Eliza's Doll

 

Eliza received a (hand-me-down) American Girl doll for Christmas. I remember getting my Kirsten doll when I'd already pretty much outgrown dolls--but I remember it being such a big deal to get a 'real' doll. It was a Christmas gift from my grandmother, who loved dolls. Bee would have been thrilled to see Eliza's response to the doll. I keep getting confirmation that they are kindred spirits and were/will be best friends in heaven. 

It was adorable to watch how much Liza Bee loves this doll. Eliza said the cutest thing later that day, after she'd had the doll for about eight hours. She said, "Now I finally know what it feels like to have my very own doll!" She named the doll Isabelle and still sleeps with her every night. When asked what she missed most about home when we were in Utah for two months, every time her answer was, "I miss Isabelle." I'd told her not to bring the doll because we'd only planned to be gone a couple weeks and there would be so many toys at Nana's house. I don't know if she'll listen to my advice ever again.

I get a kick out of this picture of the opposite teeth.

Nana helped her make doll clothes and I made her matching skirts.

And, just because it's so sweet, Eliza's real life doll, patient Henry.

Summer in Utah

I was really looking forward to spending a good chunk of the summer in Utah with family. I grew up in the best neighborhood and I'm selfishly glad my parents decided to remodel their home and stay in the area. Now my children get to enjoy the neighborhood and grandparents' house for a long time to come. My parents had recently moved in and all the big things were in place but there were still boxes they saved for me to help unpack and organize. All the fun stuff. Books, toys, some pictures on the wall.

My dad had a big project in mind for my brother and Collin to help with. They made a bocce ball court. It was a lot of heavy, dirty work. The result was a great place for people of all ages to play and chat together. The game is a good one for all 'skill levels' because there isn't too much actual skill required.
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Eliza celebrated her 6th birthday (for perhaps the 6th time?!) in Utah. She requested a luau tea party. Her particular wish was to drink out of a pineapple. I think my best memory of the party was the hula popcorn story every person participated in. We all had to make up an action and a line of the story, all standing around in a huge circle. It was hilarious and so sweet for everyone to be such a good sport about this activity. You see Eliza's smile? That was her face the whole time.

The 4th of July is a fun one in Utah. There are always far more awesome things happening than one person can do. We stopped to see my aunt weaving at a heritage days before heading up to my uncle's cabin in the mountains. Granny's in Heber was open (and under new management) so we had to pause for a milkshake.

Then playing at the park and sparklers in the driveway and fireworks in the street, a true throw back to my childhood.

We got to see friends and more family. Even though we were there such a long time it still wasn't enough time to spend with all the people we care about. You know how every time you go to Costco you see someone you know? So there we were, heading in to get fireworks when we heard our names. There were our Boston friends coming out of the warehouse! They still live in Boston but were on their way to a reunion. The great summer in Utah exodus at work. We got to spend an evening with them and our other good friends who have relocated to Utah from Boston. When we have such a good time with friends we already know it makes me long for heaven, where I hope we'll get to see all our favorite people more often forever. :)

Aunt Jenna and aunt Janeil! The kids really are the luckiest in the aunt and uncle department. So many awesome adults to love them and spoil them in ways their parents don't.

I thought I was going to help my parents do some organizing and unpacking but really we were all going to play with a little work mixed in.

Henry figured out clapping and crawling while we were with the grandparents.

The kids had lots of water fun, including swim lessons every morning and often free swim in the afternoons. They even got to experience irrigation in Springville at great aunt Sarah's.

One of my favorite evenings were when my mom pulled out the treasures from her parents' and grandparents' estates. This was a childhood book of my grandpa's. He kept it his whole life and returned to it throughout. I love this so much.

I'm looking back at all these pictures now and realizing how much we truly packed into our days. No wonder we fell into bed and straight asleep each night. There was cousin time, campus visits, people seeing, a 5K temple to temple walk, puzzle sorting, watermelon eating, storage room sorting, IKEA store going, shelf constructing, wall hanging, fort building, etc., etc., etc.

I'm already planning next summer when we return for more of all of it!