Idaho

We made a long overdue trip to Idaho to visit my Dad and (step)Mom. (In the photo, the dog kept trying to bite C.J. I never quite got a good picture of her! She is a beautiful woman but my pictures don't do her justice!) We like to visit them every 4th of July but didn't get out there this year. My Mom's Mother passed away and that pushed us to make the time.
Max and Lilly were so happy spend some time with their Grandma and Grandpa, too! They love visiting Grandma's and Grandpa's farm.
At the house they have poodles but a mile down the road, at the farm, there are ducks, spaniels, a horse, and mice.
It is always awe-inspiring to see the changes at the house and farm. My Dad has a McGyver-like way about him. He is constantly changing things and doing it in inventive ways. I think I get my decorating gene from him. But he is much more frugal and original. Dad was trying to coax the ducks over to get some food out of the kids hands. The ducks would not budge! I think the kids sat quiet and still for a good 15 minutes just hoping those ducks would come over. Finally, just when they were about to give up, "Click" (or "Clack"...I can't remember who is who) came over and snatched some food from Max. Yay!
Of course I didn't get a picture of the duck finally eating out of Max's hand. I had long given up hope. Max had not.
On our last day, we took Mom and Dad to breakfast. Miss Lilly was misbehaving! She got out of her chair and ran around the restaurant. I was quickly following after her but she ran into the kitchen!
I finally caught the little devil and had a swift talk with her outside in the brisk cold. I got her buckled in a chair and Grandpa's pen came to the rescue Lilly enjoyed drawing until her meal came.
BUT, even with that distraction she is so high maintenance. Alan and I just shake our heads and wonder when we will be able to uneventfully eat in a restaurant with her. Grandma and Grandpa didn't seem too bothered by her antics. I think that comes with the title. They know the kids only get to visit so they can tolerate a little more than Mom and Dad can. My kids were very sad to leave though. Max kept trying to figure out a way he could stay. We'll visit again soon. When it is a little warmer. Thanks Grandpa and Grandma!