Grandpa (with Grandma) visits Maddie…and Ben and Christy

Since Bob hadn’t seen Maddie, Ben and Christy since New Years we went for a visit the first weekend he was back from Australia. Christy had a wedding shower for a family friend so we met Ben and Maddie at our favorite place to eat~~Krony’s.

Maddie was a little unsure of us since it had been a while and we were in a strange place for her. She was happiest sitting across from us on Daddy’s lap. But once we got home she sat on the couch between Daddy and Grandpa and warmed up quickly to him. I think she recognized some similarities between Daddy and Grandpa.

We had a great weekend again visiting and getting to know Maddie better. I couldn’t believe the changes in her in just the short time I had seen her. GG and GP (Great Grandma and Grandpa King) were able to stop by and met Maddie for the first time. She did very well. She went quickly to GG and sat on Great Grandpa’s lap for a short while. Mommy and Daddy showed us her new ability of being able to stand up while hanging on to the ottoman. 

Grandpa showing Maddie books on his Nook.

"Stories just for me, Grandpa!"

I love how she is watching Grandpa in these photos!

It didn't take long that first night to get to Grandpa's lap!

Meeting GG

and GP

So many cameras, where do I look?

Four generations

GG kissing those lips!





Look at me!

Loving Grandpa at Mommy's 30th surprise party

Bath time with Mommy is the best!

Grandma visits Maddie …and Ben and Christy

After being home a couple of days from Phil and Rachel’s, Sammy and I headed out to visit Ben, Christy and Maddie. We had a good trip and arrived just before Ben and Maddie came home. Since it had been four months since Maddie had seen me, she was a little unsure at first especially since she was hungry and a little tired. So Daddy gave her dinner while I sat and watched and we talked. After her bottle we were able to visit with her on Ben’s lap and me sitting next to her.

The next day I was able to hold her and feed her a bottle and we fast become friends. We had fun laughing, playing and reading books. It was a wonderful time of getting to know her and seeing her personality and how much she loves Mommy and Daddy and how much they love her. I’m so glad I was able to visit and be a part of their everyday life for a while. 

Thanks Ben, Christy and Maddie for letting me visit for so long, I had a wonderful time!



It was dinner time when I arrived!



Staying close to Dad while getting used to Grandma.

Glad to see Daddy home after work!

She's a good eater!

Maddicus loves her Mommy!

and her Daddy!

Maddie loves bath time!

Mommy playing with Maddie...

peek a boo!

Maddie loves books.
I even got her to sleep that night!

Ready for a day with Lita! (Abuelita- Grandma White)

It's great being a Grandma!

We bought this puzzle back from Australia for Maddie,
but Mommy and Daddy had fun playing with it!
This was Christy's creation...

and this was Ben's!

"Uncle Sammy" has fun in the basement.
(Christy dubbed him Uncle Sammy)

He likes to sleep in their chair.

What a beautiful face....

Grandma had fun with Maddie!

A beatiful smile!!!

Thanks

I had a great time with Phil, Rachel and Klaus and enjoyed watching the lake and the wildlife. It is so nice to be able to picture them in their home and their surrounding area. It makes them feel so much closer even though they are still so far away!

The train trip home was a little bit longer. The train was three hours late due to the flooding along the rail lines and I missed my connection in Chicago. The same couple I met at the beginning of the trip had the same return trip as I did so we traveled together all the way home. They made arrangements for us all and I arrived home four hours late but safe. I’m so glad it happened on the way home and not the way out!

Thanks Phil, Rachel and Klaus I had a great time!!!!

Thanks for showing me around

Thanks Rachel for picking me up in the early morning hours and playing games






Thanks Phil for showing me around church and taking me to the train and...

to Ben Franklin!
(Years ago I used to go to a Ben Franklin store all the time)



Thanks Klaus for all the licks and love

Thanks for letting me come and stay with you

Thanks for all the good food



Can't wait to meet the little one!



Thanks for letting me come and hang out!

Pickerel Lake

Phil and Rachel live on Pickerel Lake. It is a beautiful lake and I enjoyed looking at it and watching the wildlife. When I arrived there was still ice on the lake. We could watch it shift from end to end and side to side and see where it had crashed up on the shore.

Phil is checking out the ice melt.

The ice is still thick!

You can see the ice that has crashed on shore

Sunset

Easter Sunday was a beautiful day looking out on the lake. We had a wonderful dinner and relaxing afternoon as we watched the ice slowly disappear from the lake. Phil and I took an afternoon walk down the street while Rachel rested. By the end of the day any ice that was left was down at the east end out of our sight.  We even saw a jet skier out on the water enjoying his first outing of the year.

Morning

The ice is going...

going...

gone!

Another beautiful sunset!

Monday was a beautiful day and after breakfast we sat outside and enjoyed the wonderful spring day and beautiful view of the lake with the warm sunshine on our back. The sunrises and sunsets were just beautiful and I enjoyed listening to the loons at night.

What a view!

Crystal clear water

Enjoying the view and the sunshine!

Sunset ....

on a peaceful lake!