Grandma flew in on Halloween night for a week long visit. She came to meet Nathan and to drive up to West Virginia to visit Aunt Shellie with us. We had a couple of days before heading to WV so we took her to enjoy the fall leaves at the Duke Gardens.
Eliza showing Grandma the ducks. This girls is pretty funny! I am not sure why she poses like this, but it makes me smile.
These were dipper gourds. Some of them were pretty big.
Eliza tried to lock us in at the discovery garden. She might have a slight devilish streak in her.
Eliza and Grandma walking in the woods.
Nathan slept through most of the outing. He is such a sweet boy!
Grandma bought some duck food at the gift shop so Eliza could feed the ducks. We headed back down to the duck pond and this gray bird, the name has left me, came over and sat on the rock. He was pretty close to us and didn't seem to care. I kept waiting for the catfish to come and fight the ducks for the food, but they didn't show. I commented on their absence and then we figured out why. This bird was waiting for them to come so he could eat them! We only saw one and as soon as it saw the bird it headed out! If the ducks got too close to the rock the bird would peck them to keep his fishing spot clear. We hoped we would see him catch a fish, but we didn't. It was pretty neat to see him fishing up close and personal.
On Friday we picked Bradley and Daniel up a little early from school so that we could head out to Aunt Shellie's house. We quickly learned that Nathan isn't the best traveller. We did make it safe and sound to Aunt Shellie's house in time to help celebrate Angela's birthday a little bit early.
Bradley and Eliza relaxing in the basement. They did some pretty serious playing down there.
Their favorite was jumping on the trampoline. Uncle Brett stayed outside for quite a while to supervise the activities.
This is a picture of the rest of the backyard. It is really pretty.
The hill in back is actually pretty steep and tall. Their property line runs back quite a ways and it includes most of the hill. Grandma and Brett hiked to the top of the hill. I wasn't fast enough to get my camera out on their way up the hill. I was waiting for them to come down so I could get a picture, but after climbing up they decided to walk down on the road through another neighborhood.
Bradley and Daniel doing some more jumping. Unfortunately Aunt Shellie can't keep the trampoline since her yard isn't fenced in. We were glad we got to help them enjoy it one last time before it was gone.
The kids were rolling/throwing balls at each other. They kept themselves entertained for a long time!
Eliza decided she wanted to try, but she was too nervous with those other wild kids on there. Uncle Brett was so kind to stand there and hold her hands so she could jump. She loved it!
The kids eating lunch.
Daniel, Kaylee, Bradley, Angela and Eliza
Aunt Shellie make fun cupcakes. Appropriate for Halloween don't you think! Angela and Kaylee both got candles to celebrate their birthdays. Kaylee (4) Angela (7)
We also took a trip to Cabala's. Technically we went to a park first and let the kids play. However, I was holding Nathan and didn't get any pictures on my camera. Aunt Shellie and Grandma have some I think.
I loved this picture of Bradley and his reflection.
The fish were huge! If only we could go fishing here.
This display of the cougar having a stand off with a grizzly bear was one of our favorites. I was having a hard time getting all the kids to look at the camera at once, so I had to take multiple pictures. It is hard to choose my favorite because some of the kids are doing silly things in all the pictures. (Notice Grandma in the background)
Kaylee, Angela, Daniel, Bradley and Eliza
Angela, Kaylee, Daniel and Bradley on a cool bench out front.
Grandma played games with Daniel and Bradley on her last day here.
Spot It is one of our favorites!
Grandma and Daniel played chess. Daniel did pretty good. All he needs are a few lessons from Uncle Tory and he will be unstoppable!
Nathan and Grandma reading a magazine. Nathan was trying to decide what he needs for Christmas.
We were all sad when Grandma had to go home. Eliza tried to find ways to entertain herself while I was getting a few things done. She was being very quiet so I went to find her. This is what I found.
Not much clearance! I thought it was a little funny so I got a couple of pictures and kicked her out.
Thanks for coming Grandma. We loved having you here to help us get through our first two weeks of dad's rotation out of town.
Oct.31-Nov. 7, 2012
