Grandma Asay Returns Home

My mom visited us this weekend to participate with Edward's Baptism. She traveled south to Salem to see her dad in Salem Friday morning, but otherwise she spent time with us in our little corner of Portland. Friday evening we dined at a local bar--gorging ourselves with the tots--walked around Crystal Springs garden, and ate frozen yogurt at Nectar. Having my mom around sometimes pulls distant memories from the black hole that is currently devouring much of my brain. I recalled my mother writing to me in her first letter to me as a missionary that, after dropping me off at the Portland Airport, she stopped at Crystal Springs and loved her brief visit. I was hopeful that her return there would have the same effect on her memory, but it felt like a fresh experience. Regardless, I don't think once can ever over-hydrate on the beauty and solitude that flows from Crystal Springs.

On Saturday mom took all three kids to central Sellwood so the older two could go to Pokemon league and so Ian could guide Grandma around the neighborhood. Meg trailed shortly thereafter on her bike and ensured everyone would get home safely. After lunch and baths, a friend from the ward picked up Aaron, Edward, and I to go to the church to get it ready for the baptism, which went down great (thanks to Meg and her super party planning skills)--read the separate post.

We spent a quiet evening at home after the baptism, watching Prince Caspian together (I had just finished reading the book to the kids). The boys proceeded to bed, but we were soon alerted to fireworks launching and booming nearby. We figured it was happening at Reed College--just across the railroad tracks--for their annual Renaissance Fayre. We've lived in this house for three springs now, but this is the first I can remember them launching fireworks. It brought many of our neighbors (and Edward, who ran up and down the street in his bare feet) outside to observe the show, which lasted about 15 minutes.

On Sunday we arose at the normal time, helped Grandma load her baggage, then drove her back to the airport for her flight to SLC. Aaron (as part of his homework assignment for the week) and Ian took turns telling stories. I can't recall Aaron's tale, but Ian kept going on about about King Edward and his princes and knights but no queens or any women for that matter (note to self: need to instill more feminism into dinner conversations). Come visit us again soon, Grandma--we'd love to host you any time.

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