Wyoming Grandsons Days 9 & 10

19th - I wake a bit sad today as it is our last day to play with these precious grandsons.  However, our weather is incredible again so I rise and start getting us ready to play.  We are going to the Arboretum and the Children's Garden today.  I think the boys will love it and am excited to put as much into our day as we can.  Jen and Bekah are arriving tonight as well so we will have a very full house and then it will empty out completely tomorrow morning.  Oh, enough chit chat --- we have an adventure to do.

When we arrive at the gardens, they are not quite open yet, so we try a grab a few pictures of these amazing boys.  We have not done our usual photo shoots this year so a few pictures will help our frames at home get updated.

Dang but these guys are cute --- don't you agree?  This is only making it harder to send them home.

Ah -- it's open - time to go.  The waterfall beckons instantly and since I love water too -- I understand completely.  The walkway leads to the treehouse next and in no time there are three boys merrily jumping and climbing away.  Our biggest concern is getting Caleb to keep his shoes on.  Now THAT is a true struggle.

Yep ---- it's a loooonnnnnggg way down.

From the treehouse, our next stop is the water station where the boys learn about how water is used to create energy.  More than a little of their energy is put to use as well.

Learn as they play --- what could be better?  Look at Caleb trying to manhandle the water gun in the lower left corner of the picture.  Oh, it's tough to be short sometimes.  He did it though and even hit the target.

Damming up the water to see what happens and some obligatory nature shots.

The pussywillows and lotus flowers are just oh so beautiful that I cannot pass them by.

This is, after all, a garden.  One must not forget that and try to enjoy the beauty around us while we are playing.

As we move on to the wind section, the boys are able to play in a tornado machine.  They laugh and giggle and do it over and over.

At one point Raef and Ryan run back in and start it up again.  Caleb does NOT appreciate this and is more than a little upset with them.  Witness the hand trying to open the door.  So sad.

We discover a maze that even Grandpa and I had not seen before.  Deep within it, we found this pad on the ground and as I walked over it, it made music.  Unfortunately, this little man did not weigh enough to make sounds by walking, therefore he had to jump hard on each square.

The kaleidoscope is always a huge hit and it is easy to understand why.  I think this is one of the best ones I have ever looked through.  The ability to change three different aspects of it keeps it in constant motion as well.

The sand pendulum is a big hit and no one wants to leave.  It's not hard to believe as the constantly changing shapes are to fascinating to watch.

There are activities at every turn in the walkway and they boys read the questions about different animals as we go.  They take the time to work small puzzles and just be boys.  Can you believe how big Raef looks in this picture?  I sure can't.  It is snack time --- and time to sit in the shade for awhile.

After the snacks, Grandpa takes the older boys into the education center for some time with the omniglobe to learn about the earth.  Meanwhile, Caleb and I make a beeline for the younger children area and a slide.  Yes!  Score one for Gammy.

It is soon time to go and we call the big boys and let them know.  Lunch and naps follow.  During quiet time, I make a few donuts for the boys as a snack and I have to work to save some for our little man when he wakes.  They appear to have been a hit.

The rest of the afternoon is spent doing laundry and packing as everyone except Mister is getting on a plane tomorrow morning.  We also get to work on dinner.  Jen and Bekah are joining us as Bekah is flying tomorrow as well and since it is early, they are spending the night with us.  Busy house but I love it all.  Very, very sad that it is ending tomorrow.

20th - It is travel day and we are up oh so early.  Our flight is at 6:45 so once we have Jen and Bekah off to DFW airport for Bekah's flight, we get the boys up and moving.  We are out the door at 5:00 and checking into Love Field just a few minutes later.  Time to fly.  They boys say good-bye to Grandpa and we are soon on our way.

Once in Denver, we take the train to baggage and the boys find a window where they can sit and watch the people in the car behind us.

As we are walking to collect the suitcase and car seats ---- Amanda and Trent are there and ready for hugs.  Nice smile Amanda and sorry about the picture --- I really should look at who is in the background more often.  Thank you both so very much for sharing your treasures with us this week.  We truly loved each and every minute of it and I am sure Grandpa is feeling the "quiet" already.  That is not always a good thing.