International Wildlife Museum

Before Amy and Chase came to visit, I asked Chase to look up on the internet things he would like to visit in Tucson.  He chose the Wildlife Museum and the Bisbee Mine.  So after church on Sunday, we headed to the Wildlife museum which starts with mounted bugs, butterflies and birds and then goes on to all kinds of stuffed animals.  We had taken him there when he was three and first came to visit; he loved it then and he loved it again now.  It's a fun place for children because there are things for them to touch as well as look at.

 Chase had read that there were turtles in a little creek that ran under this bridge so he was trying to find them.  We never did see any.

 These beautiful brass doors were the entrance.

 There are several dioramas of animals.  This was one that Chase liked.  The one below is in honor of the bison of South Dakota.

 Oh no, Chase, don't put your head in that alligator's mouth.  Don't worry - Chase's Gramma wrestled him free.  Didn't know I was an alligator wrestler, did you?

 See Chase between the legs of the giraffe.  I have pictures of him when he was three in the same position at home.  Can't wait to pull them out when we get back home.

 When we were there before with Chase, he loved this bear and would snuggle up to it.  I remember when other kids would come up to it, Chase would just glare at them as if to say, "Get away - this is my bear."  Luckily he was much more willing to share this time.

 

This is one massive "deer", right Chase?

We had a fun, fun afternoon!!! and the good times weren't over because from the museum we went to Will and Linda DeBoer's for a wonderful dinner.  Chase was so impressed with the purple cactus in front of Linda's house.  What a fun, fun evening with some of the nicest people anywhere!!!!

When I was looking at my pictures of Chase and Amy's visit, I found a video of the sky diving so will insert it here.

Have a wonderful week. 
Love to all of you,
Gramma and MOM

Amy and Chase's visit

I know, I know I haven't done my blog in a while but we've had company ever since I got back from Washington.  Gary & Nancy arrived on February 1st and we've been "hanging out" with them and Marv and Judy.  So, I'll continue with our visit with favorite #2 daughter today.

 On our way to Tucson, we stopped at Eloy to watch the sky diving.  The skydivers go up in planes about every 15-20 minutes.  When you first see them, they're just black dots in the sky.

 They keep getting a little clearer.......

 and they land just on the other side of the fence from where you sit.  You can hear the flapping of the parachutes and can even hear them talking.

 This is a wind tunnel where those who are going to sky dive can "practice". 

 Chase just laid down on the bench so he wouldn't have to crank his head around to watch the sky.

 Eloy is one of our favorite places to take guests and people generally love it.  It's a fun, interesting place to go and what's really good - It's FREE!!!!!

The sky on the way home was gorgeous - a wonderful way to start their visit!!!

It's quite warm here in Tucson today - not complaining because our trailer is nice and cool even without the air on.  By 5:00 when we start our Valentine's Day dinner, it will be cool again.  We're having dinner with The Wood's and DeRuyter's - steaks on the grill.

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you.
Love from Gramma and MOM

PS;  Dad won his shuffleboard game today!!!  YooHoo

Back to Washington

Slight interruption but thought I'd post once more from COLD Washington.  Now I realize that those of you in the midwest would think that the temperatures which are in the 20-30 (above) range here in Washington aren't bad at all; HOWEVER coming from temps in the mid-70's since we arrived in Arizona make it seem VERY cold here in Lynden.  Plus the wind has really been blowing and I am VERY cold.  Here's a picture of how cold it is in DeAnn's house this afternoon - she's all wrapped up in her blanket while she's playing her Kindle but then I guess she does have a sore throat.

 Sam is taking swimming lessons as part of his 4th grade PE class.  He had requested that his mom come to watch him and I had the pleasure of going along.  In case you don't recognize Sam, the fish, he's the one in the red shirt!!!

Since I had three videos of Holly on my blog; we felt that Sam and Katie deserved equal time.  Here are videos of my favorite 10 and 5-year olds.

 

 

That's it for today - tomorrow I fly back to Arizona.  It's always a little bittersweet - I like to go back to be with dad but I also hate leaving the Hiemstra family. 

Have a great week - stay warm and I'll be back to Chase and Amy very soon.
Love to all, Gramma and MOM

Chase and Amy in Arizona

Amy and Chase came into Phoenix on the 24th of January after a good flight.  They even came in a bit early and dad and I were there ready to meet them.  (There have been some instances where we were late - due to car trouble so now I made sure that we were there early.)

 Chase was so impressed with the BIG cactus and had to have his picture taken, even before we had dinner.  We took them to a Mexican restaurant that dad and I had found last year.  It has good food and everything is so colorful.  All of the furniture and signs are hand-carved and painted.  Good way to start a visit!!!!!

 One of the carved and painted chairs - they were all different.

Tomorrow we'll show you some pictures of sky-diving.  Do you think Amy and Chase tried it out - you'll have to wait and see.

Love to all,
Gramma and MOM

Phantom of the Opera

Before I get into our wonderful visit from Amy and Chase, I want to send some videos of Holly in her spring musical.  Just beware:  these are PROUD gramma videos.  The musical was beyond my expectations - I'm going tonight for the third time and I still am amazed at the voices of these high school students.  It was difficult getting pictures because the auditorium is so dark and my camera is a "plain jane" camera.  Here goes:

This is our ballerina with her mom and pops after the first evening's performance.

 

 

Holly was five different characters in the play - above she is three different dancers plus she was a nurse and a ballrina in a white tutu.

 

Thank you, Holly!!!

 

Love to all,    Gramma and MOM