Baba Gochnour

April 22-May 4, 2009

Our final visitor after Jonah was born was my wonderful mother-in-law Suzanne. Baba Gochnour (Baba is "grandma" in Bulgarian, which is where John served his 2 year mission) she flew all the way from Burley, ID and she was so much help! She came to see this sweet little angel!

She was planning on coming April 21th-30th, but while she was here, we had the brilliant thought, "Why doesn't she stay an extra week and drive across the country with John?" So, she moved her flight and ended up driving with John to Albuquerque (where her parents live) and flew out of there. It worked out great for everyone.

My wonderful, talented, crafty mother-in-law made this beautiful wreath and gave it to me for Christmas. Not your ordinary wreath... so much cooler! It had toys, baby soaps and lotions, onsies, spoons, Q tips, socks, blankets and loads of diapers. It hung in the boy's room for months... until Jonah was born and John made me take it apart. He told me those size 1 diapers would do no good just hanging on the door. So we took it all apart, used the diapers, and are currently loving the toys. I'm still so sad we had to take it down :-(

We were so lucky that cousin Madisyn got to come to NC too. Suzanne watches Maddie during the week in Burley while Madisyn's mommy, Kyerin (John's sister) is finishing up school in SLC. So naturally, Maddie got to come. Jack LOVES her and they had such a ball together. First things first, we went to the park to get all their wiggles out. Maddie teaching Jack how to play "tigers".

Next, Madisyn teaches Jack how to play "dress up". A concept quite foreign considering most of his friends are boys...

I know I should be happy for daddys that are graduating law school, but can't you just leave your wife and kids for us to play with next year?!? We'll sure miss you Dallin, Soren, and Ezra!


We had to say good bye to all our law friends before everyone left for the summer (and some forever...) so we had a "Pantry Party Picnic" The rules stated, bring something you can fix with the things in your fridge/pantry. We were all trying to get rid of our food! (idea inspired from non less than the wonderful Micki Harris!)

Jonah bug just sits there so quietly and looks around at everyone walking around.

STRAWBERRY PICKING
We went to the wonderful Wallen Farms here in Durham NC and pick delicious strawberries. We mostly ate them fresh, but I did freeze a little jam to come home to at the end of the summer.

Madisyn won the prize for biggest strawberry! It doesn't look that big, but it was HUGE! Bigger than the palm of her 4 year old hand.

After we picked Strawberries, we dropped John off at campus to study for finals and we went to the park... and of course ate tonz of the strawberries we had just picked!

And Jonah just sat there, cross eyed, in his car seat! Oh newborns are so funny.

Strawberries+Park=bath time
This time he found the bar soap! Never know what that kid is gonna get into.

When we weren't playing, we were getting ready to leave for the summer. Jack choosing which of his clothes he wanted to take to California with us! The Saturday before we left for the summer, Suzanne took all the kids to a park for a few hours and John and I worked faster than lightening off. It's amazing how much work you can get done when there's no kids around!

Of course everyone that comes to visit us here in Durham, has to go to Duke Gardens. We went on a picnic there and fed the ducks.

While we where there, about 30 baby ducklings (more hiding behind the rock) came out of no where. They were so cute!

While Baba and Madisyn were in NC, Kyerin (Madisyn's mom) decided to move to South Carolina to find a job and be closer to her boyfriend John. So, we got a fun visit from John and Kyerin because they came to pick up Madisyn for the summer. Before they drove back to Florence, SC we went to the gardens...



best buds

Thanks for all your help Baba Gochnour!