Last week we headed up for a quick visit at my grandparents. We drove up Tuesday afternoon, spent the day Wednesday and headed home Thursday. As it goes in life, the journey is half the adventure anyways.
We had a nice time visiting with my grandparents. We got caught up on our politics (Go Sarah Palin!) and spent time walking around their ranch.
Grace, of course, had a blast. She loves people that will pay attention to her, especially grandparents. She loves yummy snacks, horses, cows and dogs, and new things to explore. She was super cute and talked my grandparents ears off. She was actually pretty good in the car too, although we did have to bribe her with some Starbucks. A "crudont" as she says, always hits the spot. I agree of course.
This trip marked a significant mile marker in Grace's American experience. I would say it is pretty close to voting for the first time. Or maybe your first fourth of July fireworks (which Grace has yet to see). Yes, ladies and gentlemen, she had a happy meal. She was happy about it too.
Actually, for those of you who know how picky I am about Grace's food choices, you will be glad to know that happy meals now come with Milk and apples (instead of fries). Seeing as she only ate one of her nuggets anyways, it wasn't as bad of a nutritional choice as I had expected it to be.
She was a huge fan of the milk. And she was so cute drinking it. Got Milk anyone?
Tuesday evening on Highway 58 (inbetween Buttonwillow and my grandma's) we saw a beautiful sunset over the hills. I normally like that drive, becuase the hills are really yellow and pretty, but the sunset was magnificent. The picture from the car did not do it justice at all.
Wednesday morning we woke up early and cold. That is just the way it is at Grandma's house. Always early and cold in the morning. After breakfast and getting dressed and all, we headed down by the barn becuase Grandpa needed to split some wood for that evening's BBQ. My grandparents BBQ's are world famous (by that I mean we told people in Spain about them when we lived there), and aparently part of the secret is grilling over a wood fire.
Gunnar helped my Grandpa run the splitter, but as the younger and newer member of the family, he had to stick the wood in front of the wedge part, not the fun, pull the lever part. He hopes and dreams of running the lever part, so hopefully he gets lucky one of these days.
There are a lot of pictures of the wood splitting for a couple reasons. I figured you city folk probably don't spend a lot of time around wood splitters, and I thought you might find it fascinating. Besides, I was a little bored waiting for them to finish up.
What did Grace do while all this was going on, you wonder? She brushed up on her sitting skills.
There are such interesting things to sit on around there.
She wasn't quite sure about that one.
Or that one, but after my harrowing ride down the hill, I don't blame her.
Finally, something comfortable to sit on. Much better!
After the wood splitting, we headed back up to the house. Grace was scared of the golf cart, so we walked up. We did stop by the barn, to check out the pitch fork and hay.
We hung out at the house, for most of the day. Grandpa and Gunnar went into town and Grace spent time with Grandma and drew her some pictures.
My Uncle Russel came over after work for dinner. We sat outside while they BBQ'd. The weather was beautiful.
After dinner, shortly before it got dark, the three of us went out for a walk. My parents would always take us out for a walk after dinner when we visited my grandparents, so it brought back a lot of memories from my childhood. It is fun to be able to share moments like that with Grace.
Checking out the cows.
Walking up Grandma's driveway.
Saying Hi to Rainey
We saw a tarantula. It was going okay until Gunnar threw dirt at it, so it ran at me. He thought it was funny.
We checked out Russel's grapes.
Grace wanted to try the grapes. She said that Grandpa Pa's are better.
Thursday morning we hung out for a while before we left. Grace enjoys the "vintage" toys at my grandma's. My grandpa seemed to be more comfortable interacting with Grace now that she is a little older. They were really funny playing together.
Good times, good times.
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My dad's graduation from seminary. I was about 2.5, very close to the age Grace is now.
All dressed up, probably for church. My grandma made me that dress.
Camping. Judging by the amount of hair, I am guessing I was 1.5.
A little older here. Probably around 3.
It's isn't as bad as it looks, it is just cranberry juice!
Carol made Gunnar's favorite, German chocolate.
My bowling buddy
Silly faces with Auntie Ann
My baby
Waiting for the pins to get knocked down...
This trip marked a significant mile marker in Grace's American experience. I would say it is pretty close to voting for the first time. Or maybe your first fourth of July fireworks (which Grace has yet to see). Yes, ladies and gentlemen, she had a happy meal. She was happy about it too.
Actually, for those of you who know how picky I am about Grace's food choices, you will be glad to know that happy meals now come with Milk and apples (instead of fries). Seeing as she only ate one of her nuggets anyways, it wasn't as bad of a nutritional choice as I had expected it to be.
She was a huge fan of the milk. And she was so cute drinking it. Got Milk anyone?
Tuesday evening on Highway 58 (inbetween Buttonwillow and my grandma's) we saw a beautiful sunset over the hills. I normally like that drive, becuase the hills are really yellow and pretty, but the sunset was magnificent. The picture from the car did not do it justice at all.
Wednesday morning we woke up early and cold. That is just the way it is at Grandma's house. Always early and cold in the morning. After breakfast and getting dressed and all, we headed down by the barn becuase Grandpa needed to split some wood for that evening's BBQ. My grandparents BBQ's are world famous (by that I mean we told people in Spain about them when we lived there), and aparently part of the secret is grilling over a wood fire.
What did Grace do while all this was going on, you wonder? She brushed up on her sitting skills.
She wasn't quite sure about that one.
Or that one, but after my harrowing ride down the hill, I don't blame her.
Finally, something comfortable to sit on. Much better!
After the wood splitting, we headed back up to the house. Grace was scared of the golf cart, so we walked up. We did stop by the barn, to check out the pitch fork and hay.
We hung out at the house, for most of the day. Grandpa and Gunnar went into town and Grace spent time with Grandma and drew her some pictures.
My Uncle Russel came over after work for dinner. We sat outside while they BBQ'd. The weather was beautiful.
After dinner, shortly before it got dark, the three of us went out for a walk. My parents would always take us out for a walk after dinner when we visited my grandparents, so it brought back a lot of memories from my childhood. It is fun to be able to share moments like that with Grace.
Checking out the cows. 
Walking up Grandma's driveway.
Saying Hi to Rainey
We saw a tarantula. It was going okay until Gunnar threw dirt at it, so it ran at me. He thought it was funny.
We checked out Russel's grapes.
Grace wanted to try the grapes. She said that Grandpa Pa's are better.
Thursday morning we hung out for a while before we left. Grace enjoys the "vintage" toys at my grandma's. My grandpa seemed to be more comfortable interacting with Grace now that she is a little older. They were really funny playing together.
Good times, good times.
As of now we don't know what we are going to do with them.
We put some clothes on her to keep her dignity. Maria made the dress the mannequin is wearing.
Silly sisters!
The whole gang out front after a fun night.
