Our Summer

Our first trip of the summer was to Tucson. Sure we saw rattlesnakes and scorpions at the Sonoran Desert Museum, hand-fed giraffes at the Reid Park Zoo, played firefighters at the Children’s Museum, and looked at Saturn in a telescope at the UofA’s Flandrau Science Center. But the highlight, hands down, was having a swimming pool, exclusively, 24/7.

We could roll out of bed and into the pool. It was that easy. It was that hot at 6 o’clock in the morning. And we loved it. We even had pool play dates with old friends (Adam, Alex, Brady, Reagan, Brianna and Logan).

Though we don’t live there anymore, we’ll always be two little desert flowers who appreciate the Tucson desert and mountains as much as our Grammy – pool or no pool.





Mid-way through our Tucson visit we took a side trip over to Mommy’s native state, California.

Seriously, we could write a novel about our week there. The only down time we had was in the car. Like our drive on the 101 to Aunt Tammy’s where we had a pool party and sleepover with Tyler, Jenna and Trevor.

Of course there was the drive on the 405 to San Diego where we went to the Sea Life Aquarium with Kelly, Conner and Logen (and their parents Kim, Koleen and Brian). And then to Legoland, which quite frankly is the coolest place EVER.



Then there was the drive with Aunt Neannie and Uncle Bob on the 134 to Griffith Park where we explored old steam engine trains at Travel Town. Oh, and the brief detour to another section of the park where we went on a half dozen or so pony rides (Lucy’s absolute favorite).

This clip is a bit long and clearly unedited, but I love the excitement on Lucy’s face at the very beginning. Poor Liam was not feeling well that day.



We can’t forget the drive on PCH to Malibu with Opa where we tried to play in the freezing Pacific Ocean on a very overcast day. It was fun just trying to outrun the waves.

Yep, just about every moment of our stay was filled with a new adventure and people we love.

While we had a great time in both AZ and CA, we were looking forward to getting home and sleeping in our own beds. We were also looking forward to seeing Grandad, who came to visit shortly after our return.

Hopefully we’ll inherit Grandad’s stamina because he never stopped. Always game for shoulder rides around the house, trips to our favorite park, reading stories and of course, going to the pool. We clocked in some serious pool time together. And he went down the pool slide with us at least 400 times.



He probably didn’t know what he was getting into when we went to the lake at Callaway Gardens. They have a floating inflatable obstacle course with a 20-foot platform you can jump off – which he did, after Liam. Lucy took one fall into the water and was done. Not her cup of tea. So it was just the boys. Funny, Liam was probably the youngest out there, and Grandad was definitely the, well, let’s say most mature.

It was hard saying goodbye, but we know he’ll be back for more.

We had a great Fourth of July up at Aunt Sherrie’s. Boy does she know how to throw a party. We didn’t get to see fireworks (too late), but who needs them when you have a pool.



Then of course we had a birthday. Yep, we turned 4 if you can believe it. Mommy planned a party which she says aged her at least 4 years. We won’t bore you with details but all the blood, sweat and tears (literally) that went into the preparation was worth it. We should also mention that Grammy is a saint – she kept Mommy relatively sane.

We had 16 of our friends over for a backyard sprinkler party. You wouldn’t believe how entertaining a few kiddie pools, a slide and sprinklers can be for 3, 4 and 5-year olds. Oh, and let’s not forget about the piñata. And the pizza. And the cake. And the presents! Lucy loved the party but secretly couldn’t wait to tear into the gifts. It took half the day to open them all. We are very fortunate children and Mommy likes to think we’re grateful too.



Anticlimactic? Heck no. Why? Because the day after our party (on our actual birthday) we were Canada-bound to see Papa. The flight attendent even wished us a happy birthday over the intercom and every one on the plane clapped for us.

Our first tour was of Papa’s office at the salt mine. Well, his office isn’t really in the mine. The mine is 1600 ft (480 meters) under Lake Huron. Mommy got to see it, but we’re too young. Maybe when we’re 100. Anyway, we got to see where Papa goes to get money.

We spent many days at the beach at Lake Huron. It didn’t have waves, and the water was a bit on the chilly side, but that didn’t stop us from having fun.

Aunt Hedy, Minke and their friend Rosemary dropped in for a couple of days from Toronto. One evening we got to stay up late and listen to bagpipers playing down the sunset at the beach. It was fantastic.

One Sunday afternoon we took a drive through the farmlands to a place called Tobermory http://www.tobermory.org/page/ where we took a boat out to see sunken ships and beautiful scenery (Flower Pot Island). The water was so clear and blue and the weather was absolutely perfect. We ended the day with some ice cream cones and a broken pigs’ tail (don’t ask).

London is only an hour away from Bayfield (where Papa and Grammy live) so we made a few trips to the city. Checked out a children’s museum where we made ice cream and built an igloo. Another day we went to a cute little amusement park called, Storybook Gardens. Unfortunately it was the hottest day in London’s history (that’s what they told us anyway) so it wasn’t the best weather to be out in. In fact, it was so hot a news crew showed up and interviewed Mommy. Wanted to know why she decided to be outside on the city’s hottest recorded day. We were all on the 6 o’clock news looking a bit hot and sweaty.



Of course on the two Monday’s we were there we had to stay home for the garbage truck. Those of you who don’t know, Lucy has a bit of an obsession with the garbage truck (we’ll tell you more later). So, we waited around – ALL DAY – for the garbage truck. But seeing Lucy’s smile as it turned the corner made the wait worth it.

Bayfield, and the surrounding areas, is pretty and peaceful. They tell us the scenery is completely transformed in the winter. Hopefully we’ll get to go back and see it white and frozen over.

Now we’re back in Atlanta, spending our last weeks of summer out by the pool. Soon we’ll be heading back to school, and sharing stories about our wonderful summer with all our friends. It’s been fun.



The song in the slideshow is called, He Mele No Lilo, from our favorite movie, Lilo & Stitch. Every time we hear it we have to get up and dance. It always brings big smiles to our faces.