A Grand(parent) Visit

"They say genes skip generations. Maybe that’s why grandparents find their grandchildren so likeable." ~Joan McIntosh

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I mentioned briefly in other posts that Mark's parents came to visit in September.  I always love it when grandparents come!  We live so far from all the grandparents, that I treasure the times my kids have to establish relationships and create memories with them.  

Grandma and Grandpa Winters are great about being willing to go out and do fun stuff, participate in our normal busy life, and/or stay home and help out while I take advantage of built in babysitters.  For example, one chilly morning I volunteered at Bryce's school all day while Grandma and Grandpa took Thane and Graham on a preschool field trip to the beach to explore the low tides.  

They came back with great stories of sea life scavenger hunts and touching crabs.

On another day, we met up with friends and took our own field trip to the Salmon Hatchery.  

It's great having extra adult hands to assist in such adventures!

Of course, the kids took total advantage of having extra book readers around.  

One afternoon we took a long walk on a nearby nature trail.  Aubree and Bryce took their bikes and experienced their first trail ride; they loved it!  It makes me want to get my own bike so we can do that sort of thing more often.  

Bryce was thrilled that Grandma and Grandpa were here when he lost his first tooth.  

I tried my very best to convince them to move out this way, but they weren't swayed.  I guess I'll have to work on my persuasive skills... or else just look forward to their next visit.
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"The best baby-sitters, of course, are the baby’s grandparents. You feel completely comfortable entrusting your baby to them for long periods, which is why most grandparents flee to Florida." ~Dave Barry