Escaping the winter!

 Winter is long in Minnesota and some years it really lingers... like this year!  So it is sometimes necessary to escape to warmer venues!  We did just that this past weekend - only traveling an hour away to a wonderful resort/waterpark.  Along with us was our middle son, his wife, and their five sweet grandchildren.  We had FUN!

 

 The waterslides were a big hit, naturally!  It was quite a climb to get to the top where the 3 different slides began their descent...

 

and part of that ride included a brief trip outside... (but still in the tube, phew!)...  notice the climate from which we were briefly escaping..

 

 And slash they came!!

 

Another splash at a smaller slide..

 

 This little person was quite happy in the shallow area for children just her size!

 

 This pretty granddaughter should go into modeling as she lights up each time the camera is close.  I like that!

 

 This energetic grandson is either offering a smile or a silly face.. here is the smile!

 

 And HERE is the BIRTHDAY BOY!  He turned 8 years old today and we think he had a grand birthday!!

 

Here is our eldest grandson - growing up so fine and handsome!  He is becoming so independent and this morning he made the choice to not swim because the lure of the arcade machines was more his style today!  How do they grow up so fast?

 

 Our little sweet pea was happy once she got bundled up!  It was cold getting out of the water!

 

 A big wave as they travel the lazy river!

 

 Lots of things to do at this waterpark including this challenge of walked across the water without falling in... the platforms would move a bit and the rope above was helpful for maintaining one's balance..  though sometimes falls into the water were inevitable!

 

One evening after dinner the children came back to their room to discover that Easter eggs werer hidden everywhere!  They were running around finding them and putting them in a pile. 

 

 Some candy was also hidden - and here "bumpa" had to help out so that this little gal could reach one high up.

 

 Lots of happy faces... and ..

 

Sometimes a not so happy face....  proving that the lack of sleep is a big deal in a child. 

She slept for hours after the weekend was over. 

We sure all had fun!



A study in contrasts

I'm not sure words are even necessary here.  Suffice it to say those of us living in the world of white are getting mighty discouraged.

This too will pass. 

Wishful thinking

 I love winter.  That being said, even I am wishing for the end of the color white....

My poor little garden.  It is hard to even remember what she is to really look like!

 

 But the day will come when she returns to some color, some greens and some blossoms!

Is it even possible?

At the present, it doesn't appear so....

Doing the grandparent thing

 Last week we watched our soon-to-be 10 year old grandson play basketball.  It feels like the beginning of the next phase of being a grandparent- going to games/activities to cheer for them! Nothing can replace the feeling of knowing that someone is sitting in the bleachers/audience to see THEM.   Of course, we had his siblings to love on while we watched!

 

 This is a great picture, taken by our daughter-in-law, of our grandson shooting a free throw.  I won't say if it went through the hoop or not...

 

 The girls wanted to be silly for the camera. And as soon as a picture is taken, the kids say "let me see it" - oh,the digital age...

 

I love this picture (thank you Andrea!) of these 5 grands.   We will soon be celebrating the birthdays of three of these sweeties soon.  :)