This was the only morning that grandma didn’t make us a breakfast. I kept telling her that we usually just have cold cereal and that she was spoiling us, so that’s what we had! Then Adam and I ran into town to fill gas before we left tomorrow morning, and pick up some milk for grandma.
We played some cards with grandma and grandpa, then Carla showed up, and we had lunch. After lunch, Kim and Kassie showed up and we played dice, cards, and Wii all afternoon. Myron and Kevin came over and Kevin worked in the garden with Kassidy. Carla, Adam, and I ended up talking out on the swing about how every family has their goods and bads, and Carla told us some stories from growing up and when I was a kid, and I told some of my memories, and mentioned some stories Adam had told me about him growing up.
After dinner, Carla had to get going, because she had to work in the morning, and Myron and Kevin had some bees to move. Kim and Kassie stuck around for a little while and played more games, but I was tired. So they left and I packed up some of our stuff, so it would be quicker in the morning, and we went to bed.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Day 16: Woodburn, OR
Grandma made French toast again for breakfast. Adam read his book and played the Wii, while I talked with grandpa. He shared a book with me that was a 100 year history of Hague, ND, the place where grandpa had grown up. He told me about his family, and how he had left the farm and headed to Bismark to find a job. I found my name (mentioned as a child of one of grandpa’s children) in the book, and found a copy of a contract between the school and a teacher in 1913. She was to be paid less than $45 at the end of each month for teaching several different grades.
Soon Carla came with dinner in hand and started cooking it on the Traeger, and then Kim and Kassidy showed up. We decided to go to Silver Falls State Park and walk the trails. The state park has eleven waterfalls, and we saw four of them (Upper North, North, Twin, and Winter Falls). We walked a little over three miles, and Kassidy (who has club feet) did really well with all the walking.
Before we got all the way home, we stopped at Boschler Hardware to pick up more pellets for our Traeger grill (they’re much cheaper out here then back home, plus there’s no sales tax). When we got back, Carla and Kim helped finish getting dinner ready, and we ate. After dinner, we played some cards, and Carla, Kim and Kassidy left. Myron and Kevin stuck around to watch wrestling with grandma and grandpa, while Adam and I read our books, then went to bed.
Soon Carla came with dinner in hand and started cooking it on the Traeger, and then Kim and Kassidy showed up. We decided to go to Silver Falls State Park and walk the trails. The state park has eleven waterfalls, and we saw four of them (Upper North, North, Twin, and Winter Falls). We walked a little over three miles, and Kassidy (who has club feet) did really well with all the walking.
Before we got all the way home, we stopped at Boschler Hardware to pick up more pellets for our Traeger grill (they’re much cheaper out here then back home, plus there’s no sales tax). When we got back, Carla and Kim helped finish getting dinner ready, and we ate. After dinner, we played some cards, and Carla, Kim and Kassidy left. Myron and Kevin stuck around to watch wrestling with grandma and grandpa, while Adam and I read our books, then went to bed.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Day 15: Woodburn, OR
Adam & I slept in. I woke up before Adam, but Adam woke up later to the smell of French toast, bacon, & sausage. We ate breakfast, and showered, but before I could do my hair, my aunt Carla showed up. We sat around and chatted, and walked around the yard. Carla showed us where she had done a lot of weeding, but you couldn’t tell anymore, since no one had done it since.
My cousin Jen had said she would come over with her new baby (who is about a month older than Danni), but her fiancé wasn’t feeling well, so Carla (her mom) went to pick her up. While she was gone, Kim and Kassidy came back over, and it wasn’t long until Carla was back with Jen and baby Madison.
Jen gave Madison to me almost right away to hold, and seemed very happy to let me hold her and play with her. I enjoyed every minute of it! Madison, with her big blue eyes, just like her mom and her granny, was perfectly content to sit in my arms and watch all the people at grandma’s house oh-and-ah over her.
Around dinner time, Kevin and Myron came home, and my cousin Kayla, and her boyfriend, Wayne, came over to see us too. Kayla hadn’t met Madison yet, but didn’t hold her (I think I might have been a baby-hog the whole time). We had to use both of grandma’s tables since so many of us were there to enjoy the tenderloin that Carla cooked on the Traeger.
After dinner, I showed some of them pictures of Danni (though Kim, Kayla, and Kassie had already seen just about all of them on facebook). But grandma enjoyed seeing pictures of her great-granddaughter, who she (and grandpa) say a decade of the rosary for everyday. But, Kayla and Wayne had to head out afterwards.
Later, we walked around outside, us girls sat on the swing and played with Madison, and walked over to the garden. Kassidy, who is the best berry-picker, found some berries for us, and Jen fed me some while I kept holding Madison. I think Kassidy was afraid I would bite her fingers off or something if she fed them to me.
Madison started getting fussy though, and so Carla brought Jen back home, and then headed home herself. Kim and Kassidy didn’t stay around too much longer, and neither had Myron and Kevin. So we headed to bed.
My cousin Jen had said she would come over with her new baby (who is about a month older than Danni), but her fiancé wasn’t feeling well, so Carla (her mom) went to pick her up. While she was gone, Kim and Kassidy came back over, and it wasn’t long until Carla was back with Jen and baby Madison.
Jen gave Madison to me almost right away to hold, and seemed very happy to let me hold her and play with her. I enjoyed every minute of it! Madison, with her big blue eyes, just like her mom and her granny, was perfectly content to sit in my arms and watch all the people at grandma’s house oh-and-ah over her.
Around dinner time, Kevin and Myron came home, and my cousin Kayla, and her boyfriend, Wayne, came over to see us too. Kayla hadn’t met Madison yet, but didn’t hold her (I think I might have been a baby-hog the whole time). We had to use both of grandma’s tables since so many of us were there to enjoy the tenderloin that Carla cooked on the Traeger.
After dinner, I showed some of them pictures of Danni (though Kim, Kayla, and Kassie had already seen just about all of them on facebook). But grandma enjoyed seeing pictures of her great-granddaughter, who she (and grandpa) say a decade of the rosary for everyday. But, Kayla and Wayne had to head out afterwards.
Later, we walked around outside, us girls sat on the swing and played with Madison, and walked over to the garden. Kassidy, who is the best berry-picker, found some berries for us, and Jen fed me some while I kept holding Madison. I think Kassidy was afraid I would bite her fingers off or something if she fed them to me.
Madison started getting fussy though, and so Carla brought Jen back home, and then headed home herself. Kim and Kassidy didn’t stay around too much longer, and neither had Myron and Kevin. So we headed to bed.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Day 14: Woodburn, OR
Adam and I got up early around 5am, though we hadn’t slept very well, and hit the road hoping to beat traffic on the 405. We did, and got to I-5 just fine, heading for Mt. Angel, OR to stay with my grandparents. We listened to some CD’s that Jacque had borrowed us called “Stephen Colbert: I Am America (And So Can You).”
We ended up getting to my grandparent’s about 7pm, and my aunt Kim and cousin Kassidy had just gotten there. Shortly later, my uncles Myron and Kevin came over too. Kevin had picked up kabobs to grill on the Trager grill. Kassidy brought me back to the garden and we picked some berries. We watched Kevin feed the kitties. Myron and Kevin didn’t stick around too long, but Kim and Kassidy stuck around for a while.
Adam and I had made Mii’s on grandma & grandpa’s Wii. Grandma & grandpa love playing bowling and others games on it. Grandma is very proud of her star ball when she bowls. We played a few games, then Kim and Kassidy left, and Adam & I went to bed.
We ended up getting to my grandparent’s about 7pm, and my aunt Kim and cousin Kassidy had just gotten there. Shortly later, my uncles Myron and Kevin came over too. Kevin had picked up kabobs to grill on the Trager grill. Kassidy brought me back to the garden and we picked some berries. We watched Kevin feed the kitties. Myron and Kevin didn’t stick around too long, but Kim and Kassidy stuck around for a while.
Adam and I had made Mii’s on grandma & grandpa’s Wii. Grandma & grandpa love playing bowling and others games on it. Grandma is very proud of her star ball when she bowls. We played a few games, then Kim and Kassidy left, and Adam & I went to bed.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Day 13: Los Angles, CA - PODS Day!
PODS day! They day we had been waiting for! Adam and I weren’t really comfortable packing the rest of the stuff in the house, so while Jacque and Corey were packing the last of the boxes, Adam carried boxes from their condo down to the sidewalk, and I sat in one of their antigravity chairs reading a book, making sure no one stole their stuff. I know, I really did have the hardest job! Then Corey, thinking that I had an easy job or something, gave me his cell phone for when the PODS people called to say they were on their way.
The PODS pod finally got there around 11am. It was super cool to watch then drop it off. The lady had a remote control for this pod mover that had an engine on the back and for posts with wheels that can turn on a dime. And the thing lifts the pod up off the truck, then she steers it with her remote control and pulled it into the parking space, and lowered it. Then unhooked the thing and used her remote control to steer the mover back onto her truck. Super cool.
Then the hard work began (for me anyway!). We started moving stuff actually into the pod. Jacque and Corey wanted certain things that they would need right away towards the front. So we made a pile off to the side, then started throwing the rest of the stuff in the pod, using the mattress, box spring, and some furniture to hold boxes in and help with tying things in place. Kelly came again, about half way through packing the pod, and helped.
To my surprise, we finished about 3pm, and at that point we all needed showers. Kelly invited us over after we had showered, and headed home. While Jacque and I showered, Adam and Corey bubbled wrapped Corey’s most precious belong (his flat screen tv), and packed it in our car (he worried about it in the pod).
Once they had showered, we picked up Addy from daycare and headed to Kelly’s, where we waited around for some of their friends to show up. Once most everyone was there, we headed to In-and-Out burger for dinner, as Corey had to eat there one last time before they left Cali. Jacque and Corey wanted to spend time talking with their friends for probably the last time, so Adam and I hung out at the end of the tables. But I ended up talking to one of their friends, Lance for a while. Nice guy. Before we left though, we all stood in front of the In-and-Out sign and one of the employees took a picture of all of us. Jacque and Corey, of course, donning their In-and-Out burger hats.
Then we headed back to Kelly’s house and hung out for a little while, until people started leaving (and Addy started getting tired). When we got home, Corey put Addy straight to bed, and she was out without fussing. We talked for a couple minutes, got ready for bed, and said our goodbyes, which really didn’t seem like good-bye, but more of a ta-ta-for-now. Since pretty much everything was in the pod, Addy slept in Jacque & Corey’s room in her play pen, Jacque and Corey slept in Addy’s room on the Murphy bed, and Adam and I slept on the pull-out bed (which wasn’t theirs, but was getting donated to the Salvation Army) in the living room.
The PODS pod finally got there around 11am. It was super cool to watch then drop it off. The lady had a remote control for this pod mover that had an engine on the back and for posts with wheels that can turn on a dime. And the thing lifts the pod up off the truck, then she steers it with her remote control and pulled it into the parking space, and lowered it. Then unhooked the thing and used her remote control to steer the mover back onto her truck. Super cool.
Then the hard work began (for me anyway!). We started moving stuff actually into the pod. Jacque and Corey wanted certain things that they would need right away towards the front. So we made a pile off to the side, then started throwing the rest of the stuff in the pod, using the mattress, box spring, and some furniture to hold boxes in and help with tying things in place. Kelly came again, about half way through packing the pod, and helped.
To my surprise, we finished about 3pm, and at that point we all needed showers. Kelly invited us over after we had showered, and headed home. While Jacque and I showered, Adam and Corey bubbled wrapped Corey’s most precious belong (his flat screen tv), and packed it in our car (he worried about it in the pod).
Once they had showered, we picked up Addy from daycare and headed to Kelly’s, where we waited around for some of their friends to show up. Once most everyone was there, we headed to In-and-Out burger for dinner, as Corey had to eat there one last time before they left Cali. Jacque and Corey wanted to spend time talking with their friends for probably the last time, so Adam and I hung out at the end of the tables. But I ended up talking to one of their friends, Lance for a while. Nice guy. Before we left though, we all stood in front of the In-and-Out sign and one of the employees took a picture of all of us. Jacque and Corey, of course, donning their In-and-Out burger hats.
Then we headed back to Kelly’s house and hung out for a little while, until people started leaving (and Addy started getting tired). When we got home, Corey put Addy straight to bed, and she was out without fussing. We talked for a couple minutes, got ready for bed, and said our goodbyes, which really didn’t seem like good-bye, but more of a ta-ta-for-now. Since pretty much everything was in the pod, Addy slept in Jacque & Corey’s room in her play pen, Jacque and Corey slept in Addy’s room on the Murphy bed, and Adam and I slept on the pull-out bed (which wasn’t theirs, but was getting donated to the Salvation Army) in the living room.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Day 12: Los Angles, CA
On Monday, the cable internet & tv were shut off. So it was down to work. Corey & Adam went to Best Buy to get rid of a couple of computers that didn’t work. Jacque’s Mac book stopped working, and since I am going to be getting a Mac book at my new job, I got the extra charger.
Later Jacque, Corey, and Addy ran to Verizon to add Jacque to Corey’s plan, and run some other errands. While they were gone, Adam and I went to two different CVS’s to try to find SoBe lifewaters (which we had gotten a rain check for from the CVS back home when they were on sale buy one, get one – and I had buy one, get one coupons, so they would have been free!). But we had no luck. So we ended up picking some up at Target with my bogo coupons, but I had forgotten that in California you have to pay a five cent deposit on any cans and bottles you purchase. Kind of made me miss home and the good deals I know how to get there, everything is more expensive out here.
When we got home, Kelly was already over cleaning up a little. And shortly after we got back, Jacque & Corey came home too. We did some more packing, and Corey made tritip steak kabobs on the grill, and Jacque made a vinaigrette salad with blue cheese crumbled on it. (When mom makes salads at home, she always puts the stuff on the sides – kind of a make your own – and I always though blue cheese was gross, but I tried it and liked it! Look at me, expanding my taste pallet!) :)
Later, Kelly left, and Addy was in bed, so Jacque, Corey, Adam, and I all squished on the couch and watched a movie called “The Gamer.” It was about how this one guy created a video game, similar to the Sims, but players were actually controlling real people. These people got paid to “be” the game, and had no control, what-so-ever, over their bodies while they were “at work.” But then he created a new game called “Slayers” same concept as before, but this time like Call of Duty. And people actually died. But the creator said it was all okay, because these people were in jail on death row anyway… of course I won’t spoil the whole movie for you! Decent movie, but not really my type of movie.
Later Jacque, Corey, and Addy ran to Verizon to add Jacque to Corey’s plan, and run some other errands. While they were gone, Adam and I went to two different CVS’s to try to find SoBe lifewaters (which we had gotten a rain check for from the CVS back home when they were on sale buy one, get one – and I had buy one, get one coupons, so they would have been free!). But we had no luck. So we ended up picking some up at Target with my bogo coupons, but I had forgotten that in California you have to pay a five cent deposit on any cans and bottles you purchase. Kind of made me miss home and the good deals I know how to get there, everything is more expensive out here.
When we got home, Kelly was already over cleaning up a little. And shortly after we got back, Jacque & Corey came home too. We did some more packing, and Corey made tritip steak kabobs on the grill, and Jacque made a vinaigrette salad with blue cheese crumbled on it. (When mom makes salads at home, she always puts the stuff on the sides – kind of a make your own – and I always though blue cheese was gross, but I tried it and liked it! Look at me, expanding my taste pallet!) :)
Later, Kelly left, and Addy was in bed, so Jacque, Corey, Adam, and I all squished on the couch and watched a movie called “The Gamer.” It was about how this one guy created a video game, similar to the Sims, but players were actually controlling real people. These people got paid to “be” the game, and had no control, what-so-ever, over their bodies while they were “at work.” But then he created a new game called “Slayers” same concept as before, but this time like Call of Duty. And people actually died. But the creator said it was all okay, because these people were in jail on death row anyway… of course I won’t spoil the whole movie for you! Decent movie, but not really my type of movie.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Day 11: Los Angles, CA
Today we had a lot of errands to run. Jacque had to go to Verizon to get a cell phone (she had to turn in her work cell on her last day of work). So while Adam and Jacque were in the store, I walked up and down the strip mall with Addy trying to keep her entertained. She loved the carts outside one store and the plants outside the Verizon store. (She is much easier to keep up with than my nephew, Miles).
Then we went to an indoor mall that had a play area for Addy, but first we stopped at Old Navy. They were having a sale where you got 25% off if you showed your student or teacher ID. So Adam used his ID to get Jacque a discount, then Addy took the card from him before he could use it for his discount (the cashier still gave it to him). :) After we had done our shopping, Jacque let Addy play at the little play yard.
On our way home, even though it wasn’t dinner time, we stopped at Five Guys and picked up some burgers. Of course we weren’t hungry come dinner time, but when it got close to bed time, we started to get hungry. But, nobody wanted to eat right before bed, so we all went to bed hungry.
I thought we would stay up until Corey (Jacque’s fiancé) got home from a bachelor party in Ohio. But I think we were all (except Addy, of course) still awake. Adam and I could hear him come in the front door, as the Addy’s room (where we were staying) had a window looking out to the front door. And we heard Jacque get up to help him.
Then we went to an indoor mall that had a play area for Addy, but first we stopped at Old Navy. They were having a sale where you got 25% off if you showed your student or teacher ID. So Adam used his ID to get Jacque a discount, then Addy took the card from him before he could use it for his discount (the cashier still gave it to him). :) After we had done our shopping, Jacque let Addy play at the little play yard.
On our way home, even though it wasn’t dinner time, we stopped at Five Guys and picked up some burgers. Of course we weren’t hungry come dinner time, but when it got close to bed time, we started to get hungry. But, nobody wanted to eat right before bed, so we all went to bed hungry.
I thought we would stay up until Corey (Jacque’s fiancé) got home from a bachelor party in Ohio. But I think we were all (except Addy, of course) still awake. Adam and I could hear him come in the front door, as the Addy’s room (where we were staying) had a window looking out to the front door. And we heard Jacque get up to help him.
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