Ishii Visit

I was thrilled when my parents told me they planned to come up and visit. Since both my brother and his family live up here as well, we share my parents. My brother's family had them for the weekend and I was to have them for the next few days after that. But then my Dad had a work emergency that just couldn't wait- he needed to fly home asap. And my Mom had come down with a nasty cold. We're talking lay in bed nasty, the kind that just wipes you out. I was so bummed. Since they are planning on serving a mission early next year, I wondered when I would see them again.
But.
I completely underestimated my parents. They left their minivan at my brother's house, flew home for a week and then flew back the following week so they could get their visit in with my family. What!? I felt so unbelievably grateful to have such amazing parents who show their love in word and action. So very blessed. Especially since shortly after my Mom left, I realized I had eaten off her spoon the night before she got sick. Oops. It was delicious soup, so the day after they left, I caught that nasty bug and was down for a few days. So, it worked out perfectly that when my parents came back, we were all nice and healthy and had lots of energy to PLAY every day!

We had so much fun.  The best two parts of the visit?  We arranged for (2) Triple dates.  Yup, we booked awesome and talented babysitters to watch our total of 6 kids, so that my parents, Ian and Serena and Brad and I could all go out.  The first time we went to La Jolla Groves.  We just sat and talked for several hours after eating.  It was just lovely.  No feeding of children.  No interrupting, just pure adult conversation.  So heavenly when it is so rare.
The second time we had dinner at Smashburger (YUM!) and then went to see a Comedy Sportz show.  Super fun as well.

Of course, we played A LOT during the days too!  Noah even got to take off two whole days from school. Because it's a Holiday when family comes! We went swimming at the Water park in Lehi that we love, the kids HAD to show my parents an awesome park and we just had so much fun.  I love that my parents are so hands-on.  They love to play with the kids, which is so fun to watch.

(Amalie had a little incident that involved her running with a stick and falling.  Apparently she was in a lot of pain.  It wasn't until we stopped for lunch, that I noticed her wrist was swollen.  Poor thing.  Thankfully she seemed to be feeling better an hour or two later.)

Another part that really made me feel loved was when I got to spend some time with my Dad.  We don't often get to connect like Mom and I do.  We just ran some errands, but I just love talking and connecting.  It's such a blessing that I adore and get along so well with both my parents.  I am eternally blessed by their sacrifices.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Mom and Dad for coming up!