Mom & Dad's Visit

My parents came done for a visit last week, from June 8-15th. Months ago, I had realized that for interleague play, the Giants would be hosting the Toronto Blue Jays for the first time. I grew up watching the Jays with my mom, so when I told her they'd be here in San Francisco, she planned a trip down here to coincide with it. All 5 of us went to the game last Tuesday night. It was a beautiful night in the city, and we had great front-row seats in the viewbox section, which is directly above all the company boxes, between home and 1st plate. Unfortunately (depending on whose perspective you are taking), the Jays just missed coming back in the 9th inning, when the Giants centerfielder lept at the fence to bring back what would have most definitely been a game-tying homerun. Before the game we were also able to meet up for lunch with a family friend, Muriel Campbell. It was nice to spend some time with her, and finally introduce Katy.

That Tuesday was a fun day off in the midst of the usual big home-improvement projects that are the norm whenever my parents are in town! We had originally planned to put in a picket fence out front. But Benji decided that before doing that, it would be a good idea to tear up the ugly crabgrass we had out front, put down a sprinkler system, and lay some new sod. So our picket fence was put on hold while my dad and Benji were hard at work pulling up grass, digging trenches and laying sprinklers underground, and hauling heavy new sod. The sod company ended up providing almost double what we had ordered, which was both viewed as good and bad news. The good news... we had more than enough to also do the backyard. The bad news... the boys had more than enough to also do the backyard! Not wanting to waste the sod, which they picked up early Wed morning, they laid it down out front and then scrambled to get irrigation pipes laid out back and the extra sod laid down over it. It was physically exhausting work, but very satisfying when it was all said and done! The boys did a great job. Benji finished connecting up the backyard sprinkler system to the timer on Saturday, and now we have automatic sprinklers everywhere, and beautiful-looking grass. It's SOOO nice not to have a million hoses running everywhere, trying to water everything. Excellent work boys!!

Amidst all the hard work, Katy loved having her Nanna & Papa here with us. As you can see, she spent alot of time hanging out playing in the backyard on late afternoons. My mom delighted her by bringing out the hose and buckets of water to play with. And Katy always beamed with delight any time she spotted my dad. I think she is wasting no time making sure they are both wrapped around her tiny cute little fingers!





Mom & Dad, thanks once AGAIN for all your time & energy & generosity in helping us improve our little home. And even more importantly, for demonstrating your love & devotion to your granddaughter, by making it such a priority to see her so often, in spite of the LONG distance (and of course your love for us!). We love you very much, and are looking forward to the next visit.