Grandpa and Grandma's House!

The last week in Jan. Adam and I had planned a trip to Thailand so Grandpa and Grandma were kind enough(and crazy enough) to watch our kids while we were gone or 10 days. We were def. a little nervous to leave them for so long(especially since Norah was going through her crying/attachment phase) but knew they would be well taken care of from Grandpa and Grandma. I know this was a huge sacrifice for them(lots of disrupted nights, no alone time, and lots of changing our stubborn 2 year olds clothes after accidents)- with all this sacrifice I hope that they found some joy(I know they did) because I know that Lincoln and Norah loved spending time with their Grama and Grapa (and cousins too).  Here are some of the pics that Penny sent us while we were gone.
By the looks of it, I think they got a little spoiled--- which is what grandparents do best right?

Lots of fun bubble baths!!

 Norah wanted to be a part of it as well.

Cousin Jayden was the best helper around and Lincoln had so much fun with him. 

 I love a naked bubble covered body.

 Clean and happy....

 Norah gets the same treatment in the kitchen sink.

Yummy Chik-fil-A and Ice Cream.  

 Being able to pick out anything he wants at the grocery store... Chocolate milk- YES PLEASE.

 Lucky Charms for breakfast.

 Hanging with cousins.

 Playing with Grandma's computer-- I think he may have been skyping with us.

Again a huge thanks to Grandma and Grandpa.
This was one of the emails we got from Grandma that I wanted to remember,
'Today was another great day with the kids. Lincoln and Jayden went to church with me. Melanie came over and tended Norah while we were gone. Lincoln was wonderful at church. I was running late so when we got him to nursery they were just starting snack time.The kids were all sitting at the table with snacks and drinks.  When I told Lincoln that we were just in time for snack time, he says, "Oh GREAT!" and promptly sat in the open seat. He was really a sweet boy in sacrament. He let me hold him and cuddle him. Jayden made him a paper airplane with the bulletin and his face lit up. His good didn't expire until the last 20 minutes of sacrament. He got up and took off on me to the back of the overflow and into the gym, giggling the whole way. We sat outside for the rest of the meeting.

We got home to Melanie feeding Norah lunch. She was very happy to see us return. We played and played the rest of the day. I am so bonding with Norah. She does not like me to leave the room and she lets me cuddle her quite a bit. I spend lots of time loving and caring for her. Lincoln has his share of accidents. So they have been having baths every morning and a "butt dip" at night. That's what I call it when they just get in and play and you don't have to worry about scrubbing everything. Mostly to get that bottom cleaned and go to bed happy. I sat Lincoln on the toilet for a bit while I take care of Norah. One time, when I went in to ask if he was done, I noticed that the entire roll of toilet paper had been unraveled onto the floor. I ask him who did that and he replied, "Yin-cun did it!" Well ok, at least the kids never lies.

Yesterday at the mall, we sat down to eat after having fun on the rides. Steve was sharing his fries with Lincoln and he dropped one on the floor. I grabbed it and tossed it out and gave him a new one. He did not like this at all. He wanted to have the one that dropped on the floor. When I told him it was dirty and to have a new one, he had a melt down and would not listen to Steve or I. Then Steve says, "Do I need to take someone out to the car?" and surprisingly Lincoln says, "Yes". So Steve picked him up and they went to the car while Norah and I stayed at the table finishing our dinner. After about 15 minutes, Steve and Lincoln came back. Lincoln had a big smile on his face and he was a happy boy again. I asked Steve what happened, He told me he just took him to the car and they sat there together for awhile. Every few minutes Steve looked at him and asked him if he was ready to go back in.  The first couple of times Lincoln just said, "No". then finally Steve asked him again, "Are you ready to go back in again?" "Yes" So they came back.

Lincoln and Norah love the videos that you send. We play them over and over. Lincoln lights up when you talk to him directly and even answers the questions and talks back to you as if you could hear him.  When you send the next one could you talk to Norah? Say her name. She listens very carefully to your words. I think she needs to hear you say her name too. She is really an intelligent and deep little person.

I love these children. They are so wonderful. Yes, I am busy day and night. I lay with them each night until they fall asleep. I love and care for them all day. It is wonderful to spend some time with them and bond together. I hope that you guys are having a great time. We love you so much.'