While the Cats are Away... (5.24.24)

Sam and Thomas stayed with Dave and me from May 24 to 26, 2024, while Jonny and Jenny were in Napa Valley, relaxing at a golf resort and attending a concert with their favorite rock group, Pearl Jam.  Our first excursion was to the grocery store, where Sam and Thomas picked out chrysanthemums to place on the graves of their Calder and Spendlove great-grandparents for Memorial Day.  We took photos of those ancestors to the cemetery and told stories about them at the grave sites.  Thomas knew this was a sacred time.  He kneeled and folded his arms.

After the cemetery, we took Sam and Thomas to Texas Roadhouse for dinner.  At 10 years old, Sam has grown out of kids' menus and ordered a half rack of barbecued ribs! Thomas is still in the chicken tenders and applesauce stage.

On May 25, we took Sam and Thomas to the Kamas water park, with its pools and water slide.

Thomas was young enough so that he needed an adult in the pool with him, or at least suited up and ready to jump in and save him, if needed.  Dave agreed to play the savior role.

We spent nearly two hours at the pool.  Sam and Thomas had a great time playing together and apart, drifting along in the circular current pool and rocketing down the slides.

After swimming, we stopped for lunch at the Hi-land Cafe in Kamas.  Sam tried the "everything" shake, filled with bits of different candy bars.  It is my favorite, too.  Thomas chose chocolate.

Jonny sent photos of what a great time he and Jenny were having at their resort.  Dave and I believe fervently in the value of dates to help couples survive child-raising.  We were glad to help Jonny and Jenny, and we had a great time with Thomas and Sam.