Special Time with Dallin & Janelle's Family

A dream come true...a weekend with Dallin & Janelle's family. Yes, we were so blessed to be with them. We flew to Chicago on Friday, Feb. 21, and Dallin picked us up that evening, then drove us to Notre Dame, arriving at their home about midnight. We returned home by noon on Tues., Feb. 25th. It was a fast, but absolutely wonderful time with them.

We were grateful for the sweet experience of going back there for Crismon to ordain Dallin as a High Priest and to be there for him to be set apart as the 2nd counselor in their Bishopric of the Notre Dame Ward. If we went back there for that 15 minutes only, it would have definitely been worth the trip. Standing in the circle were Miles Andrews, he and his wife, Stacy, are close friends. He is the High Councilman over their ward. Bro Johnson is the first counselor, then Pres. Hurst, the 2nd counselor in the Stake Presidency. Unfortunately, the Bishop was out of town.

There was a very special spirit in the stake president's office that Sunday during this memorable occasion. Dallin will be a wonderful addition to that Bishopric. Much was said in his blessing by his Dad about him presiding. We're thankful for this good son who has been protected through his life from serious physical danger, who is liked by everyone because he is genuinely kind to all, young and old, who has been blessed with a quick mind and deep spiritual insights, and who has honored his parents all his days. We love you, Dallin! We're so thankful you married well. Janelle is a terrific Mommy, and you both have blessed us with three adorable granddaughters, Dorothy, Ruby and Norah.

We delighted in the opportunity to hug, kiss, play, and enjoy these darling girls. We couldn't get enough of their cuteness! They kept us entertained every minute we were with them. Now we are going through withdrawals. It's painful. We wish we could be closer and enjoy them more often.

We were sorry that Norah had a little scrap on her cheek that she got the day before we came, but it came in handy in helping to tell the twins apart. Their personalities are really coming out and it gets easier to tell by their sweet natures. In the pictures, Norah is in the purple "Tutu." The milder temperatures were a welcome treat for us while we were there compared to their terribly cold winter. Sweet Dorothy said, "I'm trying to be positive until spring comes, but this has been such a long, cold winter with so much snow. I can't wait for it to get warmer." She didn't want to complain, but she is anxious to feel warm sunshine and be able to play outside. We were glad she stayed home from school on Monday to be with us.

Of course, they loved playing games on our IPads, or IPhones. It was nice that we were able to stay in the guest apartment right across the hall from them. This meant that the girls could come easily over to our apartment and play, and we had a nice place to stay and be close to them.

The girls sing and dance almost all day long. They know all the words to "Sound of Music," "Frozen," and many other musicals. Sunday evening they watched "Singing In the Rain," and then Monday they were singing and dancing to that throughout the day. So cute!

Among other things we took the girls to the mall to the indoor play area. Ruby is especially animated, and she is singing and dancing wherever we went. Dorothy is such a good big sister to the twins. She is a good helper. No matter where we went, Norah would walk in the door and immediately toss off her coat. She's a kick. Oh, they are cute. Have I mentioned that?

The girls especially adored their Grandpa (as all the grandkids, do). I hope I'm a good second, but I love how he is so cute with them.

They twins were mesmerized at the Disney store watching "Frozen." They had great fun at a museum pretending their were grocery shopping, at the dentist, working in a garden, and dressing up. We had a good time at the "Chocolate Cafe" where there was a play structure and then hot chocolate, or course. Lunch at McDonald's, and a visit to their interesting library where the twins "performed" again before heading out the door.

Janelle and Dallin served us such delicious meals. It was fun to see how Dallin has become quite a cook. We loved his yummy granola, homemade wheat bread, Jewish Chocolate Babka, and a delicious dish called "Braised Eggs with Lamb, Tahini & Sumac" from the Jerusalem Cookbook from Seth & Tiffany. I had to include the picture of Dallin at the end. He has a houseful of girls! He handles it well. We got caught up with Dallin's progress on his Dissertation. He is coming along well and should be finished by May of 2015. Janelle whipped together some long awaited sewing projects while we were away with the girls. She is very creative, sewing many dresses and costumes for the girls, Dorothy's backpack and fun Christmas gifts. The girls showed us their reverence during FHE as we shared a few stories with them, then fun playing "Hide & Seek" in the dark in their tiny apartment. It was also wonderful to have Dallin & Janelle show us pictures and relate the great trip they had to Europe last summer.

Ruby & Norah performing.