Summer Visit to Grandma & Grandpa's

Anna's Riding gear

Anna's summer adventures continued with a week long visit to Grandma and Grandpa's house in Ohio.  This is one of Anna's favorite vacation destinations....a kid resort of sorts.  There is always entertainment planned and Grandma let's her eat all the food that Mom and Dad usually do not (a few trips to McDonald's for a Happy Meal can always be expected).

Mom and Dad flew Anna out July 27 and stayed for a long weekend.  The weather was unusually cool for the end of July/beginning of August with temperatures in the 60s, making jackets a necessity.  Sunday everyone headed to Grand Rapids, Ohio to enjoy a canal boat ride and tour of the mill.  Theresa enjoyed walking around the town and was able to give Joe a tour of the 100+ year old court house (Joe was initially concerned about getting through building security since he did not have identification with him until he was reassured that the extent of the security was the sign on a door that read "no weapons").

Joe also got to witness the responsiveness of small town government after Anna pointed out some foul language graffiti-ed on the playground (or as she exclaimed, "Daddy, come look at the magic words).  Well, there were A LOT of magic words all over the playground.  On the way back from the playground, Theresa stopped at the Mayor's house to report the problem.  In the meantime, she also got an  updates on the sewer line replacement and the new water treatment facility.  The mayor promptly called the village office.  Grandpa reported that all graffiti was cleaned up within two days.  Now that is service!

Joe and Theresa left Monday, leaving Anna for a fun-filled week with her grandparents.  The highlight of the week was without a doubt horseback riding.  Grandma found a place that offered lessons.  Anna had a blast!  She said she rode "Western style" and even learned how to get the horse to trot.  Of course you can't ride a horse without appropriate attire, and Grandma and Grandpa found the requisite pink cowgirl boots with a matching hat.  She was stylish!

The rest of the week was filled with activities, including:

• Helping Grandma freeze corn
• Picking cucumbers and tomatoes from the Garden
• Driving the tractor, including hauling cucumbers from the neighbors in the wagon
• Riding bike with Grandpa
• Playing at the park
• Attempting to swim (the weather was too cold or it rained every time she tried to go)
• Baking cookies
• Learning to sew on the sewing machine
• Running remote control cars with Grandpa
• Dinner at the A&W Rootbeer stand (a hotdog & rootbeer float, complete with tray on the car window)

While Anna was gone, Joe and Theresa enjoyed some nice dinners and a quick getaway to  Richmond, where they were able to enjoy some of the Civil War sites.  It was definitely quiet without Anna!

Grandma flew back to Virginia with Anna today and will be staying for the week.  Joe is in Phoenix for work and managed to see Anna as she was getting off the plane and right before he had to get on another plane (what luck that his gate was right across from her's).

Thanks Grandma & Grandpa for a great week!