Grand Forks!

So, we went to Minnesota! We try to get to North Dakota twice a year to visit my grandparents (the kids' great grandparents). Not many kids are lucky enough to have four story telling, candy giving, park playing, coloring assistant, science investigating great grandparents. As an added bonus, both sets of Great Grandparents live in the same town, which makes things easier. We try to take full advantage. The only problem is the great grandparents live in North Dakota which is roughly 3 billion miles away. Or, a 7ish hour car ride and another 7ish hour car ride. However you measure it, it is a long way to drive.

This is North Dakota. It is flat. Really flat. Although kind of pretty in this picture. John reports that the fields of green were waving in the wind similar to a body of water. I wouldn't know because I was snoozing with the kids in the backseat.

But, there are things that make it worth the while - like sitting on the porch at GranGerry &TA's house with our kids.
Or even better, watching them sit on the porch with their great grandkids (GranGerry is holding Amelia).
Mr. BusyBusy doesn't sit anywhere for long if he has a choice! After riding in the car, he required a lot of running. Here he is coming down the sidewalk with Daddy at top speed.
Another noteworthy event: 4 generations in one place! TA McGarry, Kevin McGary, Amelia Heidt, Kelly McGarry Heidt, Gerry Chamness McGarry
Otherwise known as Wobbly Park (for the wobbly swings they had when I was growing up). Sometimes there are things you do with your kids that hit you hard unexpectedly. Somehow, every time I bring our kids to this park I get a little...emotional. Hence the sunglasses so you don't see my happy (hormonal) tears at bring our daughter to Wobbly Park for the first time.
The park now has a very cool fire truck to drive
It is even more fun to drive with Daddy
Daddy pushing on the swing. You can't see it, but they both have huge smiles on their faces!

I don't think Amelia was put down for more than 2.34532 seconds before being picked up again. Definitely spoiled!
And Amelia wasn't the only one being spoiled! William had more than his share of "cannies" from Great Grandpa Budd (you can always depend on him to have a pocket full of M&M's)!
Grandma Nona and Amelia
She also played with William - here they are building a domino house for William to knock down. He never helps you build it up, but doesn't ever miss an opportunity to knock something you've painstakingly built down.
Ha ha! Grandma! Knocked it down!
Coloring in the kitchen - great Grandma helped him make a fun puppet! Named Bill (funny, huh?)!
Pretty serious stuff, coloring! Doesn't it look like he is doing homework?
4 Generations (l-r): Nona Oien Wennersten, Kimberly Wennersten McGarry, Amelia Ann Heidt, Kelly McGarry Heidt

How special is this picture? I was so mad at myself for forgetting to take this picture in May when we were home! I'm so SO very glad we were able to make it happen this time!
Great Grandparents and their great grandkids
I love this one because my grandpa is laughing, even if it isn't as nice of everyone else!
More laughing!
Great Grandpa holding Amelia

I'm not sure how it came about, but William discovered a magnifying glass to explore with. Hilarious! He called it a "megifying glass" and declared everything he looked at BIG!

My what big eyes you have!

Everything is new and exciting through the eyes of a little boy! This is a great toy!

Let me help you with that Grandpa!

The plant is BIG! Wow!

Look! A digger! At a park! I don't know who enjoyed this more: Daddy or William?
Or maybe...grandpa?

The day we left, GranGerry made caramel rolls for us. William was fan!
Before leaving town, we stopped to say goodbye to Grandma Nona and Grandpa Budd. William also needed one last story before getting in the car it looks like...