Sunday, May 11, 2008

A surprise Visit!

Two weeks ago I came into the Kitchen at Jacobs request, and out jumped Hayley and Adam. What a surpise. I had no idea they were coming to Virginia. Ron, Jake, Hayley and Adam were pretty good at keeping a secret. I cried. What a great two weeks we had spending time together.
One day we loaded up into the truck and drove to Monticello, the Thomas Jefferson estate down near Charlottesville, VA. He was an amazing man, very intelligent and designed quite the place. He built his house on the very top of a big hill (mountain out here) surrounded by a 5,000 acre estate, with 600 servants and slaves. Very cool piece of history to see.



This is the front entrance to the mansion.





Here's the gang, Betsy, Hayley, Adam and Jake, looking over the gardens as they would have been back in the day.




Yes, we are a handsome bunch and admire fine vegetables.



What a cute couple! Hayley grew a fair amount in the two weeks they spent with us. They surprised Mom and we snuck them out here without her knowing. She was happily shocked.



What a nice place, even today. Hard to believe it was built in the late 1700's.




This is the carriage entrance.



Mom and Jake taking in the sights.



We had perfect weather. It wouldn't have been as much fun if attempted in July.



These two always like to pose.



The little girl inside and the big girl outside just keep growing. Lots of growing left to do as well.

The dogs were very happy to have Adam and Hayley in the house. They love having company around.



Even Tank got a kiss from Hayley; no wonder they like her.


All good things must come to an end. Here we are at Reagan National to send them back to Utah.



There's still a little farmer left in every Garner, my little field of plants and the new lawn are doing well. I'm constantly pulling out the sprouting acorns; it was a bumper year for acorns for some reason.



We re-did the yard late last year so there is more work this year. Maybe next year it will be less work.



In April we went to North Carolina to see Phil and family. Phil got back from Iraq in March. Izzie is about as cute as they come; and lots of fun.



Betsy may not be very big, but her sons are all extra large, and really good men too.




We got Isabella a new rocking chair for her first birthday; she really loved it.


Izzie in her pretty dress. She is very close to walking, won't be long.



Very pretty!