A Very Quick Trip to Billings - Rhiana Bday

It is Rhiana's birthday today and yesterday around 3 in the afternoon I thought it would be fun to fly up and do something fun for her and let her know that she is loved.  I arrived in Billings around midnight, was picked up by Becca when she got off work around 1, and crashed until 7.  Becca and I then stopped at the store for a few supplies that I needed and she dropped me off at Rhiana's a little after 8.  I now have about 3 hours to put something together to surprise her during her lunch.

When I walk in, Elena is so excited that it warms my heart.  The first thing she tells me is, "today is my mommy's birthday."  I say, "yes it is and that is why I am here."  I then explain to her what we are going to do and we get to work.  She is my constant little shadow as we go from task to task.  Malea is only around for about 5 minutes and then heads to bed for a nap.  Dang.

First things first.  We have flowers that need to be taken care of and so with some help from Elena, I locate a vase and we make the food and cut the flowers.  I then let Elena do all the arranging and she does a great job of it.

Next thing we need to do is start the fruit pizza.  Rhiana has always requested this for her birthday instead of cake -- I am hoping she still feels the same way.  We slice the cookies for the crust and put it in the overn.  Now to make the "sauce" and put it in the refrigerator to chill.  That means it is time to lick the beater.  Of course that job falls to Miss Elena.

Now to start cutting the fruit so that we can put this pizza together as soon as the crust cools.  Again, my great little helper gets started but she gets sidetracked easily by eating the fruit as quickly as she is putting it on the cookie crust.  I don't blame her -- it all looks so good.  She finds the can of mandarin oranges and as soon as we have all we need on the pizza -- well she finishes that can right off.

As soon as the pizza is finished, we set everything up and take a quick picture.  Mister has sent a framed picture of the girls along as our gift and everything looks wonderful.  I sure hope she likes it.

Now that the work is done, I have about an hour to play with Elena before Matt picks me up.  She asks me to go out back and play tag.  Really?  Goodness.  Okay, let's go but I have to take the camera along.

We grab a couple of pictures together and then she takes my camera and wanders around taking pictures with it.  I thought I bought her a camera -- hmmm.  As awful as this picture is, I kept it because Elena took it of me and that is a rare treat.

After a few rounds of tag, I ask Missy if she will pose for a couple of shots for me.  She is more than happy to oblige.

Brittanie, the girls' nanny, wants to curl her hair to get her ready for Mommy.  Once that is finished, we go back out to play again and grab a few more pictures.

I am not sure how helpful I am with keeping her hair nice.  She laid down and I kept reaching down to grab her; resulting in the next three pictures in sequence.

LOVE THIS ONE!

Unfortunately, my time is over and Rhiana is on her way home so that Elena can do her birthday surprise.  Matt picks me up, takes me over to his house for a quick lunch and a few minutes with Hyrum and Zyra before taking me back to the airport for a 1:30 flight.

Zyra poses for me when I take the camera out.  And I do mean poses.  One would think she is a model.  Way too cute.

Is that not just the best smile ever?

It is also Matt and Becca's anniversary, so I give a little gift to them as well and after a wonderful lunch, I am on my way.

I land back in Dallas 24 hours after I left.  Whew.  Mister picks me up and since it is a Tuesday, we make a stop down at the Bottle Shop for empanadas and a beer.  Much needed.  It is time to wind down.  I have been a moving unit since I left but had so much fun and such quality time with Elean.  I cannot wait to do it another time and perhaps get that one on one with a different grandchild.

Peaches!!!

We have beautiful peaches!  I would love to leave them on the tree longer, but it is about half and half right now between us and the squirrels/birds.  The most annoying part is that the birds are not content to eat the one they poke the hole into -- oh no -- they must move on to another one and poke a fresh hole.  I guess we pull our share and let them ripen in the house.  The ones that are ready are oh so good though!  So very sweet.

Time With Bekah - Photo Shoot Day 3

It is Bekah's last day and she has promised me a photo shoot.  Now, you need to understand what an endeavor this will be for her.  She absolutely hates for me to take her picture but has agreed to give it a whirl.  Since she didn't come prepared for this, we found a dress I used to be able to wear (about 30 pounds ago) and a pair of sandals.  Soon, with hair done, she is ready for the day.  We head over to the Arboretum and get started.

I love that I get to have this time with her.  She is such a delight and the moments are such a long time apart.  She is truly a delight to be around and I have loved our talks and fun times together.

Now, enjoy the shoot.  The only explanation I will give is on the following pictures.  Mister asked her to put her back to him and then twirl around rapidly.  She did, but almost growled while doing it -- made us both laugh.

Mister wants us to take a picture together.  This again proves difficult and we have to make it happen just a little.

Here she is asked to be contemplative.  I guess this is what Mister looks like when he is thinking.  Awesome.

Perhaps one of my favorites -- shows personality to the max.

Ah yes, contemplative.

This has been like pulling teeth, but is over now and we make a stop at White Rock for a drink.  Everyone wants hot chocolate or coffee when it is 100 degrees out, right?

Once we are back home, I give Bekah a box of things we are getting rid of and there is an e-reader in there.  She is pretty happy with it and says she will keep it safe and away from her brothers.  Is that possible?

The last thing we do before packing up is make a meringue treat to take along with us and share.  We make little meringue shells, fill them with w wonderful cream filling and top with some raspberries and mint.  Don't they look wonderful?



They taste as good as they look --- I am loving it.

Time to go --- and once again -- asleep within moments.  We sure do wear these kids out.  Either that or we bore them to death.  I am not sure which, but sure do love our time with them.  Can't wait to do it again.

We meet in Hillsboro and then drive back to Dallas alone for a change.  It has been a hectic couple of weeks, but oh so fun.  We have a small break and then Jared comes to visit.

We'd better start planning.