52 Dates: #8 - Grandma Elaine's Birthday and dinner with the Gonzalezes

(4 Generations - Great Grandma Elaine, Grandpa Alan, Papa Burke and Baby Daphne)

Date night lasted 24 hours two weekends ago beginning on Friday night (Feb. 24) with a trip to Parowan to celebrate Grandma Elaine's 93rd birthday!  A "small" gathering of her descendants (30 of us in attendance) met together at Aunt Allyson's home for a delicious soup bar, desert and presents.  It was so fun to visit and enjoy everyone's company.

(Grandma Elaine loving on her great granddaughter)

In the morning we got up early and drove back to St. George to sing for the Relief Society Conference I mentioned a couple of posts ago.  Cassie and Dan had been kind enough to watch Daphne during the program, so we swapped babysitting and played with our nieces and nephew while they went to a movie.  Lydia and Emmett are getting so big and their imaginations are at that delightful stage where every little game is an adventure.  I love playing with them and hope that they will feel close to "Auntie Em" even when they turn into teenagers and become too cool for me!  Millie and Daphne were excited to see each other too (seriously, it was so cute!), grinning and babbling and crawling all over each other - okay, let's be honest, Millie crawled and Daphne stared in wonder.

(Little Bald Babies - Millie and Daphne - January 2012)

In the evening the Gonzalezes had us over for dinner and games, but we ended up just talking for hours, which is my favorite kind of date night ever!  They are such an amazing couple and every time we hang out together they make me laugh so hard!  Baby Levi who is 4 months old, is already bigger than Daphne and such a handsome little guy.  Ezra decided they are going to get married some day, which I am 100% okay with - I would love to be connected to such a solid family!  I've been so glad that despite our move we've been able to stay close to several of our good friends in St. George.

When we drove home I felt so content.  It was so peaceful driving through The Gorge talking with my Burkie and playing with his hair while our baby slept soundly in the back seat.  This is a happy time of life and I'm grateful for our dates that help us enjoy it even more.