The week before Labor Day weekend Jill and Marty graciously flew to Cincinnati and then turned around and drove with me and the kids back to Baltimore so we could spend a long weekend at their house. Andy, who is low on vacation days, flew out after work Friday and joined us for the weekend, and then drove back with me and the kids Monday. We had our trials (including Jill slipping on a baking rack that James pulled out of a cupboard resulting in a trip to the E.R.). You can read Jill’s stories about them here and here. But all in all it was a wonderful visit. Following are pictures from our trip.
James entertaining Grandma
sweet Owen
Paw Paw teaching Sophie how to throw a Frisbee to Bonnie
sweet James (who still fits in 6-9 month clothes, which stresses me out to no end)
Sophie must give 20 hugs every day. I love that.
new puppy Jake
Grandma and Paw Paw’s snacks are so much better than the ones we have at home.
climbing on the chairs
Daily activity: Paw Paw threw a Frisbee or toy. Bonnie, Jake and Sophie chased it. Sophie always outlasted Bonnie and Jake.
As usual, James stood still, watching.
fun at the park
At one point Paw Paw took Grandma to a doctor’s appointment for her knee. So tired of constantly pulling the boys off of things, I put a bunch of stuff (lamps, books, frames, etc.) in Grandma and Paw Paw’s bedroom, and I just let the boys go. The above pictures are what happened next. (Sorry, Grandma and Paw Paw. The kids loved it, though!)
best indoor-tricycle-riding space ever
Owen rocking his tot collar
The kids loved playing hide-and-go-seek in the beautiful curtains Aunt Fran made.
Red Robin for lunch; The Moo for ice cream
a reluctant slip and slider
chalk drawings with Daddy
best buds (as long as Jake wasn’t licking, jumping on or biting Sophie)
Thanks, Jill and Marty, for all the help on the drive and at the house before Andy arrived, the delicious meals and simply being such a big part of our children’s lives.
“Grandma always made you feel she had been waiting to see just you all day and now the day was complete.” —Marcy DeMaree