Snow in June?! (Cheesiest title ever?)

June was bursting at the seams with family for us! The boys' Snow grandparents and great-grandma came to visit us for a week, and they were immediately followed (like six hours after leaving) by my Madsen family. I think there should always be a couple of extra adults around to give my boys more love and attention, but since that's not a possibility on this side of the country, I'll pretend I couldn't be happier how I am.

Grandma Cheri arrived just in time to see Josh's last soccer game of the season. We had a little team party afterward at a picnic table that was overflowing with sugar. That's Josh's wonderful Coach Tam in the pink.

The boys' favorite part of the party was the little golf cart Grandma found nearby. Here Jude is pretending to drive while Josh, of course, first asks what all the safety warnings mean on the dashboard. He's my cautious child. Jude is the opposite.

It was just lovely to have a few days with Grandma before the other grandparents came. Josh has such a sweet little bond with her. He even insists on snuggling while she's on the phone.

You can't see it here, but Cheri was wearing long jeans and usually a sweater or jacket every day. Even though June was a pretty hot month for us here, it's downright chilly compared to Arizona heat.

See -- hot enough for popsicles outside.

As soon as Grandpa got here, he took his usual spot on the floor. He's always wrestling or reading or throwing pillows or napping near his grandsons, and I LOVE that.

We were all so glad Josh had this chance to get to know his Great-Grandma Snow, known by Josh as "GG". She read book after book after book to him in this chair.

We celebrated Josh's and Matt's birthdays a little early so we could have a Snow party. I think somebody let this four-year-old party a little too hard, judging by the tipsy look on his face.

That's better.

Jude just loved being right next to all the action.

Birthday loot included a cool new Suns basketball outfit, red and blue Crocs, a soft polka dot blanket made of fabric Josh picked out, a big coloring/activity paper roll, a small blow up pool for the back yard, and a cute little nativity set from GG. 

Oh yeah and one other teensy tiny little thing from the grandparents...A TRAMPOLINE! He has jumped on it every single day since they set it up. Matt and I even went out there last night after the boys went to bed so we could do some real big kid jumps without fragile little people to worry about.

Matt's birthday dessert was an amazing blackberry apple crumb pie made by his grandma. Soooo good! He always chooses pie over cake.

 

Matt's birthday gifts were a garden hose from GG, some books and a big meat smoker from his parents, aaaand nothing from me because I was saving my gifts for his real birthday. (It was definitely not because I had nothing to give him yet...)

Oh no, Jude, did somebody spike your milk too??

Birthday dinner of chicken and veggie shishkabobs and Matt's spicy chicken wings, all grilled by himself. If you thought nobody likes to cook their own dinner on their birthday, you haven't met my Matt.

The next day we took the grandparents to Chippewa Nature Center. The boys liked seeing the animals and throwing rocks into the river.

Saturday we took them to the Farmer's Market. Grandpa bought Josh an apple cider slushy, which earned him big points. We showed them the Tridge, and couldn't leave without stopping by the splash park for a good soak.

Jude is at the stage where he wants to try on everyone's shoes, even if he already has some on.

The last night, Grandma brought out some big zapper tennis rackets that everyone had fun with in the yard. I had pictures, but sadly they disappeared into my computer somewhere.

The last day, before we left for church and the grandparents headed to the airport, we had to get a picture of all four generations on the same couch. Can you tell how much Josh loves rushed Sunday mornings?

We miss you Snows already. Thanks so much for coming all this way to visit!