We have been exhausting Grandpa Dave and Grandma Doris for the past few days! After they arrived from visiting Chris, Megan, and Scarlet in Denver, we whisked them away to our favorite beach spot on Sauvie Island. The temperature was up around 95 and perfect for a dip in a cool river! Hustling, or moving at a speed other than a shamble, is not something at which Hannah excels. I believe Grandpa helped her fill half a bucket with shells before we reached our spot.
A huge container ship cruised past while Dave, Doris, and I were in the water. Yes, one of those specks in the water is me! I think this was the first time I'd ever gotten in the river due to its normally near freezing temp.
We made a castle with a moat and a tunnel through the middle. I didn't get a pic of the final product, but it was beautifully decorated with shells, rocks, and a feather on top.
Picking wild blackberries on the way back to the car.
A stop at McMenamins for dinner was in order. Zane asked Grandpa Dave what he was getting and Grandpa Dave told him he was getting whatever Zane was getting. They ended up with cheeseburgers, tater tots, and Shirley Temples.
Grandma with her beer sampler!
The lads.
Hannah giving her Lego bunnies some love.
The kids finished their summer reading program! We went to the library to collect their commemorative t-shirts. After x-ing off a box each day for the past 2 months, this was a big day!
Then it was off to the park.
Grandpa Dave and Hannah playing tether ball.
We happened to be there when they were serving lunch (a great free program through the parks) so Zane got one and shared his fruit with his sister.
I hope Dave and Doris aren't mad that I'm sharing this information with the public, but they have a bit of a Smurf infestation at their house. They've been telling Zane about it when they talk on the phone and keep him informed of any clues they find…because Smurfs are elusive and sneaky, and only allow you to see them when they're ready. Well, I'll have to do some research on who to call about this, because a few of them hitched a ride in Grandpa and Grandma's luggage and now it is us who have a Smurf problem. These little guys were popping up all over the place! There was even one in Grandpa's waffle this morning!!
Grandpa and Zane attempting to fix Zane's Lego ship…it's impossible. Especially when some of the pieces are MIA.
In order to spend more time with Mason, we loaded up and met him at the Kroc Center in Salem one afternoon. It is an amazing place! There is a gradual entry area that Hannah loved, a mini slide, waterfalls, fountains, an outdoor waterfall/fountain area, a lazy river with all sorts of spray and buckets to soak you, and a huge waterside. We'll have to go back after Zane's next growth spurt because he was 2 inches shy of being able to go on the big slide. I'm not sure he'd be ready for it though, because it was ripping and the drop off into the pool at the bottom would take some getting used to for him. Grandma went too, way to go Grandma!!
We found a lovely Mexican restaurant afterwards. Zane, Grandpa, and Grandma thought the margaritas were delicious! Of course, Zane's was virgin.
We took a trip over to SW to ride the tram and show our guests the great views from the top.
Zane talked to grandma the entire 20 min. walk to the restaurant for lunch.
Zane had been asking all week if we could do s'mores with them. Of course!
We ran out of regular chocolate but had a Godiva Raspberry bar…so fancy and delicious.
Showing off her new sleeves of tattoos.
Mini animals kept showing up for little miss too :)
Grandma and Hannah had a special connection. Grandma spent hours, seriously, hours, on the floor with her playing games, night night, reading, Legos, whatever Hannah wanted to do. I mean, look at this picture: they're reading, playing with a stuffed animal, drawing, and Hannah has a Lego "rocket ship." Hannah already misses her "Damma!"
We hope Grandpa and Grandma are able to get some rest in Seattle while visiting their much calmer granddaughter, Alice!
