Amanda came to Boise!!!

Friday::
Amanda arrived in Boise at 7:00 am on Friday! KG picked her up on his way home from work. That's really early for us around here so she went and did a temple session. Once the girls and I were awake and ready we just awaited her call to come and get her. We were so excited to see her! She doesn't get to eat out much and doesn't' have any variety in China so we planned to show her all the yumminess we have here the entire weekend! We took her out to lunch at our favorite Mexican restaurant, Amigos. After that we all needed naps. Later, while I worked, KG took the girls swimming and Amanda joined us after she woke. She watched Flower swim and Flower loved that! That evening we took her to Texas Roadhouse.
When we were leaving their was this cool motorcycle in the parking lot. Amanda stuck Flower on and I snapped a quick picture. :)
After dinner we were all beat. My boss was so generous in allowing Amanda to stay in our fully furnished executive suite. She said she slept better here than any point on her vacation. That made me happy and I was glad to give her some space and alone time. She said she enjoyed watching HGTV and TLC, things she doesn't get to watch in China.
Saturday::
Amanda came over around 11:00. She and Flower had some girl time. They ate yogurt, which Amanda doesn't get in China and was very excited about, and did their nails.
Amanda brought a very pretty pink color and some flower stickers.
Flower was in heaven!!!


Flower was so excited to show EVERYONE! She was constantly admiring them.
After that they watched Flower's current favorite Princess movie that she's borrowing from Buffalo.
Eventually we were all starving for lunch! We took her to Bangkok Thai. It was yummy as usual.
Pretty nails for some pretty cute girls.
While we ate our food, River had a bottle. I swear she loses more down her chin and neck then makes it into her mouth!

After lunch we took her to our favorite snow shak for a shaved ice. When we got home we were all ready for naps!
I decided I'd take advantage of everyone being asleep and take a bath and read. After my bath I blow dry my hair. Every time I do that River sits in the doorway and just stares!
Saturday evening we had a big BBQ for everyone to come meet Amanda. We were excited to introduce her to people that are in Flower's life. We had a great time and I'm excited about the conversation Kris and I had with her about getting help for the babies and working on some prospective contacts!























Sunday::
Sunday morning we took her to Jim's Coffee shop for breakfast. I really wanted her to meet Joni! We enjoyed ourselves and Joni was hyper as ever. :) After that we went to church. It was so nice to have her at church with us and be able to introduce her to everyone.
After church we made a visit to Brenda who gave her one of her famous blown glass necklaces! It was so pretty and I love that she'll have one to wear just like the rest of the women in our ward.
Then we took her to Fanci Freez. We had to show her the best milk shakes in town. My other friend Amanda, from church, met us there as well. We enjoyed lunch and milkshakes there and had a nice visit.
We came home for some much needed naps!
That evening, because Jerry had been out of town, he and Kris came over for a visit so he could meet her.
I love this photo of Riv cuddling up to Jer.
We talked for a couple of hours and then decided we were hungry so we headed for Delsa's. More yummy ice cream!
As if that wasn't enough for one day we then went to my older brothers house to celebrate Lomad and Zach's birthdays. We had a nice visit there as well.
This is the point in the evening when she should have been getting on the bus for a long ride back to Salt Lake. But Kris and Jer so generously arranged for her to fly on Southwest instead! She didn't have to catch the flight until the next day at 1:30 pm so that gave us more time with her! I was so touched and so grateful for that. My love for them just continues to grow deeper. She was also very grateful!
After saying our goodnights Flower got to work making Amanda a blanket. She loved being able to do it by herself, with a tiny bit of help and was very proud of it.

We hope as she cuddles up with it in China that it will be like a nice hug from Flower!
KG and Flower took her to the airport at 12:30
We can't wait to see her again, which incidentally isn't going to be too long. We are so thankful she made the time to spend with us!
She is an amazing lady and we are so blessed to have her in our lives!

Finishing up the weekend

Saturday afternoon our case worker came for a 2 month visit. So far we have been deemed good parents. It's nice to be validated. :) We found out that there is still progress being made regarding the birth father. Things were stalled for a bit due to the holidays. We also found out we have to have some more interviews or something regarding that which will mean more money out of our pocket. :(

Right after that we went to visit KG's mom in the hospital. She had back surgery a few days ago. Not fun. She seems to be doing well though.

After that we went to the church to complete my Sunday bulletins. Good thing the missionaries were there because I forgot my library keys.

And THEN we went to my sister's house to play games with them and the Mecham's. It was a fun evening.

Sunday I actually made it to church for the first time this year. :) I even went to all the meetings, even if Sunday school was only for 10 minutes, I'm counting it! Amazing. We have been asked to attend the Reach One program for a few months so that should be interesting. Since it is our first Sunday this year that meant it was Flower's first time in Sunbeams. She was so excited and that I don't think she thought twice about nursery. She was also thrilled to see Tianna again and both of them yelled each other's names and went running for each other because it's been awhile. So cute.

My little family is now sleeping. There is something so peaceful about Sunday naps. I think I'm going to have to join them...I'll resume this post after the fun we're going to have this evening.

I'm back from our fun evening! We went to Patti and Jeff's. John, Jill and Alyssa are their three kids, Alyssa being Flower's age. Sara, Darrin and their four kids, Liam, Sydney, Madeline and Quinn also came. We had wonderful food and played games. We played Bubble Brain which we have played tons of times and usually it's pretty funny. Well tonight it was beyond funny! Dang hilarious to say the least. Sara and I were gasping, crying and pee'ing all at once. Oh and I was hacking but what's new? Good times. The funny part is we(KG, Sara and I) were worried about being to racy for Jeff because we were a little unsure of his personality since we haven't played games with him before. Have no fear, he was raunchier then we were at times. We are so proud. ;)
The kids had a great time too and I was so impressed at how well they got along and we barely heard from any of them.
On to the photos.
This is what it's like trying to take a photo of Lightning McQuinn. He would not stop moving and was not impressed that the creepy lady was trying to take his photo.




Liam also doesn't like his photo taken so I had to be sneaky and take it as he was preoccupied filling his plate.
I am so bummed that I didn't get a better photo of Jill and her gorgeous hair. It's such a vibrant red!

Can't wait for the next gathering! Sara when did you say we were coming over? :) He He.

Girl's night with Sara.

I was invited to a nice wholesome, girl's night with Sara's family in celebration of her Birthday. It was at MK's house(her sister) and in attendance was her mom, H(sister-in-law) and H's two sisters. I was the only non-family member in some way and I felt honored. :) I'm so glad they included me.
The night was off to a proper start with MK flashing us! She has a nice rack. :)
We had yummy soup in bread bowls and talked...about sex...pretty much all night, either directly or indirectly.
We laughed a ton!
I also learned all about tulips and barbies. Big fun.
They always make me laugh. They are a sarcastic, dry sense of humor kind of bunch.
All the photos had a booby theme. I tried to cop a feel of Sara but was unsuccessful...
...as was she to MK.
but MK came through and got a nice handful of Sara. Nice!
Happy Birthday Sara!