Rio Verde Cookout

Attending the Rio Verde cookout when we visit is something we really look forward to. It's held in a unique spot--a bunch of low-hanging trees covered in lights canopy picnic tables. We've always had fun at the cookouts, but once Grant came along they became even more enjoyable! He was out on the dance floor within minutes of arriving. Here he is later in the night with Grandma E as his dance partner. You can't attend a cookout without the proper attire (therefore I will not be pictured). We bought Grant his first cowboy shirt and hat. The tie belonged to Great-Grandpa Erickson. We were tempted to buy cowboy boots, but talked ourselves out of it.

Ahhh...it is impossible to get this boy to pose for a picture! Action shots are the best we can do.
These three were out "dancing" (running around in circles) for a good hour at the beginning of the night. Plenty of time for moms along the sidelines to get to know each other.

More AZ

Grant spent a lot of time with Grandpa today. This morning he helped him wash the car and golf cart. He said "I'm a good washer man." When I asked my dad if Grant was a good helper he responded "yes, he was quite focused and on task." Ha! That's quite a compliment coming from my dad. In the afternoon Grandpa watched Grant for 3 hours while my mom and I got out for some shopping. That was really nice! We went to Kierland Commons, which is a lot like the 50th and France area (but with nice weather). It's a very wealthy area and also a tourist attraction, so there are two types of people there. Very well-dressed, ritzy-looking ones and visitors who are clearly from the Midwest! (I'm definitely in the visitor category while my mom falls somewhere in between).

While we were out Grandpa took Grant to the mini-golf putting course at Tonto Verde. Here Grant did not live up to his earlier on-task performance and was reportedly distracted. However Grandpa got lots of attention from the female golfers driving by, so it was a successful trip.

Here's what Grant and I do when we're up in the morning LONG before anyone else is.

We went to the cookout last night, so will have pictures of that to post as soon as Grandpa puts them on the computer for me.

Arizona

Hello from Arizona! We have been thoroughly enjoying the SUN and WARMTH. I keep saying to Grant, "isn't it nice that we don't have to put on a jacket, hat, mitts and boots?!" I'm not sure if he fully appreciates this luxury...but he does love being outside.

Our flight couldn't have been better. He was so excited to be on an airplane. We had a window seat, but unfortunately we were right above a wing. He fell asleep 20 minutes after we took off and had a long nap. For the rest of the trip we read, ate gummy bears and played with trains.

Being here makes us all think back to a year ago and how much he has changed. Last year at this time the most exciting thing he did was push a little chair around the house and say "bye." We thought that was pretty great!

I'll be back soon to post more pictures because we do a lot of picture-taking here AND because mom and dad finally got high-speed internet!

Grant's Passport

Some of you may not have seen Grant's passport photograph (pictured on the left).

Do you think anyone at the State Department had a laugh when doing his passport?

Easter 2008

The weekend started out with a guest--Abby came to stay while her parents saw the MN orchestra perform Led Zeppelin. When we told Grant she was going to sleep in his crib he said "with me?"

Grant was a little embarrassed that his parents make him watch DVD's on a laptop... Abby was very polite and didn't tease him.

Our first order of business once we arrived in Rochester, was to visit Great Grandma Bowman! We brought her an easter basket; Grant continuously prompted her with "want to open it?" We had very nice visit and hope to make it back soon.

Next we got to Adam, Sarah and Owen's house. Owen is 10 months old and adorable! Grant liked touching his head and ears for some reason...

The happy family. Once we ditched the kids (thanks to grandparents!), we got out for a fun dinner at Newt's in downtown Rochester. To our surprise, Tyler, Michael and some of their friends were seated at the table next to us!

We had a very nice Easter brunch at a beautiful country club in Byron. It was so fun to see all the little kids dressed up. (Grant wore his Easter sweater, but we figured he might be a little chilly in the matching shorts...)

Apparently the Easter bunny falls in the same category as Chuck E Cheese--NOT cool. He's OK to admire from a distance, but in this close of proximity Grant clings to me. In order to get this picture I had to stand with my back to the bunny.

Here we all are looking ready for spring!

Once we got home we had to look through the goods again.

It is very hard to get Grant to actually look at the camera and smile purposefully. However, we discovered today that is possible if you make the camera TALK. Actually, we can get Grant to do just about anything if we make inanimate objects talk to him. It all started when he refused to let me put on his diaper cream. In desperation I held it up, wiggled it, and said "please let me make your butt feel better Grant." Well now "special cream" is his best friend. He asks "him" questions like "what you doing special cream?" and "where you come from special cream?" For a while I felt pretty silly, but this weekend Ben and Mavis were making things come alive left and right...so I guess it's OK. Mavis had the brilliant suggestion of making the potty talk--I'll keep you posted!

Here is a look of pure enjoyment. (definitely my son)

We hope you all had a wonderful weekend as well. We wished we could have been with all the family. Grant and I fly out to AZ this Tuesday morning and then we'll head to Mexico on Friday. We return the 5th. I'm sure we'll have lots and lots of pictures to post when we get back!

Auntie Teens

We love it when Auntie Teens comes over! We give her dinner (always delicious) and she puts Grant to bed for us. She was a little put off the other night when after reading to Grant he said "put me in crib now."

Another cute story: when I was taking Grant to a storytime/sing along at the library the other day Grant said "guitar makes me happy." "Books make me happy too." Awwww!

Grandpa Peterson

Four generations.

Fond memories.

Jenna's Graduation Party.

Grandson showing off great-grandson.

Ben's grandpa (Mavis' Dad) passed away last night. Ben has many fond memories of his grandpa some of which include visiting him at the farm, spending Christmas together and showing off Grant.

I have had the privilege of getting to know Arnold over the past ten or so years. I have always thought a lot of him as he was a very gentle and kind man. We are so very glad that Grant had the opportunity to spend time with Arnold. On weekend stays with Grammy, Mavis brought Grant to Grand Meadow several times. Grant took a keen interest to Arnold's scooter (in particular the horn).

Mavis has been so giving of herself over the past years; she has been an example to us of the love between a child and parent. We know she will miss him dearly, as will we.

What we've been up to....

Grant has come a long way in the tooth-brushing department! He's really learning how to do a good job on his own (thank goodness). I'm not saying there's not still a significant amount of dawdling...but at least he's more interested in brushing than playing with the faucets.

Our current favorite book that Grandma E bought while we were in Brainerd. It's about a naughty (what?!) basset hound.

New bulldozer jammies!

Grant's friend Ella. Notice the hand!

A Day at the Park

This week has flown by! The "spring" weather has helped. It's amazing how excited we Minnesotans can get about 40 and 50 degree weather! Everyone I saw this week (including us) had an extra spring in their step (pardon the pun).

Yesterday we went to a nearby park. We thought we were all alone until about 10 preschoolers came out of the warming house. Grant was in the swing, and when they started pointing at us he said "they're looking at me!" They were actually headed for Gretta... Then about 5 of them started pushing Grant in the swing--he loved the attention! He said "they're helping me!" Then out nowhere he says "you see the moon up there?!" Ben and I think this means he's going to be a geek.

Grant is really good at sharing.....and he's trying to teach his Daddy. The other night Ben was eating some chips--Grant sneaked a few and said "you're sharing with me Daddy, thanks for sharing."

More Weekend Pictures

Before we went into the museum, Grant sat down and got to know the man

who makes his Happy Meals!

There are many times when Grant says something that makes us
laugh...and then I forget it. Here's one I managed to hang on to:
Grant told his Daddy last night "you make this dinner, daddy? You a
good cooking man." That made Ben very happy!

I'm not sure what Grant did at school today. He answered no to "Did
you sing songs and Did you read books?" and to "Did you play with
toys" he responded "Teacher say no toys." Hmmmm...doesn't sound like
much fun!

I work all three nights this week--I haven't done that in about a
month! My class is very small now that 4 of my students moved into
the intermediate level. That's OK though, the remaining students need
plenty of help!

Museum

Here are some pictures from our trip to the Children's Museum this
morning. Grant is at the perfect age for the miniature grocery store,
bus, post office, etc... He also really liked the room where the kids
can dance and play instruments to various songs--even better is
watching himself on TV--with a psychedelic background to make it look
like a music video.

Ben DID try to start on the toddler bed, but it's all a scam because
first you have to go out and buy a frame. So now we might just get him
set up in a twin bed instead. There's really no hurry; he's not trying
to climb out or anything.

We are really excited for our trip. Only 2 weeks from Tuesday until
Grant and I leave for AZ! After 4 days there we'll fly to Cabo San
Lucas, Mexico to meet up with Ben, Mavis and Michael.

Trip to Bay Lake

Grant had yet another birthday party at Granny's last week. He had not qualms about that... We also got over to see Grandpa Jerry at Magnum Machining. Grant left with two hockey pucks, a book and a Magnum hat--not bad!

Grandpa E was in town this week to attend the funeral of Granny's dear brother Ralph. Grant and I also went to the funeral, which was in Granny's hometown of Kimball (SW of St.Cloud). Granny has shared many fond stories of her and her brother and we know she loved him very much. We were glad to be with her at the funeral. Although we do need to ask Grammy Mavis how on earth she got Grant to sit through all of Great Grandpa Bowman's funeral.

That's all for now. We're looking forward to a weekend with Daddy. Look for another post soon as Daddy has promised to convert Grant's crib to a toddler bed! (any votes on how many beers that will take?)

Grandma E is in town!

Sorry to have taken so long to add another post--our internet has been down (really). Grandma got into town last Friday. We had an afternoon of shopping in downtown Minneapolis along Nicollet Ave. My mom hadn't been there since she was in college. Kristine and I were really impressed when she was up at the counter buying a pair of shoes within minutes of entering Macy's! Ben and Troy met up with us later on for a wonderful dinner at Ichiban. Grant spent the evening at our babysitter's house. When she couldn't do it (and I was noticeably panicked) she called back and offered her mom up! Her parents are very nice and I think they all had a good time together.

Grant got a wonderful kitchen set from Grammy Mavis for his birthday! We just love it. Grant is always offering to make us things. The other day he offered me hot chocolate and a muffin....I was kind of disappointed he couldn't really deliver.

Today we are going up to the lake to spend two nights at Granny's. We're having yet another bday celebration! Luckily there are some leftover John Deere party supplies. We're hoping to stop by Magnum to see Jerry and Tyler as well.

Happy 2nd Birthday Grant!

After celebrating for the past two weeks, the actual day has finally come. My weekly email from babycenter.com that updates me on development was titled "your preschooler." I must have missed that--I didn't know he was supposed to be in preschool already! Hopefully Jesus school is enough.

Tonight we ventured to Chuck E Cheese in West St.Paul. It was crazy! We forgot that kids don't have school tomorrow. We somehow found a table to sit at and Ben went off to order us pizza and BEER (FYI--not bad pizza!). Grant spotted Chuck E Cheese across the room and couldn't take his eyes off him. After we had eaten Grant said "let's go see Chuck E." So Ben walked him over there, but at about 20 feet away Grant wanted to turn back. So we had some more pizza, and Grant continued to watch Chuck E's every move. He decided he was ready to try again....this time I took him over and once we got close to Chuck E Grant tried to run away and cried "I don't like him!"

After making our way through the crowds we got to play a couple games and go on some rides. Grant's favorite was the bulldozer. He earned 10 tickets with which he purchased two Chuck E tatoos. On our way home we called Grandma E. Grant told her "go to Chuck E Cheese, I don't like him, he's scary." I then got on the phone with Grandma E. who whole-heartedly agrees that Chuck E Cheese is scary.

One more cute story about our sweet guy. Last night he refused to let Ben read him a story at bedtime. Poor Ben struggled through the first 4 pages with Grant wailing in his lap. So I took over, but made sure he knew that Daddy felt bad. Well tonight when Ben said "time for bed" and picked Grant up, Grant said "read me story, you happy now." Terrible twos? Not our guy! However, please check back in case there's a change in status. :-)