Family

We are so very blessed to have such an amazing family.  Last weekend my sister Danielle flew in from New York for four days to help out and my brother Trevor drove in from San Antonio for the weekend.  They helped with the wash, putting together items for the baby's room, grocery shopping, running errands, installing ceiling fans, helping take care of Monkey....  They were AMAZING. 

 Trevor is assembling a bouncer for Alexis

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 Allen is busy putting together her stroller

 

 Now onto the highchair. 

Yes she won't need it for awhile but wanted to get as much done now as we can

 Danielle went to three grocery stores and pretty much bought them out of everything.

 She made us over 14 different dishes to freeze. Each dish has multiple servings and should last us for a long time. It was impressive to watch her work. She had multiple recipes going at once and didn't really stop for any breaks.  At one point she had some left over tomatoes and other veggies so she decided to make us a homemade pasta sauce.  It smelled amazing and I can't wait to try it. 

 Allen and Trevor got into the action

 Danielle in action

 I had to sit on the couch and observe. 

It was really hard but I was good and focused on letting my back heal. 

 

It was such a frenzy at the end we had to move Danielle's flight home to later in the day so we could get it all done.  She finished cooking at 4pm, packed her bags, made some snacks for the plane and we were on the road to the airport at 4:15pm.   

 

A few funny things that happened over the weekend....

 

They only sell liquor at a liquor store in TX.  I have not been able to find one near us so when Danielle was here we went to one in Houston. We needed to stock up on some Kahlua and Southern Comfort ---for Allen--assume you will know I am not drinking.  They charge you 5% more if you use a credit card.  So I sat in the car while Danielle went in to buy the items with all the cash in my wallet.  I felt like a teenager waiting while she used her fake ID to buy liquor (Mom and Dad I know you are reading this and I am just guessing this is how it would feel:)) She said she got some weird looks as she purchased all Kahlua and Southern Comfort from their shelves. At one point she asked if they had any larger bottles...I assume they think she has a really bad drinking problem.

 

When Danielle was out shopping she purchased a laundry sorter for my closet.  It was something I needed but had not had a chance to buy.  Trevor tried to assemble it but it was missing the screws.  So when we needed a few additional items from the store he volunteered to pick up the items and exchange the sorter.  He came back and started to assemble the new sorter.  It was also missing parts...really???  So now when my mom gets here we will return it and buy something completely different. 

 

Danielle started cooking at 6am on Sunday to try and get everything done before her flight.  She said she heard Monkey getting sick on an area rug. So she wiped it up and put some Resolve on the area to clean it. She resumed cooking.  She glanced to see where Monkey was...she was sniffing around the Resolve and about to eat it. So she got her away from it.  Monkey then went into a different room and started to look like she had to go to the bathroom (she is in a diaper but we take it off when she needs the  litter box) so Danielle picked her up, ran her to the utility room and took off her diaper. She told me later..."looking after her is a full-time job"  Yes it is..seems like good practice for having a baby.

 

It was so great to see my sister and brother and we are forever indebted to them for all of their help. There is no way we could do everything needed without them.  Only a few more days and my mom will be here...so excited.