This was a much more low-key trip than the one just a month or so previous. We chilled out a lot. The kids thoroughly enjoyed art lessons with Grandma in her art cottage. Grandpa treated the 3 oldest to a hike on top of the mountain surrounding Bloomington and then down to the Virgin River, to dip their toes in. I was jealous! I don't remember hiking up that mountain as a kid. But Benson and I walked up around the block to an empty lot to climb on some rocks and do our own hiking. My heart surged with gratitude to see them standing on the mountain, so proud, with their grandpa. And then to see them all pull up in his truck, unbuckled, on their way to the river. This is the stuff memories are made of! Benson and I thoroughly enjoyed hanging out on the rocks. He would have been content to stay all day!
Chris and A hosted New Year's Eve at their house, complete with dinner and games. The kids all enjoyed each other and joked about who had crushes on which cousins :) They watched Harry Potter and played video games. I was shocked Benson wasn't phased by midnight at all. None of my kids were. They were all up and ready to party at midnight when we broke out the glow in the dark balloons and glow sticks!
The next day Russ and Nat invited everyone over to hang out and get some more family time in. The kids were completely entertained by their giant hot tub and outdoor TV while the adults chatted inside.
We were debating which day we should leave because of differing weather reports, and we ended up going sooner than we had told the kids. Like ripping a bandaid off. A really painful one. They are always sad to leave, but this time both Miles and Gwen had a hard time composing themselves for a while. It was tender to watch them hug these grandparents they love so much. They are lucky. I am lucky!
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