| Four years ago, we had two grand dogs. Now we are blessed with four grandchildren and a fifth one on his way this February. Right to left, Dakota is four, Clara three, Sierra two and Chase one. We spent nearly three weeks in California with our daughter, Carmen and her family and while we were there, Denise and her family joined us for a week-filled family reunion. Here the kids are at Carmen's work where the college invited both faculty and student's children to go Trick or Treating. As you can tell, it was all treats.
Click on the pictures to enlarge. And to keep in touch--click here Larry and Glorine.
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| During our brief stay in Boise, we unpacked from one journey and repacked for another six month adventure. Our first destination was with Dennis and Nancy, near Tucson. To get there we took the back roads through Nevada, through Las Vegas and over Hover Dam (pictured here). They are building a massive bridge over the canyon, south of Lake Meade to bypass traffic going over the dam. Don't know if they will close the dam to future traffic. None-the-less it still is a pretty spectacular sight. |
One of our nights on the road was in Prescott AZ, which we would highly recommend. It has a beautiful historic downtown with a street called "whiskey row," which was once filled with bars, pubs and dance halls, one called "Matt's Bar" (that is Larry's dads name). The mountain location, along with the unusual rock formations made it a very pleasant stop. |
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| We spent four days with Dennis and Nancy, doing a lot of sight seeing. It is easy to imagine the significant impact that snow birds have on the Arizona economy. Dennis and Nancy took us on a world wind tour of several communities designed specifically for snow birders, like us. Full communities to RV parks line southern Arizona. Here we are having lunch in an old historic town of Tubac that is being remade into a modern snow bird community, about 20 miles south of Tucson. |
We came with gifts, one of which was Choke Cherry juice canned by Larry's sister Lillian. Knowing how much Dennis craves syrup and jam made from choke cherries, Glorine and Nancy whipped up a batch of syrup. It was the sensation we were expecting. It is hard to believe what a couple of pint jars, and the memories they evoke, can do to make a trip such a hit. |
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| A days drive and we were with Carmen and her family. Saturday mornings are dedicated to swim classes at the YMCA. Here is Dakota taking private lessons, and doing quite well. |
Sierra and Daddy are in a class with parents and kids. It does not look like it will take too much longer before she catches up with big sister. |
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| We spent a day at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens. It was warm and sunny and the kids just loved it. Here are just a few pictures we took by the flamingos and the giraffes. |
Can you believe a 5,200 pound hippo? And the size of that Candor? No, that is not a real alligator Dakota is playing with. And while Chase is too young to remember this day, he sure was enjoying the ride. |
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| Larry got a chance to be with Dakota at Art Class. Here she is with her teacher after completing four art projects, that grandpa had a hand at helping with. |
It was amazing watching the interaction among all four of the grand kids. They live thousands of miles a part and probably see each other a couple times a year. It was just precious watching how well they bonded. |
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| Rub-a-dub-dub, three girls in the tub. Chase is wondering when will it will be his turn. |
Can you even imagine having four grand kids all ganging up on grandpa? Maybe it is because he was asking for it!! |
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| "Hurry up grandpa, the girls are going to get all the candy--I can pose for pictures later!!" |
"Hmmm!" Dakota thinks. "Which one of these offices should I go to next?" |
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| Clara says, "Hey Grandma, do you like these candies?" |
A day at Huntington Beach State Park. While it was sunny, the winds off the ocean were a bit brisk. But that didn't stop us from digging in the sand, dipping our toes in the ocean, enjoying the sunset and a campfire. |
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| Thursdays are dance lessons for Dakota--both ballet and tap. Here she is joined by cousin Clara, who seemed to catch on mighty quick. Sierra can't wait until it is her turn for lessons. |
Thursdays are also "farmers market" in Fullerton--food vendors, playground equipment and a live band. Here is Sierra and Chase entertaining the audience with their dancing. |
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| There is a wonderful children's museum minutes for Carmen and Mike's place. The kids get to dress up, sing, and touch everything there. We spent hours watching them enjoy themselves. They even had a playground that Grandma and Grandpa got to play on with the kids. |
After a long day at the museum, we stopped for a bite to eat at the Old Spaghetti Warehouse, where one of the waitresses was kind enough to snap this picture of the family. |
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| The last week of October was spent celebrating birthdays. On the 24th Sierra turned two. |
After opening presents we went to one of Sierra's favorite places to play-Chucky Cheese! Even Chucky Cheese himself was there to say hi to the kids. |
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| October 28th was Dakota's special day--she turned four. Clara and Chase sure enjoyed celebrating it with her. Two of Dakota's favorite presents were a singing birthday card and a new bicycle. |
On Halloween, we got to celebrate both girl's birthdays with lots of their friends. Carmen and Mike went all out with special treats for the kids and adults alike, including a jumping tent. It was the beginning of a very special day. |
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| When it got dark, all the kids put on their Halloween customs and off we went for a stroll around the block. This area of Fullerton is one of the "must" go to places for Trick or Treaters. |
And when we returned, the kids got another surprise. Smores baked over the candle light of the Jack-O-Lanterns that Grandpa Larry and Dakota made. YES, October was a very special TREAT for us to be with those special kids. The following day, November 1, we continued our Roaming through Retirement and another winter in Ajijic. Thank God for SKYPE, where we can continue sharing time with the kids from our Mexican villa. |
