Fort Fun!

After a week at John’s, we all piled back into the Yukon for an eventful trip to Fort Wayne (long story that involves car trouble and me trying to write a proposal with four kids in the car). Papa and Grandma’s house was an especially welcoming site. As always, we enjoyed spending time just hanging out on their “patio” as we watched Avery and Cole log thousands of miles on their bikes going up and down the driveway. The first few days Cole had some allergies that kept the bike riding at bay, but alas Grandma’s collection of toys from “a special place” were suitable tonics. The kids picked wild black raspberries and also gave the Ever Joy Park bear a much needed update to his worn coat of fur.

Papa humored us with a tractor ride or two; Cole even got to steer the Kubota at one point. We also enjoyed visits with my Aunt Peg and long-time family friends, Ralph and Nancy Martin, who came in from the Pacific Northwest with stories from their train travel and the kids/grandkids. It was so very good to see them and visit with them. I do hope Mom and Dad will make it out to their house as I’m sure the trip would be memorable.

The latter part of the week we went to a community park that is near the new hospital out by Mom and Dad. The kids immediately found new BFFs as there was a little girl and little boy approximately the same ages as Avery and Cole. The park was very nice with plenty of equipment, beautiful flowers and a large hill that beckoned the kids to climb and roll-down it over and over. On the way home we stopped at Sandy and Harris’ house, who have been life-long friends. Sandy took Mike on a tour of the house while the kids were stalking Sandy’s cat. We ended the tour with a stop in the garage ------ Mike and kids took her up on the offer to scoot around the neighborhood in her too cool white little convertible. We capped off the afternoon with a stop at Blue Moon for some ice cream….. just as good as I remember as a kid!

Thank you to Papa and Grandma for their hospitality. We’ll return the favor in the fall when temps are more relaxing in Florida.