Grandma & Grandpa's Visit

My Grandpa and Grandma have come to visit nearly every summer I can remember. They live just outside of Washington DC and would come to stay with us during the summer vacation from school all throughout my childhood. My sisters and I always looked forward to these visits because it meant day trips, overnight visits to their hotel, and stories told to us by Grandpa.


Julie with Kitty Boy, Grandpa, Jackie, Grandma,
 Jaisha, Me and Taffy Dog

When we were much younger, they would stay at a hotel in Bellingham, about 30 minutes south of my hometown of Lynden, and take turns bringing two of us girls back to their hotel each night for a sleep over. Jaisha and I always went together and Jackie and Julie always paired up. We would pack up our little over night bags and watch the clock until it was finally time to leave for the hotel. Once we arrived, we would claim our side of the bed, put on our pj's and beg Grandma and Grandpa to play a round or two of 7-Up with us. My family has always been card players, and 7-Up was a game we always played with Grandma and Grandpa. In the mornings we would be treated to breakfast at Denny's and then it was time for swimming in the pool. This was our favorite part. We could spend hours diving under the surface, jumping into Grandpa arms or playing make-believe mermaid games. Grandma would sit in the shade, read a book, and never failed to watch when we were about to make the perfect jump into the pool. After a bit we would dry off and head home to spend the day with the rest of family, where the other two girls were eagerly awaiting their hotel sleepover.  


Mom, Grandma, Dad, Julie, Jaisha, Jackie,
Me and Grandpa on a day trip to Victoria, BC

This year, Grandpa and Grandma got to meet Kaleb, their first great-grandchild. Kaleb is now 18 months old and so fun! He loves to get his hands dirty, explore the yard, and play with you. He loved Grandma's cane and would walk around with it tapping the end on the floor, like it was his. Grandma and Grandpa went with Kaleb and Jaisha to see the Bellingham Railway Museum where Kaleb was fascinated by all the model trains.

Jackie, Me and Julie having fun in the pool back in the day.

Joel and I headed up to Lynden over the weekend of their visit to spend some time together and see them before they headed back home. The Birch Bay crabbing season recently opened, so on Sunday the boys (Dad, Chris, and Joel) woke up early to take the boat out and check the pots. It was the first time Joel had been crabbing with my dad (a shock to me! How could we have been together this long and Joel has not been crabbing?!). They were successful and brought back plenty of crab for dinner! The girls (Jackie, Julie, Mom, Grandma and Me) went into Fairhaven to the Abby Garden Tea Room, where we were joined by my Aunt Karen for afternoon tea. We started this tradition several years ago with my grandma and she always asks to go again when they visit.

Grandma, Me, Joel, and Grandpa

I am so lucky to have been able to spend so much time with my grandparents considering they live on the other side of the country. Growing up, my mom's parents lived just down the road, and would visit frequently. But when my dad's parents would visit, we knew it was a special time!