The Banquette

Several years ago we spotted a zinc topped table at a furniture store that we both just loved.  The modern look and the durability were both selling points for us.  But alas it was not in the budget at the time.  Our old table was getting worse for the wear, in fact Dean had already jury rigged multiple times to extend it's life, and we were tired of the bar height as well, so it was high time for a change.  Dean designed the banquette around the metal table back when we first saw it, so he dusted off the plans and while I was in Utah he went to work.  He found the table cheapest online, so he ordered it to be shipped to the house which was also an amazing surprise.  Now that the table is here and the bench is painted we're absolutely loving it.  It's amazing how much better we fit in the space than we did before.  As you can tell from the pictures we still need to take down that blasted wallpaper.  Not sure why that's so daunting to us, but we're definitely making progress.  The bench also opens up for storage space inside.  I just can't get over how great it all is and how sweet Dean was for surprising me with it.  I'm a lucky girl.

Landon's 7th Birthday

The night before Landon's birthday as I frantically put together his class treats and tried to put up his birthday door my stomach was feeling not-so-good.  I kept trying to convince myself that it was just in my head because I was worried I'd get the flu everyone else had had.  Eventually there was no denying it as I spent half the night in the bathroom.  So Dean helped me pull off the basics for Landon's big day, but it ended up not being quite what Landon or I had planned.  Dean managed to come home from school early and let me sleep.  Meanwhile he painted the banquette, which was awesome, but that made the kitchen unusable for Landon's b-day dinner.  So we came up with some alternative plans to grab pizza and have a picnic in the living room, and then did his real celebrating on Friday once the bench was dry and I was feeling better.  Landon was spoiled silly and loved celebrating for days.  So despite some craziness I think we pulled off a pretty great birthday.  We can hardly believe how fast he's growing up and that just a year from now he'll be getting baptized.  This past year he's really become an avid reader and is doing great in school.  He just started playing baseball and is really loving it so far.  He's got a super sweet and special connection with Bridger that I just love watching, and he's so full of life and energy.  Since he was born on May 4th (Star Wars Day) he decided on a Star Wars theme this year.  We sure love our Star Wars Boy.

 Birthday dinner of ravioli, bugles, strawberries, and french bread.

 Bridger isn't a big fan of other people's birthdays.  Haha!

 Dean baked and decorated the whole cake when I had the flu.  He's seriously the BEST!

 Braddock whacked the cake with a light saber before Landon blew out the candle.  Haha!  Kinda appropriate I guess.

Welcome Home

After a longer day than planned in the airport thanks to a dead plane battery (wouldn't you think they'd have extras at the airport?! Apparently not!) I finally made it home from Utah by 8pm (I left for the airport that morning at 5:45am).  Dean had had the boys take naps so they could stay up to come get me, but I couldn't help but notice only three little boys in my van when they arrived at the airport.  Poor Landon had just thrown up all of dinner so he stayed home with Grandpa.  Yep, I was welcomed home to the stomach flu.  Dean gave me a nice big welcome home kiss only to be throwing up himself a few hours later.  I knew I was probably a goner and sure enough I had the flu two days later.  But despite all of that I did have some pretty great surprises awaiting me at home.  Tanner had made signs and a pinata for us to do.  That is his love language for sure.  And the biggest surprise of all was that Dean had pretty much been awake the entire time I was in Utah building a banquette in the kitchen.  I was equal parts grateful for his thoughtful gesture and horrified that he hadn't slept in days and was in charge of our children with the stomach flu no less.  But now that it's a few weeks passed I'm just loving the changes in the kitchen and so grateful for a sweet, thoughtful, handy husband who uses his talents to spoil me.

Charlotte's Blessing

While I was in Utah the time was jam packed with events.  Not only did I attend BYU graduation, my cousins's baby shower, the viewings and funeral for my Grandma, but Kevin and Helen also blessed their baby Charlotte the Sunday I was out.  The timing really couldn't have been better.  Kevin gave her a very sweet blessing and then we all enjoyed eating and visiting at a pavilion outside their church building afterward.

 Bryce clearly wasn't very hungry. Hahaha!

 Matt was getting the biggest smiles and giggles out of Charlotte.

 

 

Grandma's Funeral

Goodbye Grandma

On Sunday, April 23rd my sweet Grandma Hilton returned to her heavenly home and was reunited with my Grandpa.  We had been expecting it, and for her sake we were really hoping she could be done suffering, but that doesn't mean we won't miss her so very much.  I got to sneak away to Utah for her funeral and I'm so glad I got to be there.  Her entire posterity, except for two grandchildren on missions, were all there and the celebration of her life was just what I needed.  I loved being with family and hearing stories of her life that I'd never heard before.  I feel so blessed to be her grand-daughter.  I'll never forget her bouncing us on her knee singing "Pony Boy" when we were little, or our trips to Lake Powell where Grandma even took the jet skies for a spin.  I'll miss the hours spent in their backyard swinging, picking raspberries, hanging in the hammock, or pretending we were the managers of the "tree hotels."  I'll never forget helping to build the cabin and then the countless hours spent together there.  She taught me piano lessons and hosted Christmas Eve parties where Santa always came with presents for all the grand-kids.  I remember their mission to England and the shirts and horse brasses they brought us all back.  And most recently I've loved when she'd beg to hold my boys and sing them to sleep in her arms with "A Bushel and a Peck."  She always LOVED babies and children.  Or how honored she always was when I'd call to talk on the phone because she figured it must be costing me an arm and a leg to call from so far away.  Or how she'd always ask when I was going to move back to "Zion."  I've always been so proud to be her grand-daughter.  I look forward to the day when I'll see her again, but until then we love and miss you Grandma!

 Grandma and Grandpa were married over in Germany where my Grandpa was stationed in the military.

 Christmas at the Cabin

 My cute Grandma at her bridal shower adorned with gift bows.

 Grandma holding me on Halloween with my older brothers Scott and Dan.

 Celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary

I just adore this picture of my grandparents.  The happiness in their eyes just radiates, no doubt they were truly in love.

 She rocked Bridger right to sleep at 2.5 months old.

 Grandma and Braddock

Last summer we made sure to get pictures with Grandma while we were out.  This was the last time we saw her in this life...

 Grandma and Grandpa at the cabin when Tanner was just a baby.

 Tanner giving them a picture he drew them.  They proudly hung it on their fridge for years.

 My mom helping Landon sing "Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree" for Grandma and Grandpa.

 

  The boys LOVED going for rides with Grandma on her motorized wheelchair.

 Entertaining Landon with a toy car in the kitchen.