grandkids' visit 2010

 I don't have pictures to post yet, but wanted to journal about this visit.  On Monday June21st,  Brandie drove 14 yr old Josh, 7 yr old Robert and 4 yr old Alisa to Blythe. Add them to 11yr old Cameron and 9 yr old Faith and it was a fun mix.  Amy was working so Brandie & I just hung out with the kids.We pretty much just swam and played Wii/ DS's all day. On Tues. June 22nd Ric arrived with 8 y old Alainna, 6 yr old Isabel and 1 yr old Seven. It was late evening, so we just ate dinner and got ready for the night. Ric left early AM on Wed. to drive to Phoenix to pick up 12 yr old Mary Beth from the airport. So, again, we just hung out during the day because temp. was over 100 everyday and closer to 110 a few days. Ric then left early Fri AM to go back to Phoenix airport to fly out to New Orleans to join Diona who is attending a 2 week class for her job. They enjoyed 4 days together in hot and humid weather while we were sweating it out here. But the kids didn't seem to mind. They swam off and on all day and night. Most of the time, Amy took all the kids except Seven to her house to sleep (one big cousin slumber party). Ray and I enjoyed our alone time with Seven in the evenings and Seven got Grandpa in the swimming pool every night. Seven sleeps well and wakes up in a good mood at about 6 am. He loved going out in the backyard in the mornings because he isn't allowed out during the day. After a couple of days, all the kids, including Seven, got used to our big dog Belle and Cam & Faith's little dog, Roxy and they were always under foot too. It was actually chaos during the days with everyone staying in most the time, but it worked. Cousins can argue and disagree, but for the most part they get along great.  Ray and Brandie came back on Saturday to pick up their kids and stayed through Sunday. Everyone made it to church on time (if you allow for walking in on opening hymn).  I hope primary survived the Bolton evasion.  Poor Mary Beth is too old for primary and does not attend church at home, and she did not want to go to Young Women's, but she too survived.
Unfortunately, Faith developed a headache and then a fever last night and has not been able to play with cousins today. But, we expect her to be back in form soon.  Diona will be arriving in Phoenix on Friday afternoon and Ric will once again make that trip to pick her up. They will stay until Sunday AM, then head to Ray and Brandie's to see them and others for a few hours but then will begin the long drive home. They plan to spend Sunday night in Sacramento with Dee's family and then be home by Monday night to return to work on Tues.  It has been a great visit even if exhausting at times. Grandkids really rule our world!