Thank you Mom and Dad

I don't even know how to thank my parents. They showed the kids and I so much love on our trip that I don't ever want to forget it.

Mom- thank you for

1. Preparing for our visit with books, toys, new games, coloring books, etc.
2. Making Valentine's day so special for the kids with gift bags, and carefully and perfectly chosen cards
3. Waiting to decorate for Valentine's day with the kids because you know they like it so much (and for the new decorations you purchased).
4. Making the kids chocolate covered strawberries for Valentines' and making heart shaped brownies with them! They love helping in the kitchen.
5. Calling the airport ahead of time to make sure Steve could get a helper pass. You are always a step ahead making sure that every minute of my trip is stress free.
6. Giving me a week of no chores!!! I did not cook, clean, bathe the kids, or do laundry all week. You managed to do all of that while still working. I enjoy feeling "taken care of" as most of my time it is the other way around.
7. Spending EVERY free minute with the kids; playing cards, doing puzzles, coloring, throwing a football in the backyard with Elijah, etc.
8. Taking the kids to Chuck E Cheese and being a kid with me. I will always laugh when I think of us jumping up and down screaming like we just won a real Vegas jack pot.
9. The beach trip and black bathing suit - we will keep that a private joke!
10. Sitting in the backseat of the Camry, wedged between two car seats, on all the many car rides.


Dad

1. Going grocery shopping almost every day to accommodate our food preferences
2. Driving, driving, driving. Thank you for insisting that I didn't need a rental car. I appreciate not having to worry about driving in traffic, getting lost, and dealing with kids fighting in the back of the car. I appreciate the hundreds of miles and many hours you spent driving me around Southern California
3. Thank you for showing patience when Elijah was a "fuss bug", the kids were on their fifth rendition of the ABC song in the back of the car, and Elijah had accumulated "four hundred minutes" of naughty time.
4. Taking us out to eat constantly. It is such a treat for our family as we are on a budget and don't get to eat out regularly.
5. Thanks for stocking the house with wine. I enjoyed my nightly glass while finishing an entire gardening book.
6. Making a special Valentine's dinner with my favorite salad dressing and garlic bread! Yumm...
7. Going to the park for three hours with the kids (I don't even know if I could handle that!)
8. Putting up with the constant messes that the kids (and I) make and the lack of the usual order of your home.

Most importantly mom and dad, THANKYOU for loving my kids and me so unselfishly and unconditionally! Besides my own family here in Oregon, you are the greatest treasures in my life and I value you more than you could EVER know.