May Madness: Our Wonderful Visit with Nathaniel, Audrey, and Charlie!

July 9, Wednesday

I'm so glad Nathaniel, Audrey, and Charlie are here! I spent the morning getting ready for the day and getting Jonny's room ready for them and washing the bedding and everything. I set up the pack and play and got the luggage rack out. I brought some diapers upstairs and a towel to make it easier for them to change him. Jonny is going to stay in Andrew's room. Their flight was actually early but it worked out fine. Jonny and I went to pick them up and then we came back to the house so we could drop off some of their things so they don't sit in the hot car while we go to lunch. Michael had worked out and he wasn't ready when we left so we picked him up and I changed Charlie's diaper and we left to go to lunch. We wanted to go to Oasis Bay and I had looked it up on Apple Maps and it says it was open but it turns out it's closed and being rebranded again so I felt bad about that. We went to Pacific Seafood Buffet instead.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the lunch and then we drove back home. Audrey took my car to take Charlie to go visit her friend. Nathaniel and Jonny played some video games and I got some tasks done on the computer. Then Audrey and Charlie came home and we played with Charlie for a bit.

He loves the toys I got out for him, especially the little happy apple.

By about 6:30 PM, Charlie was ready for bed because that's 7:30 PM Utah time. Audrey fed him and got him ready for bed but he woke up quite a few more times. I had made roast in the crockpot for dinner so I made some sides to go with that. Once Daniel got home, he and Jonny and Nathaniel and Audrey all played Smash Bros for a little while. They actually made me play for a few minutes when Audrey had to go upstairs to take care of Charlie. Once Michael got home, we all decided to play a game. We played Taboo, then we had a family prayer and everyone went to bed.

July 10, Thursday

We had a wonderful day today! Charlie had been up since 5 AM and Michael and Jonny had already had some time with him this morning.

I got the ham in the crockpot and did a few chores. Michael wanted to go to the gym so I asked if we could please do scriptures first so we did that. Nathaniel and Audrey were busy with Charlie but then they joined us later. I stayed downstairs and played with Charlie for a little while and then I finally went up to shower and get ready for the day.

They wanted to go swimming before lunch so we did that. Charlie looks so cute in his dinosaur swimsuit.

After the pool, Charlie took a nap. I played Five Crowns with Nathaniel and Audrey. Charlie woke up in the middle and I held him for a little while and then after a little bit we put him in the highchair seat and Audrey fed him some golden kiwis.

I had so much fun playing with Charlie today! Erin and Rich didn't come over until 7 PM and by the time they got here, Charlie was almost ready for bed. They got to play with him for a little bit and then Audrey put him to bed and we ate pizza.

They stayed and we talked for a long time. They were all talking about missions. Jonny went to hang out with friends and later Daniel got home from work. Eventually Rich and Erin left and we said goodbye to them. By then it was almost 9:30 PM. Audrey had already gone to bed. Michael and the boys played some video games and then I got ready for bed, too. Jonny went to San Tan mall and then to the house of one of the girls from FSY and Nathan drove him so that was very nice.

July 11, Friday

I'm so grateful that I got to have some Grandma time with Charlie today! We had so much fun! I told Betsy she could come between 10 AM and noon and it was close to 11:30 AM by the time they got here. We talked for a few minutes and then Audrey bought Charlie down because he just woke up from his nap. They had fun playing with him. Spencer and Sara especially loved playing with Charlie.

Michael and I got lunch together and out on the counter for everybody. We had a prayer and everyone seemed to enjoy the food. Michael and the kids were trying to leave by 12:30 PM to get to the movies and they did pretty well. Michael helped me get all cleaned up and I got the dishes done and the dishwasher running before they left so that I could focus on Charlie. They all left to go to the movies. The Akers stayed and visited a little bit longer and then I think they left around 1:15 PM. I played with Charlie for a little bit and then I gave him his bottle. I snuggled with him on the chair for a little while and I thought he was going to go to sleep and then he wanted to keep playing so we did. Then when he seemed to be tired, I laid down with him on the couch and snuggled him until he fell asleep.

Nathaniel texted me after the movie and asked how things were going and I said that Charlie was perfect and sent him a picture of him sleeping. They came home and Audrey fed him again and then we got ready to go to Osaka.

The food was wonderful! I had so much left over. Charlie almost started crying after he saw the fire but he did OK. This guy threw broccoli instead of zucchini. I was the only one who missed. Everyone else caught it so I broke the streak. We had a good laugh about it. After dinner, we stopped at Menchie's and then went home. Charlie went right to bed. The boys played some Smash Bros. Then we played Soundtrack Trivia. Nathaniel won, of course. Then the boys went back to their game and then eventually Michael played Call of Duty with them.

July 12, Saturday

As sad as I am that Nathaniel, Audrey, and Charlie had to leave, I'm so glad that they were here. It was a wonderful visit! Honestly, we didn't do a whole lot. We mostly hung out at home and played with Charlie and had fun together. I got to play with him a little bit this morning and then when he went down for his nap I went to get ready for the day.