Our Grand Visit
Ok, so the thing about having my dad here, was that I lost my major excuse for not doing stuff that I think is too hard. I was getting pretty comfortable with, “No I can’t do that, I’m too old” This worked for a whole host of things, notably, for *not* risking my life on the zipline that Charley made. After my four year old did it
and especially after my dad did it, I really had nothing I could say to (literally) get me off the hook.
Here’s Geoff getting me hooked.
There was no going back at that point, and I screamed my head off all 550 feet
Once was enough for me. I still feel shakey.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. My dad went first:
And then he went again…. Upside down. Show off.
We also got about 12 hours of guitar lessons during his visit
Ryann was in heaven. Doesn’t my dad look handsome with Ryann’s pink guitar?
I also learned some new tricks
We packed a lot into two days, zip lines, guitar lessons, baseball, fishing, races, Olympic style games for the kids, and lots and lots of stories from when my dad worked in the embassy in Pakistan. SO COOL. It was the perfect visit, and really very very special. It went way too fast.
I am trying to get him to come back in October. And I’m going to try and make a trip up to AK, soon. I would really like to go in August when the silver salmon are running. That would be grand.
In other news, I’m not saying what this is all about:
In other otherly news, our new cat, Artemis, came back.
In sad news, Bobo’s goat, Spot, died. She has two babies that we’re going to have to feed from a bottle.
And lastly, I have to go pack now. We leave for OH in the morning.
Lastly last, Congrats to Jess who won her second softball game this season. Astounding. |
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June 24th, 2008 - Posted in Uncategorized | | 34 Comments 34 Responses to ' Our Grand Visit 'Leave a reply |
on June 24th, 2008 at 11:23 am
looks like a wonderful trip!
on June 24th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Your dad is very handsome. And brave too! (you won’t catch me hanging upside down on that lovingly rigged zipline….sorry beloved B.I.L.)
on June 24th, 2008 at 11:55 am
Love that pink guitar! I’m so jealous of that zipline! I’d give it a try (if it wasn’t over water….=P).
on June 24th, 2008 at 11:58 am
So glad you had a great reunion–how special!
I am LOL at that last photo. Oh that is classic! Annie, get yer gun!
on June 24th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Isn’t it a blessing when your family visits and it turns out to be a wonderful trip? I am so thankful that it’s never too late to make meaningful family memories. I am glad that the Lord gave you such a terrific two days. May He grant you more of the same soon.
on June 24th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Hey grrrl. =) I’m so glad that you all packed so much into those two days. It looks like you all had a lot of fun…and your zip line looks awesome!! What a brave gal you are to give it a whirl.
Hope you guys rake it in in OH. Travel safe…
on June 24th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
WOW, and thanks for adding me to your blog roll/friends list! We ARE salsa soul sista’s!! =)
Keep me posted as to when your convention season is over, we’ll be up there to try out that zip line (I’m thinking my kids will probably take a look and just settle on swimming, lol)
on June 24th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
I never even dreamed that when you were making sure I was really going to ride that zipline, you had been too chicken to do it yourself!?!?! Glad they made you do it! I can’t wait – it looks GREAT!!!
on June 24th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Jen,
Your furniture is exactly like mine, same color and all. We leave for GA tomorrow for a good old family vacation on Jeckyll Island. come on over if you want to and bring all your kids!!!
on June 24th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
That zipline looks FUN!
Good for you for giving it a try! (I would have screamed the whole way, too!) 😉
I’m glad that you had such a nice visit with your Dad.
God Bless,
Michelle
on June 24th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Yay Sista!! You’ve officially prevented me from needing to repo your zipline on account of non participation. It’s permanent now. 🙂 But you might need to ride it again the next time we visit. Great pics!
Well done.
on June 24th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
(applause applause) I’m so impressed that you rode the zipline. NOW you know why I screamed the whole way across. I couldn’t contain myself. It’s horribly frightening. And I’m even more impressed that Dad went on it up-side-down. What a crazy grandpa. Those are all great pics and I’m going to say the unthinkable- you look no older than Coie in that picture of all of you together. I know, I know, I can hear you asking ‘What are you, stupid?’.
It looks like you guys all had a wonderful time, and I hope you DO come up in August. That would be SPLENDID. Forget the running silvers, you’ve got a sister who is DYING to kick your tush at skip-bo, watch movies and eat chips & salsa with! but you must bring Coie.
And good luck on your conference this weekend. You’ll do great… especially with your own personal live children demonstrations. You should get Emmi an easy bake oven and have her make cookies the whole time to pass out to anyone willing hear your schpeal about how great Rosetta Stone. No one would be able to resist checking out your booth with the smell of fresh chocolate chip cookies drifting throughout the room!
Love you!
on June 24th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Great pictures. It sounds like you had a fantastic visit with your Dad. Your zip line blows away all other at-home zip lines I’ve seen, and I’ve seen some doozies. Very, very cool. I didn’t catch how LONG and HIGH it was in the other posts. The fact that you have to be strapped in should have been a big clue to me!
Good luck in Ohio. Unsolicited testimonial: Mark loves our Rosetta Stone – he figured Dads get to play with it, too. 🙂
on June 24th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Charlie… no, no need to repo the zip line, but i think i need you to make a baby sized one for me to play on. Or better yet — a little teeter totter for toddlers. that should work for me.
PS Jess, you *know* i whoop you at skip bo every single time we play…
on June 24th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
i meant CHARLEY
i can’t believe i spelled your name wrong
on June 24th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Now that (zipline) looks like a lot of fun! My kids would LOVE to ride one. I would have to stay off it for now though (being extrememly preggo). 🙂 Anyway, it looks like y’all had tons of fun.
Take care,
Angela
on June 24th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Jenn,
How do we manage to miss each other every Sunday. You musta got out of there quick. See that kitty just couldn’t pass you guys up. You still want our kitties in the making right? So glad you enjoyed your Dad. There something secretively special between a Father & Daughter. Talk to you later and be safe on your journey!
Megan
on June 24th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Great pictures.
Have a wonderful trip.
on June 24th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Good grief…just looking at you zipping across your lake or pond or whatever it is made my heart skip a beat. I think I’m still shaky!
on June 25th, 2008 at 6:12 am
Megan, we weren’t there on Sunday. we played hookey so we’d have more time with Mr. Grand
: )
And yep, I’m guessing we’ll still want a kitty or two!
on June 25th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Whooooo hooooo!!! Way to go on doing the zipline!!! I am proud of you!!:):)
And what FABULOUS pictures of your time with your Dad!:) I am glad that your time was soooo special!!! I love the family pics!!:)
I am praying for you all!!
Love and God bless!:)
on June 25th, 2008 at 9:56 am
Your Dad is so cool!
I’m totally jealous.
Sorry about the goat. Poor Spot.
We might be getting a dog from a guy who got pulled over and arrested by one of our friends….he had a puppy with him and couldn’t take it with him to jail. It needs a home and I like the story so much decided to get one more smelly animal. (if the guy doesn’t make bail and get out by the end of the week)
I must say again- your Dad is really cool!
on June 25th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
That looks incredibly fun! Almost fun enough to drive up from GA and have a visit!
Oh…I showed some linky love over at my place!
on June 25th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
I think grand is an understatement for such an awesome visit! LOL I’m loving the pink guitar too!
Oi. Your zipline is longer than our zipline (that we still have not actually put up yet). And you have a cool harness thingy… we were going to just make the kids risk it with a rope (but it would have a knot and a loop!). 😉
Safe travels to O-H-I-O! I wish I was a going with ya.
Love,
Marshie
on June 26th, 2008 at 1:57 am
(I’m shaming you all with my fingers right now) Glad to hear you enjoyed your Dad while he was here, though. OK, how long does it take a darn cat to have her babies already. I thought it went quicker than we less fortunate humans. Anywho, talk to you later, see what time I posted this. Yeah, GOODNIGHT! 🙂
Megan
on June 26th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Zipline looks so fun!
on June 26th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
I’ll have to agree with the lady who said your dad is very handsome….ha. This visit was such a pleasure and treat for me to see my daughter, her husband, and my grandchildren. Wow, what a bunch. These kids are a loving, fun, well-behaved bunch who really made GRAND feel loved and appreciated. The kids even had my vitamins (starbursts) waiting by my bedside. We had a great time just sitting around a talking and playing some tunes on the guitar and keyboard.
on June 26th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Come back over SOON, Daddems.
love Jen… who looks an awful lot like her handsome father. heh heh
on June 26th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
I’m totally jealous of the zip line. Dh is like you and says all these things about how many people get hurt every year on stuff like that. I wonder how we even have vehicles!
Good about Artemis but I’ll have an Artemis the second ready in about 5 -6 weeks should he disappear again….
sorry bout the goat.
on June 26th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
29 comments already? Hmpf.
You are way too popular!
Love,
NB
on June 26th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Hi, um, me again. 🙂
Thank you for visiting my new website! You are a dear. I’m still trying to work out the kinks, so to speak. And thank you for linking to me over here. I feel loved!
Have a great convention!
NB
on June 27th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
I would just like to note that I was NOT shooting a bird in that picture, so no one even think about turning me in.
on June 27th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Whoops, this is Coie. Didn’t realize mom was signed in.
on June 28th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
This was a lovely post to read. I am so glad you had such a great time! What beautiful pictures!! I do hope your ride home with your sick ones (your next post) was OK and that y’all made it home OK. (See, I can say y’all and I am not even from the south!)
Burning in CA,
Kate