Visitors!

Last week my Mother and Sister came to visit!  I haven't seen my mother in 9 months.  This was her first time to Idaho and her first time meeting her grandson!

 

Little Lady was ready to greet her at the airport.

 

Welcome to Boise!

 

After picking her up from the airport, we took her to see (per Colette's request) Cabela's and Costco.  But of course.

 

 

She got some good baby cuddles in that first night.

 



 

The next day, Kathleen flew in.  We picked her up after our church play group.

That night I made us a nice holiday type meal with turkey, parsnips, Brussels sprouts and delicious paleo pecan bars.

 

 

Kathleen got some cuddling of her own in too.

Saturday, we had a sleigh ride planned!  It was at Idaho Sleigh Rides in Garden Valley, so about an hour drive. 

 

Everyone was nice and bundled up for the ride!  We've had an inversion for a couple weeks now.  It keeps the cold air in the valley, so it was actually warmer for the sleigh ride (out of the valley) than we've been in Boise.  All the smog and cold temperatures get stuck here - it was in the single digits while they were visiting.  The temps are finally going up into the 30's, but the smog is still here (think thick fog) - I'm ready for it to move on, I'd like to see the mountains again!

 

Everyone hopped on board and got ready for the ride.

 



 

He was more interested in being cuddled - I obliged.

 



 

Sisters!

 

 

Sun glasses are ESSENTIAL!  Gotta love that Idaho sun!

 

 

She had fun!  It was a nice simple ride.  Not the best we've had, but a good deal for the price. 

 



Now my Mom and Kathleen can say they've gone on a horse drawn sleigh ride in the snow!  My Mom was very interested in how the sleigh was built and all that fun stuff.

 



 

Afterwards, we all enjoyed the wood stove and a warm drink!  Mom looks totally gray right here - misleading.

 

We decided to drive back home a different way, showing them some of the Idaho scenery.  Seriously, isn't that awesome?

 

We all got to see a bunch of cow (female) elk in different areas!  My first time seeing them.

We did a little detour to the hot springs we visited on Father's Day.

 

People were enjoying them!

 



 

Mom dipped her feet in.....while wearing her boots.....

 

They opted for the fully clothed tour.  Can you see the steam?

 



 

Of course, little lady being the free spirit she is - she wanted to get her toes in there!

 

Take a close look at the picture above and then check out the next one.

 

 

Same spot!

 

 

And she wanted to do it again.

 

The steam had frozen to the trees.

 

We then drove the rest of the way home - a long, happy, cramped car ride home.  Yay.

 

And then we went to Outback.

 

The next day......Canyon got baptized!  We did a nice little ceremony after mass.  Deacon Mike did the honors.

 

There is a little chapel on the side of the church and that is where they do baptisms when they aren't done during mass.  Kathleen is the Godmother and my Mom stood in as the proxy for the Godfather - Gene!  Some of our friends from church stayed after mass to attend and Deacon Mike got all the kids involved, having them help bless the water. 

 

 

It was awesome to be able to have them here for the baptism.

 

He wore the same gown that Colette wore - and that my Mother and all her siblings and at least one of my cousins wore.

 

It was a good day.

 

Happy Papa.

 

We then had brunch and took Kathleen to Cabela's (per HER request).

 

The next morning I got up ridiculously early (before 4am), after Little Man had been waking up every hour, and took Kathleen to the airport.

 

I then made an awesome paleo breakfast for my Mom, Colette and me and we enjoyed my Mom's last day here.

 

Cauliflower scrambled eggs in red pepper, bacon and kiwi.  Mmmmmmm.

 

I treated my Mom to a massage and took Little Lady to play at Bodies in Motion while she was getting it.

 

I really don't think they had play places like this when I was a kid.

 

Let's her get her inner monkey out when it is super cold outside.

 

Trying on her glasses - like I used to do when I was a kid. 

 

She used that final night to get lots of grandkid time in,

 

and some good grandbaby cuddles in.

I took her to the airport bright and early the next morning.  It was a good visit.  She seems to be doing really well and I'm hoping things work out well and she continues to do even better.  Colette LOVED seeing them.  Hopefully she got in enough cuddles to last 'till we are able to make it out to Maryland this summer!