Sunday, August 23, 2015

The Summer of 2015 Winds Down!!

Wow, who knew that the summer of 2015 could possible go by so fast? We did, however, squeeze in some special time and moments with Claire, Chloe, and Chris. Needless to say, we always welcome time with them and below you can see some snapshots of those times.

Claire and Chloe spent the most part of one week with us during Vacation Bible School time at church. It was so fun to see how excited they were each day and to pick them up and hear all the details. Most of the afternoons were taken up with swimming and/or art work.



Below Chloe stops swimming for a little snack...


Another break from swimming to use the bubbles, you never get too old to enjoy bubbles!


One evening they made a very special dessert for dinner....



Another early morning shot before we take off....


One evening we took them to the local casino for the buffet. Neither girl had ever been to a buffet and they couldn't believe the choices...




On the final day of VBS Chris, Mike, and Paula met us for the ending program. Chris was so taken by the darling little baby in front of him. He kept her laughing for a long time.
 
 
 
Following the week of VBS the girls attended a music camp at a church in their town. We enjoyed attending the musical program at the end of that week.
 
 
 
 
Early in August, Mike and Paula celebrated their anniversary. We asked to have the kids so that they could have some free time to travel or just do stuff together. We had a super fun time with the three C's. There was lots of swimming, of course, some movies, art work, and a trip back to the Casino again so Chris could have the experience.
 
When they arrived, as often happens, they had some art work for us. Chloe made the picture below for Papa. The bird (Chloe knows how much Papa loves his birds), is holding a pencil in his wing and has written "I love you". We thought that was quite clever of her.... :)
 
 






 



 
Paula sent a couple of pictures recently of an outing they took and one with a couple of friends over for a play date.
 

 
 
 
Last weekend we had some unexpected time with the three C's. A fire came too close for comfort to their home and their family, as well as the neighbors, all evacuated for some hours. We were thrilled to pick up the kids from Mike while he went home to check on things at the house. Paula had to work so it was good to know she was safe and sound at the hospital. Mike kept in touch to keep us posted and to relieve the nervous children's minds. They left with only their clothes that they had on so they borrowed some of Aunt Suzie's old t-shirts that happen to still be in our house. The girls even swam in t-shirts. It was during that visit that Chloe began to perfect her dive. The smoky air is certainly apparent in these pictures.
 
 



 


School began this past week and Paula and Mike sent us precious pictures of Claire and Chloe beginning second grade and Chris beginning pre-K as a Busy Beaver at his school!
 

 
This past weekend Chris came for a boys only (except for Grandma) weekend with Papa. It was busy couple of days and the Olive Festival was going on in our town. We went to the parade and bed races and for ice cream on Friday night. Chris kept saying, "The girls aren't having this much fun" which of course kept Papa and I entertained. Early Saturday morning we were up for breakfast at the firehouse where Chris met some new friends and had a great time. Following that we went to the festival in the park across the street and he played some games and bounced in the bounce house. We swam, had lunch, and then hit the sack for a lovely nap! The nap may have been more for my benefit than his although he was literally 'out' in seconds.
 










 
 
 
 
Breakfast this morning and then off to Sunday School to meet Mommy and Daddy and the sisters. Chris didn't want us to tell the girls anything he had done over the weekend!
 


 
We are thankful and blessed to be able to have time with our grandchildren and look forward to the next opportunity that comes along! 

 



Friday, July 10, 2015

Highlights of Summer 2015 So Far!

June brought a nearly three week road trip for Papa and I. What a great time we had! Our first major stop was in Kansas/Nebraska for a school reunion where Papa Norm had attended classes from 1st to 6th grades. Here is Papa with some his classmates. What warm, welcoming folks! Norm hadn't seen most of them since he left in the sixth grade.

 
After the school reunion we headed East and stopped on the University of Kansas so that Papa could visit the campus of his favorite, from childhood, basketball team, the Kansas Jayhawks. Here he is in the bookstore after buying multiple shirts and hats!


Our next major stop was in Iowa to spend time with my sister and her husband Bob, my Aunt Pat, and several of my cousins.

Aunt Norma Jean and me in Pella, Iowa, a beautiful, unique, Dutch inspired little town.


Here is my dear Aunt Pat with two of her three children, my cousins, Rex and Sue.

 
Some of my cousins and Aunt Pat on our day out for lunch and then a stop at a local brewery to sample, once again, the IPA named after our Great-Grandfather, Thomas Beck. Personally I think it tastes terrible, but I am in the minority. :)


After leaving Iowa we headed southwest for Dodge City, Kansas. Papa had always wanted to visit this town where so many of the wild west stories took place. We had a great day there, took a tour and then Papa played cards with Doc Holliday. (Well, we pretended he did.....)

 
 
We visited Santa Fe, New Mexico and the Grand Canyon on our way home. Oh, the art galleries in Santa Fe, we must go back for a longer stay.....
 






We got home in time to have a great Father's Day at home. Lots of swimming and BBQ took place.




We have had a couple of swim days and the 4th of July at home too. Love having the three C's here on these special days!

 
 


 
On one of those swim days, Mike built a box for Amy-Bob the baby squirrel that reportedly followed Chloe into the house a month or two ago when it was a tiny baby. It now has a wonderful home in their backyard which it seems to love. Who wouldn't love a home where fresh foods are delivered right outside the door?
 
 
 
The 4th of July brought some festive shirts on Chloe and Claire!



 
Papa was particularly festive that day too with his headgear in place. :)


Here's to more fun summer activities coming up!