Road Trip!

1500 miles, 7 states, 4 days, and 3 wonderful grandchildren  - that was our road trip for the last weekend in February.  And we had a blast!

1st stop - Northern Virginia.  On Friday we had some great quality time just with Nathan, who was allowed to skip preschool in the afternoon so he could hang out with us.  And the fun continued when we picked Michaela up from school.  Dinner was a family affair where - everyone helped prepare our Friday Fiesta dinner.

Nathan wears Jim's gloves.

On Saturday morning Jim tagged along with Lexi and Nathan to music class, then everyone headed out to a great brunch.  The day was cool and a little rainy so there was indoor play and happy hour.  Lexi made a fab dinner, then the grands and kids headed down to the playroom - aka the "back forty."  We lassoed cattle, raced our horses, and sang songs around the campfire.  Michaela made up a great song about her horse and ranch in Texas.  Maybe she will be the first country singer/songwriter/astronaut! 

Next stop, South Carolina, where we surprised Sami when he woke up from his nap.  We had a great afternoon with him and Melanie.  We checked out his new school and neighborhood, discovered the local children's museum, and ate dinner at a quaint, historic diner.  We were sorry to have to say good bye.

Team Sangria

Cowgirls Rock!

Ride 'em, Cowboy!

Cowgirl Michaela rides her horse.

"Whoa!" says cowboy Nathan.

Sami explores the trains at the children's museum.

Mel jumps into the middle of the train table.

Jim and Sami operate a pulley.

Pausing for a photo op while crawling through a tunnel.

Enjoying evening ice cream cones.

Some Special Christmas Moments

We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas celebration in Northern Virginia with all the grandchildren in one place. How delightful! Granddad captured a few special moments using his iPhone camera.

Michaela plays a tune for GB while Sami pitches in to help.

Michaela and Sami put on a puppet show using a theatre provided by Aunts Carly and Tiffany and puppets from Grandmama and Great Granddad.

Nathan and Sami test their chopstick skills at Benihana.

Michaela graciously serves as a park bench for Nathan and Sami.

GB, Michaela and Nathan make snow globes.

Parents have fun videoing a puppet show.

Dennis introduces Sami to the train under the Christmas tree.

Nathan and Sami present Granddad with their artwork, a picture of Sheriff Woody Pride from Toy Story.

Just Another Saturday

Jim has been working on one of his properties, with a deadline of getting a new tenant by Feb. 1. Of course, now is the perfect time to redo two walls in the bathroom and install new tile. Also he has been determined to do a little more work under the crawl space in the basement in a very remote corner...

Note his special "crawl space suit." I am happy to report on the basement project - success!
Now will the bathroom be completed by this weekend? We shall see!

Posted by Barb

Wine Country, CA and Thanksgiving

November marked two very special events for us.

The first was a visit to California's wine country hosted by Carly and Tiffany. We visited wineries in both Napa and Sonoma Counties and had a wonderful dinner at the famous French Laundry restaurant in Yountville.

The second was a sensational Thanksgiving family gathering in Toledo.

We are truly blessed!

Overlooking the insectary and vineyards at Benziger Winery in Glen Ellen.

Tiffany and Carly inspect the caves at Pride Mountain Vineyards near St. Helena.

In the tasting room at Lancaster Vineyards near Healdsburg..

Testing samples at Buena Vista Winery in Sonoma.

The historic Sebastiani Theatre in Sonoma.

Beautiful moss grows on trees along a hiking trial at the Meadowood Resort near St. Helena.  Carly enjoys a hike while working.

Barb and Jim inspect the croquet field at the Meadowood Resort.  Later, Jim demonstrates that wine is not enough. Bread is important too--at a bakery in Sonoma.

 "Let's eat some turkey!"

David gets ready to begin the carving.

Jonah and Mike - barely getting started.

Granddad referees the breaking of the wishbone.

Hayley enjoys her meal at "the kids table."

So does Evan!

October Highlights

October was another blur of a month ...but it's all good! We opened with a great trip to Williamsburg with the NoVa Pearces. Jim then followed that with a quick trip to DC and then on to Florida.  Travelwise, after Sandy visited, we ended the month heading to Napa and Sonoma with Carly and Tiffany (pics in next entry.)

This cannon was near the armory at Williamsburg.

Jeff models a Colonial bonnet - looks pretty cute!

Lexi and Michaela with the corncob dolls they created

Nathan on a cannon at Yorktown

Colonial girls climb trees, too.

Sami with a Florida duck near his house.

This park is in Sami's new neighborhood

Sami models his Thomas costume for Halloween

Willie and Sami recover from Granddad's visit

With the Banner family celebrating Ray's 70th birthday.

Carly's first 5 K - The Tremont Steeple Race

The gingko in our front yard - almost at peak color.

Celebrating Int'l Champagne Day at Mon Ami Winery in Port Clinton with Loey, Dave and Jen.

An uprooted tree behind our house - due to Sandy.