Coming to Town, Leaving Town

Since Emilee was born three weeks ago, we've had constant company on the weekends.  My mom and Dad were up to visit the weekend Emilee was born.  My mom stayed to help out for a week and left the following Sunday.  Then Tyler and his gf Mikel came to visit last week.  This week, nobody is coming to visit, but Joel and Hailey took a vacation to see Joel's best friend Alyssa get married.  We have a week break and then Dana is coming up for General Conference weekend.  After that it's Emilee's baby blessing and lots of people will be coming to visit!  Then I think we get a break.  We love having people over and going places but it sure takes it's toll on the apartment and keeping things clean.  Oh well, I'll use the newborn excuse. :)

Dad's Weekend

So, what's new to write about with all the adventures.  My dad really enjoyed his day with Hailey.  She didn't quite know how to handle his enthusiasm and gruffness but once wasn't sleep deprived for her naps they got along pretty well.  Joel and Dad would toss Hailey back and forth, play with Bear, and hang out.  We had a get together at a local park on Labor Day Monday with Mike, Lynn, Michelle and Chad.  Dad enjoyed taking Hailey to the different toys on the playground.  It was fun to watch.  

Mom's Weekend

Mom spent a good chunk of her time watching Hailey while she was here.  There's not a whole ton someone can do when it comes to caring for a newborn.  Most of the time they eat and sleep.  Eating falls to me to provide.  But only having to think about one little one was a great help.  My mom also helped me put together the bamboo inserts that I had purchased fabric for.  I realized it would be cheaper to make my own vs buy them.  12 inserts for $65 with shipping included vs the $140 it would have been to purchase them.  

Tyler and Mikel's Weekend

Tyler has been trying to come up and visit for a while.  It just worked out that Emilee was born and he was ready for a break from reality.  They got in late Thursday night, 4 am late.  Unfortunately I was up and so was Joel.  He was waiting up for them and I had just barely gotten Emilee back to sleep and was up talking with Joel.  It was a good weekend.  I was grateful for Mikel.  She sat and held Emilee while I did my best to can pears.  I got 14 quarts done thanks to her.  The rest of the pears...they had to wait and were turned into other things.  Dried pears.  Pear sauce. Pear Juice.  

We tried to have a good time while they were here and I think we accomplished that.  Tyler had been craving sushi for 6 months--that was the last time we all went to sushi after conference.  Then we made sure to include a trip to the Y to swim.  That was fun but a bummer at the same time.  I wan't quite cleared to get in the pool after having Emilee so I got to sit on the sidelines... not cool!  For someone who loves water, sitting and watching others play is torture!  Then Saturday afternoon/evening we went to the Hyde Park Festival in old town Boise.  That was a lot of fun.  Music and lots of vendor booths and the typical carnival food.  

Joel and I accomplished 3 goals at this festival.  Since the beginning of the summer when we'd go to a music festival or rodeo or some type of outing, Joel has always wanted the fresh squeezed lemonade, but it's never worked out that we got one.  I have never had a smoke turkey leg and they've always looked tempting.  Lastly, we wanted to get tattoos...henna tattoos since the real thing isn't an option. The lemonade was really good.  The turkey leg was ok but really gristly... curiosity satisfied, hunger... not so much.  AND we got our tattoos.  Tyler and Mikel got one as well.  Joel got a turtle because doing a free handed iron cross was a bit much for the artists without a stencil.  Then as he's walking away he realizes what he should have gotten.  A treble clef on one wrist and a bass clef on the other.  He got the bass clef but not the treble.  I got a leafy flowery design on my ankle.  Tyler got a different designed turtle on his bicep. Mikel got a star with ornamentation on her forearm.  I think our tattoos fit us fairly well. :)

It was a busy weekend with lots of conversation, teasing, and laughing.  They enjoyed playing with Hailey.  The best part was Hailey trying to get Mikel's attention during naps or in the morning.  She'd be up and want Mikel to pay attention.  Hi, hi, hi, hi... sit down.  Stand back up.  Hi! Babble babble... Mikel did her best to ignore her and turn over. Hailey was definitely sad when she didn't have a roommate anymore.