Time with Grammy & Papa

With Matt's and Ian's schools getting off for two weeks for Christmas, we were able to stay in Albuquerque even longer than other family members. As much as we missed having those other family members around, Ian and Ryan did enjoy their one-on-one time with Papa and Grammy!

Grammy and Papa read many books to our boys. Papa took us to the Albuquerque Public Library to let the boys pick some new books!

Ian learned some new board games! He literally played about 12 rounds in a row of "Guess Who." After a few rounds of someone helping him, he was able to ask and answer questions all on his own!

But, hands down, the BEST game was "Mousetrap." Only Grammy was patient enough to set all of the little pieces up hundreds of times. :) (Ian even asked to play one more time before we left for the airport at the crack of dawn to head back to Texas.)

Candyland Bingo was fun, too.

Ian also enjoyed "Crackers in My Bed," an old favorite!

We did some baking together! Grammy taught Kim a new, yummy recipe for pie crust. Ian, helped a little with putting the gooseberry pie together

but he mainly enjoyed making "dough-dees" with Grammy. Kim has great memories of making these as a girl -- leftover pie dough, butter, and cinnamon/sugar, all rolled up!

Of course, no time with Papa and Grammy is complete without fabulous food! They cooked us a yummy crab dinner (with Matt's request of fried rice.) The boys enjoyed hot dogs, roasted over the fire!

After the meal, we roasted marshmallows for s'mores. Yummy!

Grammy took our family to the "River of Lights" at the Albuquerque Botanical Gardens -- a beautiful display of millions of Christmas lights. We all loved the displays. Not surprisingly, both boys most enjoyed watching the trains run along the decorated track. What a fun outing!

looking at the sunflower!

Ian asked if we could PLEASE go back to the Explora Science Center while we were in Albuquerque. (He's talked about the big marble exhibit multiple times since going to the science center in October.) Ryan and Ian both had a fabulous time!

The big marble exhibit was still probably Ian's favorite part!

This time, Ian was excited to show Daddy all of the exhibits he remembered! (Daddy had already gone back home to Texas last time we went to the museum.)

Ian and Daddy spent a lot of time at this water/pipe exhibit!

The train table was one of Ryan's favorite locations this time!

flying a plane

Matt got to ride the balance bike! Ryan started crying when Matt went behind the gate! He wanted to make sure Daddy wasn't doing anything dangerous. :)

feeling the sound vibrations

watching the sound vibrations in the sand

Ryan loved the huge bubbles!

playing in the water with Daddy!

The boys loved when Papa tickled and wrestled with them!

Of course, we had to take another trip or two back to the school playground! Ryan enjoyed crunching through the leaves all the way there!

Ryan enjoyed crunching through the leaves all the way there!

Thanks for making us feel so welcome and at home, Papa and Grammy! You thought of so many activities that were fun for all of us. We loved every moment with you! We love you so much. :)