Last week was full of friends and family, just like any Thanksgiving holiday should be. It started off with a Pre-Thanksgiving luncheon with some dear friends: Mable Williams, Myrtle Alexander, Mary Pickett, Emily Wagner and her friend Nina. It was lovely to take the opportunity to get together as friends and enjoy a good meal. Scotland was the star of the show. (Babies work wonders for filling in the pauses in conversation.) 

When we moved to Cleveland my one complaint with our ward was the lack of elderly. Thanks to parents who made visiting the elderly a big part of my childhood I have a deep love and respect for these wise members of our society. I couldn’t have been more thrilled when I was asked to visit three such women in our ward. I learn so much from visiting them. Picture above is Myrtle. I’ve blogged about her before, but I wanted to share a story that happened about a month ago. When I visit Myrtle with Scotland I call her Grandma Myrtle. Last month there was a Saturday morning when I had signed up for a race and Tom ended up being called in. A few days before I was talking to Myrtle and she asked who was going to watch Scotland. I admitted that I hadn’t found someone yet, that I had just found out Tom wouldn’t be home. She offered to watch him. I thanked her, but wary that current health conditions and a multiplicity of small glass objects within Scotland’s reach would make watching him a challenge for her, I told her I was sure I could find someone. Realizing herself that such a task might be difficult she didn’t push it, but said: “Well, how about this, if you get in a pinch and can’t find someone to watch him. I’ll watch my grandson.”  She had never laid claim to herself as his adopted grandmother before, in fact I had worried that perhaps she didn’t like me calling her Grandma Myrtle. This, however, confirmed the opposite. We’re so grateful to have her in our lives. Last week she taught me to iron- Tom’s shirts have never looked so sharp! 
 
My dear friend Meg came in town from Texas on Tuesday. She, Claire and I are best friends from our Master’s program at CIM. It was so good to be back together. We ran on Wednesday, and then did yoga on Thursday then Meg and I hung out and went to an exhibition at the Art Museum that afternoon. Then they popped in Saturday night. Having her back reminded me of how grateful I am for her friendship, and how much I miss her. I truly have the best friends. (I REALLY want to get a good picture of the three of us. Next time girls.) Walking to the art museum together I had this deep feeling of gratitude for friends that inspire the best in me. 
 

After two friend-filled days Wednesday and Thursday, Friday I prepped for Trevor and Lauren and their family to come into town that night. I was even more excited than usual knowing that Scotland would get to spend time with his cousins. He was already asleep by the time they arrived Friday night, but he was delighted to find them at our house Saturday morning. He couldn’t stop smiling as he looked from Dallin to Bryce. He kept chuckling when he looked at Dallin. Throughout the weekend you would often see him just watching them, smiling. We filled the weekend as we usually do with games, outdoor fun, and plenty of food. 

Despite the chilly weather, we ventured out to a park my friends rave about- Brexley Park. We were so glad we did. The kids enjoyed the extensive playground. I’m always amazed at how resilient children are to adverse weather. The drops of rain and chilly breeze didn’t even phase them. Scotland tried the swings for the first time, and LOVED the sandbox. 

This sand had been brought here from another location, but it’s cramped corners didn’t bother him. He could have played in here for hours. 
   
Tom is these boys’ super hero. They adore him, for good reason. He will play games with them endlessly. This time we had fun making up games with the random board games we have picked up at garage sales, and then never played. Uno attack was a lively favorite.

Scotland was similarly thrilled to get so much time with Dad.


Despite the blur I love this shot of uncle and nephew in their sunday best.
It’s such a blessing to have family nearby.