Red Letter Week

One of the best weeks of the year was July 20 - July 29.  (I know it is actually 9 days and not a week, but best nine days of the year sounds stupid.)

Chad, Megan, Bree, Mason, and Lincoln arrived on Friday, July 20th.  Some of our fun activities were going to the farmer's market, swimming in the creek at Schermerhorn, learning about solids/liquids/gasses via some explosive science demos, working on a 1000 piece puzzle, watching some HGTV and Olympics,  getting a pedicure, checking out Pittsburg pool, enjoying some of Megan's chocolate peanut butter cupcakes (MMMMMmmmmm), and having an adult date night.

Saturday evening (July 21st):
Mike and I drove up to Kansas City to pick up Tucker from the airport.  Although he had only been gone 2 1/2 weeks, it felt much longer.  I had forgotten to bring the flight information - and was just going on memory that the Southwest flight came in about 10pm.  Unfortunately, there weren't any flights arriving at exactly 10pm... I couldn't remember if his flight went from LAX to Denver or to SLC.  I didn't know what gate to wait at AND to make matters worse, there wasn't anyone to ask.  Seriously... do airports just run themselves???  I was extremely relieved when we saw the Mawbys who were there to pick up their daughter, Melia, who was on Tucker's flight.  When Tucker walked out the door, I almost didn't recognize him.  He was significantly tanner and thinner.  I couldn't quit smiling and couldn't wait to hear all about his trip - which was wonderful.  (He will be posting about it soon.)

Sunday (July 22nd):
Henry was ordained to the office of a deacon in the Aaronic priesthood.  It was such a treat to have extended family here.  After church we went into the Bishop's office for the ordination.  Henry was ordained by Mike, and in the circle was Uncle Chad, Tucker, Bishop Hoffman, and Brother Bourgeous (the YM counselor over the deacons).

Monday (July 23rd):
Schermerhorn Park

Bree

Uncle Mike with Mason

Megan and Lincoln

Uncle Mike with Lincoln

Tuesday (July 24th):
Road trip to Kansas City to pick up Taysom.  When we arrived at the airport, the parking lot was full.  So Mike dropped off Henry and I to find Taysom while he and Chad circled around.  Taysom had texted us earlier in the day asking for prayers as she had been feeling sick to her stomach.  I wasn't sure what to expect.  But Taysom walked through the door with her beautiful full smile and then immediately teared up when she saw Henry.  Priceless moment as a mama!

After getting her bags, we went out to the cars in the drop off zone.  Listening to Taysom's laugh as she hugged everyone was music to my ears.

While in Kansas City we visited Hallmark's Kaleidoscope, the Lego store (for Henry and Mason), and then Chad and Megan treated us to a delicious BBQ dinner at Oklahoma Joe's.

Lincoln has the best ride

Bree busy creating

Working on Grandma Wallace's birthday card

Fishy kisses

Sisters

Taysom's home!!  What is up with Ilah?

Wednesday (July 25th):
Young Womanhood Recognition night for Aly Hoffman.

Aly with her mom and dad (Bishop Hoffman)

Megan helped Ilah, Taysom, and I make some beautiful cakes for the evening. (Never would have attempted this without Megan.)

and they were delicious

Thursday (July 26th):
Girl's Day - pedicures, shopping, and dinner by Megan

stole this one from Megan's blog

Bree knows how to shop and strut.  I snapped some photos of her modeling :)

Strike a pose.

Check out those boots!

Sparkle

Had to try the hat

Sorry, this is sideways, but it is definitely worth a watch.

 
Friday (July 27th):
Pittsburg Pool (pictures taken by Megan - see Megan's blog)

Bree and Tucker

Mike and Mason

Lincoln

Saturday (July 28th):
Chad, Megan, Mike and I went to see Batman, the Dark Knight Rises at the regular theater.  (Yep, that's right, it was a special occasion.)  Everyone enjoyed the movie - we even watched all of the credits to see if there were any other additions.  (In case you are wondering, there aren't.) 
For dinner we went to Japanese Steak House.  This is a rare treat for the MJ Wallaces.  Food was delicious and our chef kept us entertained ("first night").  We finished the night by checking out Cupcakes By Liz, a local cupcakery.  We didn't get there until almost closing time, and many of the cupcakes were sold out - like the chocolate peanut butter.  Megan bought four different ones to try and I purchased two others.  At home, we tried a taste of several.  They were good.  But Megan's chocolate peanut butter cupcakes were even better.  Yummy!

Sunday (July 29th):
Said goodbye to Chad and Megan and kids... So happy that we were able to get together.
Headed to church early for Ilah to get her patriarchal blessing.  Absolutely beautiful. 
Henry passed the sacrament for the first time.
Taysom's first Sunday back at the home ward.
Henry spoke in church for the first time.  Only two speakers on the program - Henry and Frankie Araya (leaving for a mission in a couple of days).  Henry took 11 and a half minutes.  The only time he wasn't looking out at the audience was when he read an excerpt from a conference talk.  He prepared it on his own, and wasn't going to write anything down, but to relieve my fears, he jotted down some bullet points.  It was great.
Then to cap it all off Tucker got to talk to the youth about his Tonga trip as part of the 5th Sunday combined lesson by the bishopric.  Loved hearing his testimony about service and feeling the spirit.

How did I get so lucky to be mom to these kids?  Truly blessed.