Sunday morning, we got up early and drove up to Alpine to Marcie’s parents house. That is where Atticus was being blessed.
Marcie’s mom was so welcoming and friendly. We instantly felt comfortable and at home. She had set up a delicious breakfast buffet for anyone who wasn’t fasting, and the kids were over the moon.
It was such a comfortable atmosphere, Charlotte didn’t even feel the need to get dressed! 🙂
And here is the star of the morning, all dressed up in his blessing finery, sewn by Marcie.
Jamis made the funny comment that usually at baby blessings, everyone just kind of puts a token hand in. But Atticus was of such a generous size that he was counting on everyone helping to hold him up for the entire blessing. haha!
And here is the entire group, including cousin Morgan. We haven’t seen him since he was a young boy, living in Morgan Hills. Chris and I took a trip up the California coast before children and stayed with his Aunt Julie and Uncle Paul and their kids. That was a fun trip, and it was great to see him all grown up now.
As soon as we were done taking photos, we gathered up our kids, said our goodbyes and headed out the door. Joey was also blessing Dexter that morning in Salt Lake, and we needed to get up there. Fortunately, their sacrament meeting was last, so we just had time to make it. On the drive up, we happened to catch up to Lance and Heather, also coming to the blessing, and followed them the rest of the way to the building. 🙂
It was the only Sunday in America my kids weren’t freezing. The air conditioning had broken down, and the chapel was nice and cozy. Everyone was dying, but we felt right at home! After the service, we went to Joe and SunDee’s house for lunch and to admire the baby some more.
Sun is so fun to talk to. I really wish we lived closer so I could hang out with her more often. And Chris totally hogged Dexter almost the whole time we there. 
Sun didn’t realize he was such a baby lover. 🙂 Her parents and a few siblings were there as well. Her dad is such a nice guy, my kids immediately took to him. 
Thanks for letting us borrow your grandpa, Riley and Charlie!
And Chris was still holding Dexter.
Such a precious little boy.
There was a delicious lunch, and the kids took turns snacking and playing.
I love the polar opposite choices of weapon here. And they have never even heard of Cowboys and Aliens. 🙂
Just because this shot turned out so great, here is another one of Charlie.
Notice your cross stitch on the wall, Mom? It looks really good!
The kids had a grand old time with Grandpa. Sarah had control of the camera so I didn’t even know this was happening until I looked through the photos later. 
And no, that isn’t photoshopped. Riley took a piece of meat, all on his own, and is eating it. Well, he licks it and sucks on it a bit, but still that is progress.
I know it’s blurry, but again, I wasn’t the photographer.
Nick spent his time looking at this cool book Sun had gotten Joe as a present for some recent holiday. (I can’t remember which one.)
I want to get a copy. I love fun poetry like this.
Alexandra really gets into being a cowgirl when she’s around Charlie. He must really know how to sell it. 
There was one thing that happened while we were there, that still makes me smile every time I think about it. So, a little background. Riley doesn’t really know me, so he always keeps me at arms length. Sun explains it very nicely that most strangers he meets that are female are doctors, and that equals pain and discomfort in his mind. 🙁 So I had a goal to try and get him to trust me during this trip. I was sitting in the living room and Riley came over, took my hand, led me back into his room and got out some toys so we could play together! I was so excited and honored. He likes me, he really likes me! He also showed me how to play a game on his iphone, but I am not so good with that sort of thing.
That is one memory I will treasure forever. Of course, then I had to disappear back to Switzerland, so the next time I see him I will have to start all over. But it will be worth it. I love you, Riley!
As soon as Riley dismissed me, the kids got all crazy and tried to kill Grandpa.
Riley loved it.
Look at that grin!
Since we were so close, we decided to go visit my brother David’s grave. Joe’s family came with us. It took us a while to find it, since we were looking along the fence edge, but it was actually along the street. The nice man working in the office looked through all the old files and found the approximate location for us. Wish we had asked him first, instead of walking around for 20 minutes first.
I wanted the kids to try and understand a little bit better what a great promise it is that we can be a family forever. And to help them have some sort of a connection to David, who is an important part of our family, and shouldn’t be forgotten.
The girls decorated his grave as nicely as they could, given that we hadn’t brought any flowers with us.
I think they picked them from the fountain decorations on the cemetery grounds. But Joe said that now he knows where, and how close it is, he will be sure and visit more often. That little visit is one of my most tender memories from the whole trip. So glad we could come.