A Visit to my Childhood Stomping Grounds

I guess this post should really be titled KIDS! I definitely took a lot of kid photos. :) To take The Little One to his grandparents house and introduce him to my family really was amazing. He is the fourth grandbaby in the family and there was a lot of love waiting for him there.

At my sister Jolly's house two little cousins were waiting to meet him. Kitten loved holding him and was quite the little mother! Bouncing him and putting the paci in his mouth whenever he spit it out.


Grampa




Another cousin introduction was made when Lyr and his family came out to the farm for a visit. It was Lyr's 2nd birthday so we celebrated with cake and gifts! He is so adorable and such a sweet little two year old.




Present opening time, with some help of course. :)




That afternoon the weather was HOT but not too hot for the kiddy pool.


Lyr and his precious eyelashes.


Jack


Kitten, or Small Fry as I like to call her. (She always replies "I'm not a small fry!")


Popsicle drips pooling in the waistband of a diaper are hilarious. I love this grin too! Just like my brother when he was a boy! Like father like son.


Grampa really has such a soft spot for his grandkids. He poured out a bucket of sand on the shady patio for a makeshift sandbox.


"What do think of this here watermelon?" "I don't know, it's a little on the drippy side..."


This tired little boy wearing nothing but a diaper and mittens fell asleep on mommy for a nap, so cute! I guess he loves those mittens. :)


The Little One started smiling SO much on this trip and started sleeping longer at night, a few times he slept 8 hours through the night and surprised me! He is getting so big!

On The Road Again

After our visit in Walla Walla, we decided to head towards Regina, SK and stop somewhere on the way for 2 nights. The first few hours of the trip were my favorite, as we drove through rolling green hills. It was so beautiful!






The Little One slept so well in his car seat, we were very thankful. His hair lays flat on his head now, I miss this little "buzz cut" of hair he had when it first grew in!


We happened to stop for a bathroom & diaper changing break at the continental divide, which was a fun surprise! It was neat to remember seeing it from my Amtrak train, and to be able to stand and take a photo this time instead of rushing on by so quickly.


Finlay Bridge in Medicine Hat, built in 1908, was once the largest bridge in Western Canada and the most important bridge across the South Saskatchewan River.


The Saamis Teepee


About 10 minutes from my parents house, we saw a lake where there was once was a small winding river and miles of hay fields. There has been so much flooding this year I don't think the shape of the valley floor will ever be the same. If you go to YouTube and search Saskatchewan 2011 Flooding, there are all sorts of videos that show the destruction. I think this one is interesting. Most of the videos are from April, but even now in July there are still bike paths under water in Regina and all along the river there are lakes where there was once deep riverbeds.

Walla Walla, Wa

On the June 21st, we arrived in Walla Walla, Wa. When we first arrived, we did a little window shopping and went for coffee with The Mr.'s sister and her husband in downtown Walla Walla. It's a pretty place to spend an afternoon!

A very neat toy store.


That night we headed over to T&J's house as that was where we would be staying until the weekend. Here is a round of Rook being played. During this trip I actually learned to play Rook, and although I am not that good at it, I had a lot of fun!


The next afternoon we all went over to a friends house for a swim.




S&S have a beautiful pool and yard!




The Mr. warding off an attack.


The Little One stayed cool inside.


They not only have a pool, but sheep and chickens and a gorgeous view.












That night we had dinner at Tiki Teriyaki Grill and it was the first time in many years I was able to have teriyaki, as they make their own sauce and it is gluten-free. It was SO good!


The day after that we took a hike on some paths nearby and the W kids had some friends along. It was a beautiful day.


Poppies




Blue Heron


Wild Rose


Blue Heron




A and A in the tall grain.






Sometimes the river is diverted here when it gets too full to run through town, but the canal was dry so we could walk across it.


Snake! I also see some sort of animal tracks maybe? It looks like something with claws was scratching it's way along.


Little K's solution to lawn mower noise! So cute.


The girls loved The Little One and helped me out so much by keeping him company.




Little K's 3rd birthday party.


The Mr. and The Little One


This is the only photo I managed to get, but the yard was FULL of kids and water and toys were strewn everywhere. So much fun for Little K's birthday!


A warning.


Gift opening time.


An excited birthday girl.


Our visit to Walla Walla was so much fun!