Tanner and Meagan come to town

This is the summer that we decided we are NOT taking a giant trip to Utah.  Instead, we declared it to be the year everyone else can visit us!  We spoke, they listened.  So Tanner and Meagan decided to visit Chicago.  It was fun because they, having no parental obligations of their own, had plenty of energy to entertain our kids.

As you can see, our boys loved the attention!  Tanner and Meagan were also free to do many Chicago outings on their own while I managed normal life - drop-offs, pick-ups, snacks, carpools, etc.  But on this day, Sam and I joined them at the Shedd Aquarium.

The boys had a half day on Wednesday, so we all went to the Botanic Garden together.  

The weather was just deciding to be somewhat springy, which made everything lovely.

Meagan and I enjoyed tulips and other lovely flowers, while Sam and Ellis played War in the stroller, and Henry and Tanner talked about Pokemon (and how they would create their own Pokemon-like game) for approximately 2.5 hours.  Everyone was happy!

I decided to pose with my boys to capture the magnificence of my growing belly.

We drug Tanner and Meagan along to the Real Salt Lake vs. Chicago Fire game.  Many boys were in heaven!  Ben couldn't believe that I made him look at the camera (and away from the game) for what was apparently a very important 30 seconds.  

Two of us need an RSL shirt.  

Tanner was perhaps even more excited about this AMAZING pizza we ate at Pequod's on the way home.  It is now officially our favorite deep dish pizza.  Tanner was enthusiastic about pretty much all the food Chicago had to offer on this trip.  He went along with Meagan on all of her artistic Chicago adventures, saying, "I'm just in it for the food."  We did donuts, hot dogs, barbecue, popcorn, etc.  It took me a few weeks to recover...

We also played LOTS of games during this week, and somehow I have no pictures to prove it.  It was so fun having Tanner and Meagan in our house playing with us.  Perhaps my favorite part was when Meagan showed me all of her graphic design work and the programs she uses.  She is so talented!  I am jealous of all the projects she gets to do in school.    Thanks for coming, cute Griffin couple!

Married!

Who is the lucky man who got to marry this beautiful girl?

???????

Yep, my awesome brother Tanner.  He's a married man!  And we are all pretty happy about it.  I adore Meagan!

That would be all four of my siblings and our spouses - married in the temple.  What a happy day!  Notice how Kati and McCall accidentally wore the same skirt!

Do we look like we could be related?

They had their reception in my parents' backyard.  Everything about it was completely adorable.  I love that Meagan's grandpa had a truck that matched the wedding colors!

I was so happy to be able to help out with these signs.  I like to do a little "chalking" now and then . . .

Lemonade stand

Ran by five very capable little boys who were basically shoving cups of lemonade into people's hands, even if they had already had 2 or 3 cups.  They also got unsupervised access to the candy supply while their parents forgot about them and chatted with guests.

Are you as in love with this as I am?

I will always love my parents' yard.  

It was the perfect place for a party.

Matching bike?  Of course.

Tanner really wanted to serve cereal and milk for the refreshments.  I think they appeased him by serving Fruit Loops as one of the ice cream toppings.

 Family pictures . . .

Me with my boys . . .

 and some bowtie pics . . .

A glimpse into Tanner and Meagan's future.

And a glimpse into the quirky, odd, hilarious, gut-busting time you will have if you get to spend time with my brother Tanner . . . who is now a married man.

Thanks to Ashlee Hair photography for the pictures I snagged.

In which Tanner visits, Henry spills his sporks, Watertown is on lock-down, and we find a house!

 The Mormons spoke, and Costco listened!  This could have been the thing that convinced me to switch to Costco.  Thankfully I have friends who are kind enough to make my weekend that much awesomer.  #lifechangingtortillas

 I see a bright future in data entry for these two, who have taken on the very important project of correctly identifying all the people in our Picasa albums.  2,500 down, 11,000 to go!

Rule: When it's 72 degrees in Boston, you absolutely must get outside and stay there and soak it up . . . even if it means the missionaries will be building their own Paninis for dinner.  #heavenlyspring

Next time you decide to use your backpack as a jet pack to fly around the playground, check to make sure the zippers are all zipped up.  Otherwise, you might risk spilling all 50 sporks from your "Dr. Forkchop" collection all over the sidewalk.  #iloveyouhenry

This makes me happy!  #sunshineandbrothers

Cleaning out a cupboard in my kitchen.  This is how many notebooks I have filled up over five years, sitting at my kitchen table.  #morningpondertime #scripturejournal #andmanyothermusings

Our Spring Break overlapped with the Yosts', so we got to have them for a quick visit!  We will miss these friends when we no longer live three hours away and get to visit frequently.  

What on earth is Henry wearing on his feet?  And by the way, has anybody seen the arm rest covers for Henry's booster seat?  

Tanner is here!  He checked two bags: one for clothes, and one for games.  Bring on the Dominion, Klunker, and Acquire!

This is going to be fun.  #uncletime #ukeleletraining

 Almost like a 24-hour playdate for my boys, but cooler (because he plays with me and Ben too).  #boardgamegeek #mybrotherrules

Only some people are cool enough to make (and eat) a Mac & Cheese Panini.  We were definitely planning on doing something cooler with Tanner today.  Instead, we are locked down in our house with the doors locked and the blinds closed.  #somevacation #prayingforwatertown

Whoa.  This just got a whole lot closer to my house (less than a mile away, just down the street).  We are definitely not going anywhere! #watertown #standoff #shootings

 Ellis decided that today would be the perfect day to wear his Watertown Police Department tattoo.  Endless thanks to the men and women who made it possible for us to leave our homes today without feeling scared.  #watertownpolice #thankyouthankyou #gotthebadguys

Impromptu scripture/testimony/missionary-story session with Uncle RM.  Thanks Tanner for bringing the MTC into my home!  These boys love and admire you so much.  

Cloudy, quiet, healing day in Boston.  A good day for finding a new favorite kite-flying spot.  #castleisland #healingwithboston #letsgoflyakite

"All by myself!" (with some help from Uncle Tanner).  Did I mention that I think kite-flying is the most wholesome family activity?

Meet the third wheel of our date night!  Can you tell we're siblings? #mikespastry #neddevines #faneiulhall

I'm sitting down to read these sweet notes from the Primary kids and teachers.  I got released today after nearly three years as president.  I will miss these amazing kids, teachers, and counselors. #seeyoulateralligator #iloveprimary #firstofmanygoodbyes #bringonthetears

I'm sitting in as Ben defends his dissertation.  Will he be good enough to graduate?  #thebigday #wayovermyhead

Dr. and Mrs. Iverson on their way to Chicago for a celebration/house-hunting trip.  Our kids are in the hands of Uncle Tanner.  Please pray for all of us!

 Ben says that I'm asking for too many prayers . . . But please bless that this can be our house.  The realtor has to beat out one other applicant!  #evanstonhouse #rental

Morning jog on the lake #chicago #icouldgetusedtothis

We got the house!!!  Hip, hip, hooray!  This shows a glimpse of the inside.  #happyday #thanksfortheprayers

 And this is the street.  The neighborhood is the part I'm most excited about.  It is full of parks, walking distance from train and shopping, two blocks from the school.  And it is SO CUTE!

Mom of six while Jamie was dancing the night away at the Newport Ball.  I think if I had to choose, I would rather be home with the six kids!

  And Ben asks, "Is there a quick version of Monopoly?"  #superdad #starwarsmonopoly

Five kids play outside while the baby sleeps and I bake lovely bread.  Sounds like a day straight out of the blissful (idealistic) dreams of my youth.  #ihavesixkids #lovelyloaves #lifeisbeautiful