Happy Independence Day!!!! We have a party to attend at Matt's house this evening, but until then there are still hours to use up. Elena has to work until around 3 so the rest of us are off to the park for a bit. It's been a few years since I was down at Pioneer Park and it's still as pretty as I remember it.
Today is July 1st and that marks Day 31 of this trip. We are in grandparent mode and taking care of four grands while their parents take a vacation and few days together. We're in Billings, MT and starting to get into the structure of littles and teens. What a combo! Oldest teen works for her uncle during the day and that leaves us with three. Today, we are attempting to water the lawn AND teach Mariel that water is not of the devil. She is truly afraid and runs from the water for quite awhile before venturing close to it but running alongside it.
One more week left in June and we are staying at Matt's house. However, Rhiana is throwing a birthday party for Isla today and she doesn't know we are in town yet, so Gammy and Grandpa will surprise her. When we arrive, it's GREAT! Littles are excited and my daughter is so surprised. This is so fun. Now to just play and enjoy the day.
Today is going to be an EPIC day. Truly, for we are going to Epic Waters, an indoor water park. I've not been here before, so we'll see how it goes. Indoor is the big draw, for sure, as it is another cooker out there. This will go down as one hot summer, for sure.
Back to back animal days! So much fun for us old folks and I hope the young'uns see it that way too. We are off to the Dallas World Aquarium ---- LOVE this place. Before we even enter the building, this guy is greeting us. The last time I was here he wouldn't even look at me and kept turning his back, making my grandson, Josh, laugh. This time --- he's not so anti-social.
It's ZOO day! That's is always Mister's favorite and it was also a request of the kids. I'm trying to help Zyra tame her hair down here as it does the same thing mine does --- puff up.
With temperatures over 100 EVERY day, we have opted for a quiet and cool day at home until Mister gets off work. We are playing games and watching movies and just "chilling" out. I've found a new miniature golf location and booked tickets for this evening. One the way - a stop for treats and this is the size of the ice cream cones Zyra and Mister find.
It's Day 2 - what shall we do? Grandpa has to work today, but will be able to play this evening. He and Zyra are up to something - I just don't know what yet. Maybe he's just getting her the internet, I don't know.
Woot woot!! Even though we just returned from a five-week, family trip and saw ALL the grands that don't live in Texas, we have two coming to spend a week with us. I am just so excited and looking forward to the fun. Their flight is sooooo close, and yet so far away. For some reason, the gate is not ready for them. I'm trying to be patient and remembering that their last visit, I was a running fool to meet their plane and this time, I'm all ready to go. Ahhhh ---- here they come, at last.
We've hit the beginning of our second week of travel. This morning we are making the house switch in Billings and Mister had moved his office during lunch. He's such a trooper and I appreciate that so much. As soon as he is set up, Mariel is right there to watch over the entire process and hang out with Grandpa.
It's a gorgeous day in Ridgway, CO. A peek around us as we hit the road. It's going to be a beautiful drive and I'm looking forward to all the eye candy. Our destination today is Billings, MT and my son's house. Time to drive.
Four p.m. on the 21st has arrived and we are hitting the road. Leaving Dallas at rush hour is always an experience and it takes us a wee bit. By the time the sun goes down, we are well on our way past the metroplex.
What shall we do today? That is the question I asked and they responded with "the children's garden." Now, I'm not real sure of this as I think they've outgrown it, but as I have a membership, I'm willing to give it a whirl. The first place H&Z head is to the maze.
It's Day 4 with the kids and our last morning in Abilene. When we arrive with donuts and breakfast for all, they are already packed and Hyrum even has his suitcase downstairs. Impressive. Also, they are starving, lol. Their Montana schedule has not been easy on them down here. People don't even start moving until around 9 and by then, these two are narrowing in on lunch back home.
It's been a minute since grands have been here for "summer camp" and I have missed it so very much. Fortunately, this year, some are back. Let the stories begin. Hyrum and Zyra are arriving this morning and I'm cruising along getting ready to leave the house when I get notification that their flight is 20 minutes early. WTW?? Now, I'm racing and using every toll road I can to speed things up. As I pull into the parking lot, I make the decision to just take my ID and phone in. Faster through security, right? Well, things go super smooth with the ticket counter AND security and I get there just a few minutes after the plane (briefly run into my son-in-laws mom as she was on the same flight, but that's another story) and discover the kids are not at the gate. Neither is a gate agent. Since there wasn't a gate agent, the attendants kept them on the plane until they were ready to leave and I was waiting. Woohoo!!! I have them safely in tow and a pic for Mom and Dad proves it.
Once Mister is off work, he has a suggestion for an activity and we soon find ourselves at the mall. There is a new VR experience which is total immersion and you walk around during the scene. I'm always game for something new. We get right in and have just a few minutes to wait. The kids are excited and I have to admit, I'm a little bit too. Please let this be fun - cos it's pricey, for sure.
7/14 A 5 a.m. wake-up and we are on the road as quick as possible. There is a schedule for today and we certainly don't want to be the ones to hold anything up. If you wish to follow along with ALL that takes place, here is the Abilene Day 1 LINK. This post will center on Hyrum, Zyra, Grandpa, and Gammy (that's me, lol.).
We are off to the base and, REMEMBER, the story above about my ID? Well it comes into play here BIG TIME. So, much fun. At any rate, once on base, our first event is an in-person visit to the B1 Bombers. We even get to go up into the cockpits. There is protocol on what pictures we can share, but some of them are good so take a minute to enjoy.
