Camp Grandma So Far...

The first week of my five weeks away from work is being called "Camp Grandma," in which I'm "Camp Counselor" and David is the "Camp Director". We're having fun! Madeline, Abigail and Sam flew out by themselves, arriving in Orange County Friday morning, and Anders joined us for Saturday through Monday, which was also nice! Here's a photo report...

 We arrived at the gate just as the first people from the kids' flight were getting off the plane! What a beautiful sight they were.

We left John Wayne Airport and headed out, first to Corona del Mar for breakfast, then to Balboa Island to ride the ferry over to the fun zone. We also had fun walking over to the pier and enjoying the sights.

Saturday morning we headed over to Grammy and Poppa's house for breakfast and to pick up Anders, who had spent Friday and Friday night there.

Here's Anders, delighted to be joining us at Camp Grandma! He was looking forward to spending time with Sam!

Mom made delicious waffles for us on her waffle iron that's starting to kind of slow down. Well... it WAS a wedding present, after all! 63 years old, they don't make waffle irons like they used to!

Dad showed the kids all around the backyard... oranges, tangerines, limes, apples, tomatoes, avocados, it was fun to get the guided tour.

Picture time after breakfast! 

While we were out in La Habra we had time to go to Costco for gasoline and samples! Lunch out front was good, pizza, hot dogs and yogurt treats, then the girls and I went to La Habra Farms and got 11 artichokes for 50 cents each while David and the boys headed home in the other car! (We don't have enough seat belts to have all four grands and ourselves in one car.)

The Wii is fun and gives everyone something to do if things lag.

Saturday evening David and the DeHart kids headed to Redondo to see Great Gram. She's doing well and they enjoyed getting to see her. After visiting Grandma they headed to King's Hawaiian and met "Gruncle" Tom and Aunt Mary for dinner!

After dinner they headed over to Tom and Mary's house for some rousing card games. Anders and I stayed home, had dinner at McDonald's and had a quieter evening.

Sunday afternoon, after going to church, we enjoyed going to a bridal shower for Elona Wiens. Here you see me with Anni, the mother of the bride! 

Madeline and Abigail came with me to the shower, which was held at Mina Taylor's house, and David took the boys swimming at "Grand Mary's" house next door.

Abby brought her swim suit with her and slipped out from the shower early to go swimming. Cousin Abby Stevens was there and gave her some great tips on diving!

Cousin Philip played with the boys and everyone had lots of fun in the water.

After the shower Madeline and I came over and enjoyed the perfect weather and all the swimming.

Sunday night dinner... it's all about artichokes.

Watching Sam play on the DS was riveting for Anders.

Again...

Monday morning breakfast, before we head out for the zoo.

Santa Ana Zoo was kind of fun... their 50 monkey were interesting to see.

Here we all are...

Then tonight, Monday, we went to the concert in the park at Central Park, in Uptown Whittier. It's a fun tradition! Gretchen drove out to join us and pick up Anders, and Mom and Dad also came up. It was a nice evening!

It's always fun to run around and play on the grass.

Daddy and David got to chat...

and Sam really had fun watching some boys play soccer. Later they let him do some playing...

Well, we're just getting started! Tomorrow it's the beach, Wednesday Disneyland, Thursday thru Saturday camping... it all sounds like FUN!