Maple Valley

 "Oh my gosh, are they all yours?!"
"Wow, you must have your hands full!"
"Are those twins?!" (*gasp)

We flew as a family to Seattle last month to visit family and friends for an extended weekend trip. I can't express the joy I felt, knowing that I would soon be with so many people that I love so dearly! But first, there was getting there...

Flying with four small children is quite an ordeal. There are four car seats to be checked and carried, strollers, snacks, sippy cups, activities, stuffed animals, blankets, diapers to be changed, and twins to be nursed. What do people say to you every time you leave the house? I just nod, smile politely, and wait for the next staring person to repeat the same sentiments. But every once in a while, I hear kind words from someone who "gets it". Those comments sound like this:

"Your family is so beautiful!"

"What cute kids!"

"They're all so well behaved!"

My kids are exceptional flyers. I'm pretty sure the three hours of church every Sunday for their entire lives has a little something to do with it. But just to be sure, I sit them down before each flight to explain what I expect of them, and reward them with "treats" in their backpacks. It makes them positively giddy with excitement. Thankfully, the airplane was practically empty, so the girls had enough room to lay down and sleep. Kyle and I each held a twin, and they slept for most of the flight as well. 

Oh, Maple Valley. It was so good to be back! My kids had missed their cousins immensely! Especially London, whose little companion Taylor is her favorite person on the planet. It was as if we had never left. 

We made it to Washington at the very end of blueberry season...I have this thing with fresh fruit. Dusty wooden fruit stands on the side of any road are my guiltiest pleasure. The whole "you pick" farm idea, I'm convinced, was invented for me. I could pick fresh fruit and eat it all day long forever and never consider stopping. Especially on the morning we went: the air was crisp and the sky was foggy, and it had just stopped raining. It was heaven. I could've stayed all day. Kyle's The twins' blueberry picking limit, however, was only about six pounds. I think the kids had fun, even though their combined contribution to our bucket was three blueberries, and Kyle indulged me, even though he thinks I'm crazy. 

When I was pregnant with the twins, I was really really sick. Due to preterm labor, I spent an entire month in the hospital, and had to rely entirely on my family, husband, and sweetest friends for the care of my older two girls. One lady in particular took a liking to London and Elle, and though we were friends before, the birth of the twins brought us much closer. She was my angel in those first crazy months, when newborn twins should have taken my sanity. She helped me with housework, played endless hours with the girls, and rocked the twins to sleep over and over and over again. My children love her dearly, and so do I. We went to visit her on our trip to Washington, and the girls were so happy to see her again!

I sneaked this picture of the girls and Elaine
 looking for frogs in the water!

Matt and Rachel invited us to their home after church, and Brigham and Kari had us over for dinner. Our kids all played together while we enjoyed some much-needed adult time. We feel so fortunate to call them our friends! I even attended one of my book clubs, where I reconnected with a wonderful group of women I adore and deeply respect, thanks to our countless thought-provoking discussions until 2 am.  

12, 10, 8, 5, 5, 3, 1, 1

On our very last day, my littlest nephew, Grant, came down with the cold Elle was carrying, and our plans to attend the Children's Museum weren't looking too promising. Then, I had this crazy idea that Kyle and I could take the kids ourselves...all eight of them. Thankfully, Melissa went along with it, and entrusted her children to us for the afternoon. 

When the trip came to a close, we weren't ready to leave! I am so grateful for our time there, for my amazing sister-in-law who hosted all of us, and for the memories we shared with our friends and family. Until our next trip to Washington, we truly love you all!