupied or entertained. Give him some grass and a stick and he's great!















Brian took some time to play a little ball with Vaughn too. And I'm not partial at all, but little Vaughn is a great thrower!











Vaughn also took the opportunity to play in the sand box area near the swing-set.












During the day there were two sessions of the Conference. Then in the evening, there was a session for the men. So all the Dad's and boys left, and the second they were out the door, the kids started crying. Vaughn is especially attached to Brian, so when he left I had my hands full.

All his cousins rallied around him and tried to cheer him up. He especially liked his cousin Riley for some reason and kept reaching for her. So here she is comforting little Vaughn.










Vaughn's cousin Lindsey tried so hard to get him to come to her and we finally got a picture of it this morning. She was great to play with Vaughn as well. She was very attentive to his needs this weekend. Thanks Lindsey!












Sunday we went over to Mom and Dad Higginson's in Springville to watch the last two sessions of Conference. It was a much more quiet experience today. It just seems like Sunday is quieter than every other day in the week, and I really appreciate that. Since it is only two times a year that we hold this Conference, they broadcast it on Saturday and Sunday, and we have it in place of Church. It is nice to be able to be at home with family to share this kind of an experience.

Vaughn of course in all the excitement did not take his usual nap at the usual time. He waited an extra FOUR HOURS to go to sleep. And we couldn't force him of course. So finally, Grandpa just put him on his lap and rocked him, and within about thirty seconds Vaughn was out. Here's how he looked on Grandpa's lap!
ADORABLE!!!




Between sessions we had a huge turkey dinner with all the fixings. It was just like Thanksgiving, except no cranberry dressing or pies. Although we did have pies the night before at Amy's house. It was wonderful!






Here are a few pictures Brian's Dad took of Vaughn while he was playing with his cousins.



















Here's Vaughn getting grumpy because he was really tired!











Hopefully I wont' be so scatter-brained this next week and I'll be able to give more details about the week. Love to you all!

And here's one for the road....

Love, Lisa