Grandma Dolly Pics

Chris's grandma is so wonderful about mailing photos to the family. She was recently in California for Chris's youngest cousin's graduation and she mailed pictures of the landmark event when she returned home. So thoughtful.

Here are two of my favorite pictures she mailed.

4th of July/ Great-Grandparent's: Day 3

Trudy was here the last few days to play with the boys while Chris and I had a thing.

I am so tired right now. 'sigh'. Prepare to be underwhelmed with the lack of awesomeness in this post.

4th of July.

Parade.

BBQ.

Fireworks.

Family.

A Good Day.

Tip of the Day:

We took chalk and bubbles to the parade with us so the boys had something to do while we staked our territory waited for the parade to start. They colored stars and wrote "Happy 4th" and Chris even had the brilliant idea to create a huge bulls-eye, which worked wonderfully at attracting candy until the bigger kids that were sitting next to us came over and stood in front of it.

Bubbles are always a hit with my kids.

Anytime.

Anywhere.

It was a little windy, so Chris took the boys over to a parking lot to blow them so they did not blow into the face of the people sitting next to us.

I am not that nice.

We took bubbles to fireworks that night as well. Dolly brought bubble wands for the boys all the way from Atlanta (i am so glad they did not open in her suitcase!) Andy loved them. Nate mistook it for a light saber. We also took a cooler with ice cream sandwiches in it (inspired years ago when Brooke O. took ice cream and root beer and we had root beer floats as we waited for it to get dark enough for the fireworks to start). Brilliant.

I felt like there was a lot of hurry up and wait this year.

Hurry up and get to the parade to get a spot.

Then, wait until it starts.

Hurry up and get to fireworks to get a spot.

And then wait until they start.

I have heard that in WFB you can claim your parade spot starting at 6am.

Just drop your blanket on the curb and it is considered claimed.

Come back a few minutes before the parade starts and it will still be there.

And for fireworks you can claim your spot with a blanket starting at 4pm.

Again, come back a few minutes before fireworks start, and your spot will be there.

I think I am going to give it a try next year...

with an old grungy blanket so no one will dare take it;)

4th of July/ Great-Grandparent's: Day 2

The next day was Sunday.

Andybaby was sick.

Chris and I both had to teach.

I was the only one in town from the YW Presidency, so Chris won that coin toss and took Andy home after sacrament meeting.

Naps.

Lunch.

A.bear's spirits are up and fever is down.

We decide to do our Sunday usual and walk down to the rock beach.

The best parts:

The place was crawling with photographers. I am assuming this is because it was overcast-y, but as I know nothing about photography, that is a complete guess.

We only ever come here with family.

And though the boys have only seen the Greats a handful of times, the whole day just felt like "family". (yes, family is a feeling too).

Nate and Grandpa Rich searched for treasure (pieces of drift wood he thought were bones, etc.)

Grandpa Rich scored big points when he conjured up a CVS bag treasure chest to hold everything.

Grandma Dolly and I tried to skip rocks.

After practicing the tips I learned from Steve I was able to skip one 6 times.

Victory!

Another good day.

4th of July/ Great-Grandparent's: Day1

Chris's grandparents from Atlanta joined us to celebrate Independence Day this year.

We wanted to make them feel right at home.

So did mother nature.

It was the hottest day.

Ever.

True to form, Great-grandma Dolly (the boys just call her Grandma Dolly like we do) got right down on the ground and starting playing with the boys. Great-grandpa Rich (grandpa) took off to wander. (If you can eye-spy him in the picture above, find the white shirt, light tan pants, white hat walking away from the camera by the boy in the red shirt in the middle of the photo). He explained to me that he is an only child and is use to doing his own thing, and doing it when he wants. He likes to have his own personal time. (He tends to watch the boys rather than interact with them).

I forgot the boys' hats, so after returning from his exploration, Rich rigged up this little dandy from his hankerchief. This kid could literally wear a bag on his head (or a snot rag) and still be adorable.

We waved our white flag of surrender to the scalding sand.

Home.

Air conditioning.

Shade.

A nap for Little Bear.

Rich took an hour walk alone.

Dolly and Nate got out the Trees of North America book to identify the big tree in our yard.

She is delightful.

When Rich returned, one simple request,

"Grandpa, come play with me!"

changed the weekend.

A couch watcher who does not get involved no more.

(they played for hours).