{don't} gooooo away!

Grandpa Layne reading James his favorite Halloween book

Ghosts at our house don't say "Boo!" They say: "Goooo away!" It's a line from a famous Halloween book. You might have heard of it. It's a Mickey Mouse classic called The Haunted House, and it is a Sybrowsky family favorite. Grandpa Layne is the best at reading this special book. And he'll do it on any grandchild's whim. Just one of his many thoughtful acts that make him "the best father-in-law ever." (Watch Jordan, I'm going to prove it.)

After our jaunt down to Utah, Grandpa Layne drove us back to Seattle on his way up for a business trip. Convenient, huh? He convinced us to leave in the evening and drive all night so the little guys could sleep. It proved to be a great option, even if there wasn't continuous sleeping. There was enough Scooby Doo and light saber pops to keep 'em quiet between long naps.

While Gramps was here, he worked his usual Layne magic. If you've read The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman, you'll understand what I mean when I say Layne's "love language" is Gifts. Not that he likes to receive gifts, but that he shows his love to others through gifts. But it's more than just spending money. It's sneaking out and filling up your gas tank during dessert, or leaving your favorite old-fashioned doughnuts and Coke on your doorstep. Layne's gifts are the most thoughtful, individual gifts you can imagine. You know that he knows you and is thinking about you by the way he bestows these little prizes, almost as if he has heard your own thoughts and longings from the inside. Nothing creepy. He just pays attention.

I know he is going to curse me for this (I'm betting we'll hear from him through the comments), but here is a sampling of his recent benevolence:

*Staying awake all night to drive us to Seattle, and then not napping for another 5 hours
*Giving up his peanut butter sandwich to Addy, who had refused his dinner earlier
*Surprise groceries while I was showering, including our favorite Danish seedless raspberry preserves and Cool Ranch Doritos
*100 baby medicine spoons (we do know a lot of people with kids, but I'm not sure we'll ever get rid of them all)
*Lemon cream pie
*A very cool Seattle Seahawks hat
*Dinner out every night (a rare treat for us!)
*A hotel room for Christian and I while he watched the boys overnight (first night away from the kids in 4 years!)
*An hour and a half at the McDonald's Playland
*A special trip for "green ice cream with chocolate chips" just before bedtime
*The bleeding skull candle that James has been eying for weeks
*Sponge Bob's Halloween--a new classic at our house
*The Frankenstein mask that has become James' second skin
*Diet Cokes and limes
*Incredible walking sticks
*An awesome wasabi green duffel
*Twin mattresses for the boys' bunk beds
*Two hours helping Cree put the bunk beds together (and taking them apart and putting them back together)
*Salmon, filet mignon, and pumpkin pie from Costco for our Sunday dinner (he wasn't even there to enjoy it!)
*Whipping cream and powdered sugar, even though I told him I already had it
*The Halloween issue of Martha Stewart Living--a seasonal must-have
*Amazing tickets to a Sea Hawks game next month for the guys

I know, you other grandparents are thinking, "How can I compete with that?" The truth is, you can't, and you shouldn't! This is Layne's way of showing us his love, and you all have your own ways that we treasure equally. (Be patient, you'll all get your own blog tribute eventually.) But we want Layne to know how very much we appreciate him, and how lucky we are to have him in our lives. He is truly one-of-a-kind. From the Danish ramblings at midnight to the eyebrow rubbing on the couch, the Coke in the freezer episodes, Law & Order marathons, and famous spaghetti, the no-training marathon running and late-night McDonald's runs, this man is as endearing as they come. Even if you hadn't bought us a single thing while you were here, Layne, we would have been just as thrilled to have you. And don't think I forgot about that promised buttermilk pie with blackberry sauce (okay I did, but then I remembered)--we'll make sure you get your own when you come back in November. You earned it. (How'd I do, Jord?)

utah usuals

We've only been able to visit Utah a few times since we left almost a year and a half ago (I know, can you believe it's been that long?). But we've started some rituals that make it something to look forward to. Here is an overview of our trip and some of our favorite "usuals."

The Drive. This year Our Dad couldn't join us, but I wanted to drive A) to save money (Addy is 2 and we have to buy him a ticket now!), and B) so I could bring home a huge table, lamp, and other various items that were in storage at my parents' house. Grandma Holly could not stand the thought of me driving 13+ hours with two crazy monkeys, so she flew up to drive out with us. How incredibly generous! This is not a fun thing to do! She proved to be invaluable. In less than an hour we had already stopped twice. Once for barf, once for potty. Then there was the usual freak-out-attacks by James every two minutes (this time it was because his pillow wasn't staying how he wanted it to). And I swear we fiddled with the DVD player 50 times. Luckily Mom got us a book on CD to listen to which made the drive go faster. It took us 15 hours to do it, but I'm sure it would have been even longer if I had been alone. We love Hamma Holly!


Haircuts by Uncle Cody. Seriously, this man is amazing. If you're looking for a new stylist in Utah, contact me and I'll get you his number. He's the best. Plus, as a family benefit, he always finds time to cut my hair and the boys' hair while we're there on a tight schedule, usually on Sunday evening or late at night. What a swell guy! We don't like anyone else to touch our hair!


St. George Trip. In October this means marathon, but we usually get down there any time of year we can because it is our favorite place on earth. I don't care if I just drove 15 hours, I'll hop in the car for 4 more to go to St. George anytime! Our SG usuals include eating out, shopping, swimming, reading or just staring out at the golf course, watching movies, and sleeping. We just like being lazy together. This trip was no exception, and we got to see Dan, Sara, Sam, and Lucy as an added bonus! Plus the birthday party (thanks for all the great presents!)--both sides of our family were there, which was such a blessing (but we really missed Our Dad!). Thanks to Grandma Holly and Grandpa Brent for another great excursion!



Hanging out with the Keys kids. What happens when you put two monkeys with three Keys kids? Chaos, clowning, and crazy capers, of course! They have such a great time together. Playing Scooby Doo (Grandpa Layne, you can be Velma!), looking for bugs to suck up in the bug vacuum, or just running in circles laughing hysterically--it's all good. Wish these guys could play more often. Thanks to Grandma Jode for watching them ALL while Peen and I both had our hair done. :)


Hitting Tai Pan Trading, Interior Elements, and Rod Works. There is just NOTHING like these stores (or their prices) in Seattle. This trip I got to help Lind find some more cute stuff for her new house (which is darling I might add). My mom even took the boys for me one day so I could shop in peace! Thanks!


Sunday Dinner at Sybrowskys. We miss the regular Sunday dinners with our families, and we usually work one in (even if it means double duty) while we're there. I love sitting around after a great meal talking and laughing, eating way too much dessert (because Jody always makes the best treats!), and perusing "the ads" with T.


It was good to get home to Christian, our routine, and our friends, but there is always something difficult in leaving. Like we're moving away all over again. Knowing we won't be able to just stop by and see Grandma or Grandpa anytime we want. Not being able to ask makeup or hair advice of Lind. Thinking of the time our kids will miss being with their cousins. I miss the colors of my mountains, the red rock and palm trees, the sparkling snow when the sun shines in winter. The temples and scrapbook stores within ten minutes of everywhere. Cafe Rio. I stood in the doorway of my old bedroom as my parents packed the car, breathing in so many memories and experiences still clinging to that room, though the carpet and paint have changed, and I felt a strange link between my present self and the fifteen-year-old version. The place where I became who I am. The people who remind me who that is. And the person I fell in love with there who I'd follow anywhere. I knew as I stood in that doorway that no matter where we end up, Utah will always be my home.

Thanks for a great trip, everyone!

addy is two cute

Happy 2nd Birthday, Adam!

Addy, Ads, Adamadoo, Adaroosky, Adirondack, A-Rod, V-Rod, Mr. Baby. This kid makes me so happy. He's feisty to be sure, but he is sweet and silly, too. Nothing makes me happier than his "Mama" in my ears. He is the best snuggler, especially just after he wakes up or just before bed. He takes the most amazing naps (willingly!), and his laugh is highly contagious. He stands his ground when he doesn't want to eat something or is tired of being tortured by "Jaes." He's a climber and a jumper, an eternal daredevil. He always thinks you're talking to him, and can carry on quite the conversation on the "hone." And then there's the eyelashes. But my favorite thing about two is that he's not yet three--I have one more year of my sweet Ads to enjoy. Happy birthday, Baby!

george is four

Happy Birthday, James-man!

He's lost his baby cheeks, but he hasn't lost his sweetness, his goofiness, or his melt-you smile. I can't believe how long ago four years seems, or how fast it's moved. Half-way through med school, on the way to stay-at-home-mom, and 900 miles away you were born, James. You are a dreamer and a charmer, a thinker and a poet. You make me hopeful and terrified at the same time as I think about the future. You are not a baby anymore, but you still want me to snuggle you and kiss your ow-ies all better, and that's exactly what I need right now. You amaze me every single day. I love you, mister!