Grandma, the Hired Man

Grandma has been wanting to ride in the combine with Dick for a couple of years now.  I didn't know how we would be able to get her up in it because there is no way she could climb the ladder.  Uncle Dick called this morning and asked if I had time to bring Grandma out today because he was combining just north of the farm and the skid stir (or whatever that thing is) was there and he could lift Grandma into the combine.  Worked like a charm - he lifted us up to the little landing on the top of the steps and Grandma could step right into the cab.

 

Does she look like she's enjoying herself?  She did!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Hope your day was as exciting was Grandma's was.

Love to each of you,
Gramma and MOM

Slight Interupption for Music



In the last week, we have had the privilege of seeing two of our favorite grandkids (there are four favorites) perform with their band/orchestras.

 

This is Chase's first year in the Pipestone Marching Arrows Band and we think he did awesome.  Chase has been playing the trombone since they moved to Pipestone and he was going into the 5th grade.  Next weekend he will be in the parade in Luverne and then participating in the band show or whatever it's called when they do their "performing or as Amy calls it, their dance".  I've been waiting for this special day since I heard Chase had joined the marching band.  We are so proud of you, Chase.  Keep it up!!!!

 Be sure to exercise those lips of yours!!!!

 I'd have taken more pictures of him but it was hard to keep track of where he was - they all look alike and they keep moving around.

 Last Friday night was a beautiful evening in Sioux Center where we went to attend Holly's first college orchestra concert.  The sky was such a beautiful blue as we were walking across campus.

 She spotted us!!!  Isn't she cute?  She's a 70's gal.....

 It was a fun concert - some music from several eras - from the 40's to the 80's.

 Miss Holly with one of her roommates, Tara.  Don't you LOVE the pants Holly's wearing.    Aunt Amy said she would pay the deposit so Holly could keep them but only if she promised to wear them.  Holly did not agree.

 

We are so proud of both Holly and Chase and plan to attend many more concerts and band performances this fall.  Love to you both,

 

Gramma

Coming Home from Washington

I was reminded again recently to "get with it" and post on my blog.  It's so much easier to post if I keep up but I also want to include my summer pictures, so once again I'll try.

 

As you both know, Dad and I took Chase home with us from Washington - what a fun kid to take on a trip.  He's up for anything and doesn't even complain with Grampa spends three hours at a museum that it took him only an hour to go through.

 

Our first stop was Leavenworth, Washington - a neat little Bavarian town.  We actually just stopped for lunch and walked around a little.  It was so hot - they have "misters" above some of the sidewalks to keep people cool.  We sat under one while we had ice cream.

 

 Then off to Yellowstone.  We came in through the north gate and almost the first wildlife we saw were these elk sitting in front of the medical clinic.  They must be rather tame because you had to go up the steps right next to where the big male was lying.

 Mammoth Hot Springs - there was a lava-something flowing down these hills and it would solidify along the way.  It smells pretty bad but very interesting.  Lots of unusual things in Yellowstone.

 

Quick stop for some snacks - there were trees in this area that showed this was a favorite spot for the bears.  Lots of claw marks and "bear hair" on several trees but don't worry, we didn't see any bears. - YET

I forget what these were called - thermal pools, I think.  They were beautiful.  My pictures didn't capture how colorful they were.  Lots of steam coming off them.  These were some of Chase's favorite pools.  He had studied Yellowstone and it's natural phenomenon in science so he was just a wealth of information - I was amazed and rather proud of how much he had retained about thermal pools and geysers and all that and the differences between each of them.

We only had to wait about 15 minutes for Old Faithful to "blow" and we had almost front row seats.  This is my favorite sight at Yellowstone and I was as excited to see it as I was the first time.  Absolutely amazing.  One of the rangers gave a short little talk about geysers in general and Old Faithful in particular a few minutes before it went off.

 Me and my very favorite teenaged young man.

Happy Tuesday to all!!!

Love,
Gramma and MOM