Gram Comes for a Visit

 

June ended with a visit from Gram! I especially enjoyed her company, as I'm nearing the end of my leave from work... and as much as I love having this time with Addison, it's so nice to have an adult to talk to while Mike's at work! (Not to mention an extra set of hands!)  So, we made the most of our week with Gram and jam packed it with activities!  Pop didn't join for this visit, and we missed him very much - Andrew can't wait to go visit him again.  



Addison welcomed Gram with lots of smiles at lunch near the airport!

Back at home, Gram settled in...

 

                                Peekaboo!                                             Getting a "talking to" already!

 

Below: FaceTiming with Pop 



Above: Dance Party!

 

This is how Gram gets Addison "ready" while I'm showering.

 

Gram figuring out how to handle two grandchildren!

 

 On Gram's first full day, we had a nice picnic at Lake Del Valle

 

I couldn't pick between the two shots above.

 

Addison's learning how to protect herself from her brother!

Unfortunately, the focus is off in this pic... but isn't Andrew so cute trying to give Addison a kiss?

On Wednesday, we went to the Alameda County Fair.  Mike and I took Andrew there two years ago, and it really is amazing what these "fairs" are like - definitely no Midway Carnival... it's almost a mini-Magic Kingdom with a lot of the same toddler friendly rides - except we went on $1 ride day, and "get in for free with your canned good donation".  So, no Mickey, but MUCH cheaper.

Chili cheese fries for lunch at the Fair!

Andrew loved his first pony ride and Gram splurged on the "Grandparent's Package" so we got the posed photo below:

This little girl did not like Andrew ringing his bell.

   

 

 

 

Oh wait!  There's Mickey!

That night, Gram made lemon cake with lemon buttercream icing.  While I ran outside to check on Andrew, Mike and her conspired to give let Addison try it - and of course she loved it.  Ugh. 

 

On Thursday, Gram, Addison and I bummed around Mountain House.  We got pedicures (not Addison of course...she just sat in the stroller and watched us wondering when she was going to be old enough) and went to see some new gorgeous model homes in the neighborhood.  No - we are not planning on buying, it's just fun to be nosey and check out the décor. 

On Friday, Mike took off work and we headed to Capitola for the night.  We got a last minute hotel room right on the main street at Capitola Hotel. It was a nice enough room, but since AC isn't really needed down there, especially with the windows open, they supplied ear plugs for the street noise at night.  We have always loved Capitola when we've been in the past, but this time when we showed up there was a particularly pungent smell that made eating our packed picnic lunch a little unappetizing.  It was also Addison's first trip to the beach, and I think the cool air plus the bright sun was a little much for her. Andrew was as happy as a clam... ocean air, sand, open space... that's all he needs.


Beach babe (above) or sleeping beauty (below)?

 

 

 

Learning to make drip castles!

All dressed up for dinner!

After an embarrassing dinner (Andrew was not well behaved at all), we hoped to tire Andrew out by running him on the beach and exploring the very precarious but picturesque pier.

 

 

The next day was very busy. We packed up from Capitola and headed one town over to Santa Cruz. After a brief walk on the boardwalk and some tourist shopping, we heard the sea lions calling us, so went to find them and grab some lunch on the pier. Our lunch wasn't so great, but later that day, after a stop for a quick hike through some Redwoods, we had the best ice cream of our lives at Scoops in Palo Alto (dinner at Crepe Vine was yummy too!). Totally made up for the crappy lunch.

Love, love, love this one.

 

Mike should probably not wear the Bjorn when we go on hikes anymore...  If he wasn't jumping down into a hole, he was climbing up on to a stump, and giving Mommy a heart attack the whole time.  Addison loved every minute of course.

 

 

 

 

It was a wonderful week with Gram!  We miss her already and wish her a very Happy Birthday tomorrow.