Ember Connection

 Early on Sunday morning, Andrew, Briona, Amber and I headed up to Redding to visit with Nate and Kelsi's family and attend Emma's name blessing. By the time we arrived it was evident that everyone else had illness in their families and would not make it. I wasn't surprised by Julia and Mike's family as I had watched them on Saturday and suspected they were already ill. I was sad that Matthew and Debbie's family were hit too. Kelsi sent out a zoom link so anyone who wanted could watch. 

Imagine our surprise when we got home and found out that Grandmama had been able to watch!  Rebekah and Mike had come to Utah for Kindra's wedding on Saturday and then had visited Grandmama in Provo and watched with her on the zoom link.

I found out on Monday night that Rachel was ill too. Wow, it must be the cold season. Anyway, we had a really great time connecting and playing with everyone at Nate's home.

Nate and Kelsi are really good hosts. Nate had made separate meals to meat the dietary needs for the different members of the family.

Nate made a Moraccon lentil stew for Julia

In the crock pot was a roast and some vegetables for Debbie and Matthew's family

Since they were not able to make it, the rest of us enjoyed a really delectable lunch! Kelsi had made rolls and they also had Naan bread. Delicious!

I can't remember if it was Nate or Andrew who brought it up, but I do remember they were talking about the cousin connection and hoping that the two girls could be friends. Amber and Emma may be in the same grade, but maybe not as Amber is born before September and that is the cut off date to start Kindergarten. It is always tricky to decide if the child should be one of the oldest in the class or one of the youngest. I hope that  Emma and Amber can be good friends. The Ember cousin friendship.

The great part for me was watching Uncle Andrew!

Andrew has a repertoire of motorcycle, rocket, truck, etc. games he plays 

Must end up in tickles and laughter

The children are endlessly fascinated with anything he does

Now their aunt Briona is a mine to be discovered

Jayson was pretty much on his own because he had come back from school with pink-eye and had to stay away from the babies. But he found things to do on his own.

Probably better with someone other than Yukon

Watching kids is heartwarming and hilarious.

Lilly taking great care of her sister Emma

So Caleb picked up Lilly's doll, sending us all into smiles

On the way back, Andrew was tired. Driving seven hours in a day can do it to you. Briona and I watched the rainbows and talked about different things. Briona would bring up different questions and ask about my life and we discussed a variety of things about children, growing up, different feelings about raising kids and strategies, and how we felt about different events in our lives. Andrew listened and would give a few replies. I think it helped his mind stay awake listening to us.  My last question to Briona was what her love language was....I'm not sure I really know. We'll have to have another trip sometime.