Thursday, July 28, 2016

Vacation with the grands...Part II - Pool time, family time and the zoo


Welcome back.
We got home from camping on Thursday and after settling in at home and unpacking etc., Friday Paul went to work and I took the kids to the pool. We have an amazing pool in our city that just opened 2 years ago. I haven't been there yet so this was my opportunity to see it (I have a pool in my subdivision without slides for old people like me haha). Needless to say, with the temps in 90's it was the perfect day for it!

These two are ready!

Crossing this, what I call a monkey bridge, isn't as easy as it looks. I watched a couple of kids give up after falling into the water. It may be the family competitiveness in them LOL. Emmy is up first..



Jenn and Dan came to visit and Sunday was Dory's birthday so we all went to wish her a Happy Birthday at the assisted living where she lives. We brought her some balloons and cards. She didn't remember Jenn and later that day she didn't remember who brought her the balloons, but that's okay. We brightened her day and that's what birthdays and family are all about.




We then headed to the zoo. At first we were rushing around because we got there in the afternoon and the brochure indicated they close at 5:00. Later found out they don't close until 7:00. Rushing around in the heat is no fun!


There's something about this family-sticking out tongues and...
                                          
pointing!
Emmy's flip-flop blew out so Dan was kind enough to carry her around some.



As always...

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Vacation with the grands...Part I-Camping

For the first time ever, Paul and I had Logan and Emmy spend 2 weeks with us this summer. From July 8-23. We had an extremely wonderful experience that I hope the grands will fondly remember too. This post will be photo heavy to say the least. I've decided to break it up since we did so many things and had so many awesome experiences.

When Eric & Jess got here, we celebrated Steve (July 7) and Jessie's (July 9) birthdays with a little cake and ice cream...


Our first adventure was camping.

A camping we will go!
We went to West Branch State Park and I must say, compared to our last camping adventure at Findlay-we were impressed! The water was cleaner (I won't say clean because lakes just aren't clean to me), the bathrooms were great! They were clean and even had front loading washing machines inside! Showers were great too!
Our campsite was wonderful! I couldn't have picked a better site if I'd tried. We were right up against the lake that was accessible by 2 paths from our site.



Emmy and Logan were immediately drawn to the lake to skip stones..


We fished..






We ate good..



We swam..




Paul's dome got some sun!

We disc golfed with these 2 pros...



We showed them what Jiffy Pop is...



We had a grand time! It didn't rain until the last day and we were there from Sunday til Thursday.

A dirty face is a happy face





 So check out this deer...
We were sitting by the fire and heard this loud galloping! Running right though the campsite next to us is this deer! Paul told Emmy to slooowly turn and look to her left. Very cool!

Logan found an Illuminati stone..he was thrilled! 

Little raccoon footprints in the mud

Emmy, the shell queen



West Branch even has tons of games you can borrow..for free! 

s'mores every night



Part II soon. As always....

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Randomness...

See, this is what happens when I haven't posted in a while. I post randomness! Lots to post today. So excited the kids are coming today, Eric, Jessie, Logan and Emmy from Virginia Beach. Eric and Jess are going to a concert tomorrow night and then starting on Sunday, Paul and I get to spend the next 2 weeks with Logan and Emmy. Paul and I are super excited! Sunday we're going camping for 4 nights. A place we've never been to but I've heard great things about it called West Branch. I'll post all about it next week.

Wendy and I went and saw "Finding Dory". See, even if you don't have kids, it's still a GREAT idea to get your animation on!
Something about the eyes LOL!!!
I then went and saw it again with Bev. I'm looking forward to seeing "The Secret Life of Pets" and "BFG" with the grands while they're here.

Paul and I went to an Indians game. At the time they were undefeated and had won 13 straight games..GO TRIBE!!



I was going to use some of my fairy garden stuff (I got a lot for my birthday last year and Christmas) in a couple of pots. One pot I got when I took a fairy garden class. Then Wendy came over and said "why would you put it in a pot when you have this huge yard?". I thought, yea-why would I? So, I found a nice spot and made a Gnome Garden (as my house is full of gnome lovers-not fairies).





I'm pretty happy with it and it is my first one! I'll get better at it in time.

Sitting in the backyard just relaxing I saw movement near a little frog statue we have.

I love it when stuff like this happens!!
I finished another walker bag. I'm seriously thinking of making one for Paul and I and saving them for years later when we need them. By the time I need one I don't think I'll be sewing anymore. This one is for Steve's girlfriends grandmother who loves sports.


We had a nice 4th of July. Played some bocce ball and Kitty kept chasing the balls and even lied down on the pallina (or whatever you call it).


We had our first backyard fire in the pit. It was soooooo nice.


Steve's girlfriend, Brandy
So, I have cleaning to do before the kids arrive from Virginia Beach this evening. I will post again really soon. I appreciate you visiting my blog, I really do.