Gettin' down to business....

Headed to Mendon this weekend - there were several hundred things on the list of things that needed done so we made sure we took a hard working troupe with us.  Del, myself, Mandy, Baby Jake and Katie piled up in the car - with only one stop for a McDonalds Coke (for the co-pilot) and off we went. It was a beautiful day in the Valley - it was perfect company in the car.  This was Katie's first trip to Cache Valley - and meeting Ryan's extended family there - including Grandma - who was excited all 10 times we introduced Katie to her during the day.... (: 

There was a roof to take off... because the new one is excited to get put on....

(Thanks to Eric and some wonderful townspeople, it went pretty fast)

I love this little house on the corner

There were flowers to plant - everywhere possible,

and great help to do just that - (chick power)

Del was stuck - er - had the opportunity to fix everything

that had an engine on it... and then some...

Jake was busy moving all the toys around

and making sure everyone kept busy...

Then the garden had to be planted...

This year we decided to plant Grandma

to see if she would grow a foot or two....

(yes I frightened Katie in my

shorts and tank top sorry...)

They had to step off the spacing for the seeds,

I thought they were actually the prettiest

things I've seen in the garden in long time!

Mandy and Katie each got to plant their own row

of corn... but it also meant using Great Grandpa Hill's

'culivator' as Grandpa Fred called it.... This was a riot to watch.

Of course we had to start up the fire pit and

feast on serious hot dogs...

Mom and Eric were waiting in line for

their hot dog sticks - we are SO civilized...

Jake made sure there was plenty of wood for

the fire, such great help is so hard to find.

Everyone loved Katie - she worked so hard and the flowers

she planted were beautiful.  I personally am concerned about

just one little tiny issue... she likes tomatoes.... eh...

that's an entirely different blog TBA.

(other than that - she's obviously perfect!)

This day was about helping my mom - but it meant so much more to me than that.  Ryan is staying with Katie's parents in California during his internship - they are amazing and so full of love and support for him - it's appreciated more than they'll ever know.  Today - we got to have Katie, and enjoy her spirit and watch her kind heart doing service.  I didn't want her to be alone - and I was being kind of selfish wanting her for the day to meet the Northern Utah Family.  I loved that Mandy and Jake were there - they already know of Mendon's magic, and you've never seen harder workers than were there today.  Jake LOVED playing in the yard, and eating dirt, and just being excessively cute.  Mandy never ever stopped - she was crazy busy all day.  It was great to have Del there - he doesn't get there very often - and he put my mom's heart to ease about a few mechanical issues that bugged her.  I was grateful for my brother Eric for working so hard to take care of the roof and the car and being so cute to Mandy, Katie and Jake.  I appreciated Terri, my sister in law - who throughout the day fed us and made sure that we didn't plant too many crookneck squash.  We rewarded her by planting a Banana Squash just for her and Mike.  The ride home was my favorite - we all talked and laughed and giggled with Baby Jake (who was perfect the entire day and LOVED his Grandma)(duh of course).  It was a day of service - for each other and for our souls.  A good day to blog about - we'll keep you updated on whether Katie's corn comes up better than Mandy's or the other way around... Terri will watch the squash.  Grandma will forget we planted the garden.

Thanks everyone - you made my life sweeter today with your time - and your love.

Del - Mandy - Jake - Katie

Eric n Terri

Here's to many more fire pit moments

Please do not pass the tomatoes