Nothing better than a visit from friends!

WE had some dear friends come and visit us a week ago. If it weren't for the distance from pretty much all of our loved ones and friends, I think I could live here forever. As it is, I try not to think about all the people I miss back in Utah. So it was a rare treat to stay up late again talking and laughing with our friends. I could almost forget that we lived thousands of miles away. We love you Simonsens!!! This was the first time that Anna had really met Boston and Lincoln since she was born. As parents, we have been planning her marriage to one of these boys since her conception (we want cool in-laws too you know). So Anna was a bit trepidatious on their first date-- and it was a trip to the temple no less....talk about pressure!
however, Anna got over her shyness, and soon Boston and she were hitting it off. They decided to go for a ride in the country on their two steeds...

then they decided to go out to a movie together...

But the trip was not just about Anna and Boston's romance. IT was about spending time with people who have seriously contributed to our happiness in life. I truly know that God sent us this family to be our friends. Wherever we live in heaven, I want the Simonsens to be on the same block!

It wouldn't be the true Seattle experience without a couple of days of cool temperature and rain in the middle of August. In the middle of months of great sunny weather, our dear friends got the three days of rain. It let up just enough for us to take them to see some of Seattle's best sights.

We finished our trip with a picnic in the park (because everything tastes better when eaten outside). We had shrimp burgers, corn on the cob, fruit salad, and brownies made with canned black beans (they really tasted good even though I was hesitant in the beginning)

the view was fabulous. I love these lakes.

There was nothing super eventful with this trip. But that was the best part. What I remember most was just staying up late while our kids slept and talking. We played games, we discussed our beliefs in God, and we shared stories. And of course, we ate a lot of good food. Just like old times.