Papa & Grammy Visit

In early August, Grammy and Papa drove out for a visit. You know your parents love you when they plan a visit smack in the middle of a hot and humid summer in Texas! It was a unique experience for them to split time with two different families in the same community. We were able to enjoy a few activities all together during their visit. One such activity was going to see some bats in downtown Houston. Kim had heard about this event, and we all thought our boys would love it. 

For some reason, thousands of bats have made their home underneath this random overpass. Each night near sundown, the bats awaken and make a mass exodus

Before the bats officially flew out, we peeked under the overpass. We could hear the bats, SMELL the awful bat smell...

...and even catch a few glimpses of some small awakening bats.

The boys waited somewhat patiently...

Gradually, the bats started to come out from hiding and fly in circles underneath the overpass. Suddenly, and seemingly for no particular reason, the bats all simultaneously flew out into the nighttime air. It was hard to capture the moment on camera, but it was quite fascinating to watch!

Thanks for letting us tag along on this trip, Matt and Kim!

A few days after our bat outing, Grammy and Papa came to stay at our home. Jaden and Cody could hardly contain their excitement! They couldn't wait to have two new playmates. For the first hour or so after Grammy and Papa's arrival, the boys suggested game after game to play. Papa and Grammy willingly shot a few baskets, 

played a LOT of hide-and-seek,

and designed Lite-Brite creations.

Another day, Grammy took out a game that she frequently plays with her tutoring kids. Cody and Jaden were very interested in these puzzle-games.

Papa even gave Cody and Jaden a front-row seat to his Cardinals-viewing one night!

Often, the boys would rope Papa and Grammy into playing games before they were even showered or ready for the day yet! Papa and Cody count for yet another game of hide-and-seek.

Cody and Jaden showed Papa and Grammy how to play Cootie....

...and Busy Town. What wonderful playmates!

One morning, we met Kim and her boys at the Children's Museum. Grammy and Papa had gifted our boys with an annual pass to this museum for their birthday. We wanted Grammy and Papa to see just how much Cody and Jaden appreciated their gift! The boys enjoyed the large lite-brite,

fishing at the water table,

reading books with Daddy and cousin Nathan,

building with Papa,

driving the fire truck with cousin Ryan,

and burying Ian in the mulch pit.

Ryan even took a turn later but didn't last as long as Ian. :)

We took a break for a picnic lunch outside the museum.

And then it was back inside for more playtime! By far, Cody and Jaden's favorite activity was "shopping" for food. They loved identifying all the food items that they put in their baskets. Daddy served as the cashier at first.

As the kids "scanned" their items, a small light would shine on their items. What a fun activity center! The boys could've shopped all morning!

Ian took a turn as a cashier, too. Daddy even gave the boys some real money to use when it was time to purchase their food. I'm sure this section of the museum will be a popular one for our boys for quite some time!

Another day, Papa and Grammy gave Jaden and Cody a new experience in the kitchen-- making homemade soup noodles. After Papa made the dough, both boys helped roll it flat.

 

Then it was time to cut the noodles. At their home, Papa and Grammy do this step the easy way, with their pasta machine. Since we don't own one, Grammy taught the boys how to cut the dough by hand. The tasty soup they made was well worth the extra efforts!

We loved our time with Grammy and Papa! This last series of pictures is one that best captures Cody and Jaden's joy at playing with their grandparents. Recently, the boys have really enjoyed performing short action rhymes from their High Five magazine (thanks for this wonderful subscription, Grammy and Papa!). After acting out a few rhymes on their own, Cody and Jaden asked Grammy and Papa to join them....

"Put your elbows on your knees"

"Give yourself a squeeze!"

And.... "dance, dance, dance!"

We love you so much, Grammy and Papa! Thanks for your willingness to play games and be silly, for your love and care for our family, and for your models of faith to us all. We enjoyed your visit!