August adventures

I'm adding the first three photos for the record, so when I print my blog at the end of the year I'll remember that we did this. On June 16, Annie, Angie, Mary O., and I joined a bunch of Gustie education graduates at a taping of Twin Cities Live. Lots of fun to see former students and catch up on what they are doing, how many babies they have, etc.

Annie and Angie didn't miss the chance to have their photo taken on the set with the co-hosts.

Nor did they miss the chance to TAKE OVER THE SET at the end of the photo sessions. Yup, that's Angie and Annie. Mischief is their #1 goal. Thanks for the pictures, Angie!

 

On the 22nd, Gpappy/Larry, Uncle Don, Aunt Janet, and I met in Lake City to cruise Lake Pepin on the river boat Pearl of the River. The weather was perfect--low 80's and sunny--and we had a great time. Afterward, we went to a restaurant in Red Wing. Beautiful day for driving, too.

Yesterday Annie and Tanner were here with Miles and Westy. They all went to a wedding reception up the street from us, and it turned out to be so much fun for the adults that they decided to stay longer, returning Miles and Westy to our house to run through the sprinkler. It's the first time we used the worm sprinkler, which isn't much for water height, but fun just the same. Miles and Westy had a lot of fun throwing balls through the water and pretending to be guys who jumped out of the crowd to run through the sprinkler. The "crowd" was rather sparse--just Miles, Westy, Gpa, and me--but I'm pretty sure Miles had a bigger crowd in his imagination.

While drying out, Miles discovered an inchworm. More like a quarter-inchworm...a tiny little guy. Miles was fascinated by it, as you can see here.

After supper it was time for pj's and some stories.

This photo is from the previous weekend, but I couldn't resist a shot of a post brotherly smooch from Westy.

The Grimmius Group had barely gotten out the door when we had a call from Charlie, who was at home wrestling with the air conditioner. Well, not exactly wrestling with; more like cursing at. He'd tried all the usual tricks to get it to snap back into action, but no luck, and with a forecast in the 90's looming for the week ahead.

Angie and the boys were on their way back from a few days with Grandpa Dean and Grandma Dar at their lake place, and no one was looking forward to attempting to sleep in a hot and humid environment. Fortunately, our basement bedroom was available, so they had a cool, dry place to bunk down.  

This morning while Charlie went back and forth between campus to hand out keys and home to wait for someone who might possibly be able to fix the AC, Angie gave Ethan and Owen haircuts on our patio. The haircuts and the AC repair were both successful. I have pictures of the haircuts, but not of the repairman. Sorry. But I DO know his name is Darryl. 

Owen concentrated hard on sitting still.

Ethan took this picture of clean-cut Owen and his barber.

Ethan's turn to be buzzed.

 

Owen took this funny picture of Ethan.

 

 

After getting clipped, it was time for beach ball soccer in the sprinkler.

Next, a game of baseball with Mommy as the pitcher.

The boy cousins missed Vivi and Hannah. Gpappy and I were lucky enough to see them on FaceTime on Saturday, which was great. We heard about their vacation at the beach, about Hannah's first grade teachers, and Vivi's excitement over having her favorite teachers again at SFFA. We've seen a few of their vacation pictures and can't wait to see more. So far, this is my favorite--Hannah and Vivian expressing their joy over going to the beach! Thanks for the photo, Elisabeth. Love it, love it, love it!

We wrapped up our weekend with dinner at the Mankato Pizza Ranch. Never having gone to a Pizza Ranch, Gpappy and I relied on the expertise of Ethan and Owen to show us the ropes. They're experts. Good pizza! Ethan discovered the mashed potatoes and gravy tonight, too. Two helpings.