Other Random Faves

The pictures seem limitless. Over the last few days I've posted lots from the week, but believe me there are more. Here are a few of my other favorites, in no particular order. And full disclosure, I'm in a lot of them. Because how can my favorite pictures not be of me with Lloyd, Rosie, Freddie, or Owen?

Walking to a park.

After the Ravens beat the Packers, Andy's dad photo-shopped our group Christmas picture and made this zinger.  

The sweetest face.

The girl likes to count.

What a little nut.

This was our vibe.

This was our vibe too.

Decorating cookies with toddlers and mail carriers.

The fearless slider.

Reading to her cousin.

Cameras.

It's always nice to be greeted upon arrival.

Owen's first Christmas did not disappoint.

Nor did his first time eating beets.

Keeping an eye on things.

Cleaning crew.

Playtime.

More of the week's vibe.

Uncle John calling to order the meeting of extraordinary gentlemen.

Heading out to the park.

Those smiles.

Ending with more of our Christmas vibe.

Christmas

We all gathered at Mary and Andy's house in our Christmas pajamas for gift opening.

And for picture taking.

Some kids were more squirmy than others.

It was Owen's first Christmas and he had a lot of fun. 

The cousins sat together to eat the traditional Christmas brunch fare of Mrs. Coin's French Toast.

There was plenty of time for play.

Not only for the small kids.

And of couse I didn't let anyone get away before we took a group photo.
 

Another Elf Is In Town

This latest elf got her last night. She's already learning how to drive on the shopping aisles of Baltimore. We're excited to have Rosie in town!

And she brought parents with her!

The next elves arrive tomorrow. I think I know who's going to lead their sleigh.

Harrison Update

In the past week or so, Peter, Jessa, and Rosie went to Slovenia. 

Rosie celebrated Polish Independence Day at her daycare.

Owen practiced his eating.

Lloyd and Freddie went to Mall of America.

And I ran a 10k.

Flashback Friday

In November of 2017, we visited Peter and Jessa in Morocco. Our visit to the beautiful blue town of Chefchaouen was memorable. 

 

Grandkids on the Move

The Harrison grandkids had quite a weekend. I'll start with Owen, who just turned 7 months. He celebrated with his first-ever airplane ride. He and Mary went to Stanford for Mary's 10th college reunion. Owen had a great trip, he met a lot of new friends, and even he got to try out being the Stanford Tree.

I think he liked being with his mom on campus. Owen looks like a natural in Stanford garb. Maybe in 30 years he'll be at Stanford, taking his own baby to his 10th reunion. 

Halfway across the country in Minneapolis, John and Troy are first-time homeowners after they closed on their house on Friday. Over the weekend the moving van came and went, and they started moving in. We're very excited for them and their new life in Minnesota. 

In Warsaw, Rosie had company last week. Cousin Lauren came for a visit over her fall break, and now Rosie has a new friend. 

When Lauren left to go home it was time for another fall break trip. This crew went to Greece. Their first couple of days in Athens were rainy but they still had fun.

Today they took the ferry to Mykonos for the rest of their trip. If Mykonos is half as fun and beautiful as the ferry ride looks, they're in for a great time.

I know this post is about the grandkids but I'll end it with the grandparents and how we spent our Saturday morning. 

 

First Days of School and Last Days of Summer

First things first! In the past week, all the grandkids have had a first day of school. Last week, after being gone for the summer, she rejoined her friends at her Polish daycare.

Next up was Owen. On Monday he was excited to go to his very first day of daycare ever, on his mom's first day back at work after spending five months at home with him. 

Tummy time is great place to meet new friends. Owen wasted no time in meeting other babies at daycare.

Not to be outdone, Lloyd and Freddie headed back in style to the first day of their new daycare school year. They've both moved up to a new class. But there are changes ahead. By the first of October, these two will be on their way to Minneapolis and a brand new daycare. 

But wait! There's been more happening than just the first day of school. You've heard of plus ones? Well here we have a plus two. Owen took his mom and dad to his very first wedding. He wore a vintage 1989 outfit, compliments of his Uncle Peter.

It's 1989 vs. 2025. Who wore it best? (Answer: it's a tie!)

Owen also got to spend a week at the Maryland shore and experience his first time "in" the Atlantic Ocean. 

Meanwhile, Lloyd and Freddie wound down their summer by catching up on their reading.

Over in Warsaw, Chef Rosie celebrated being back home in her two kitchens. (She has a kitchen in her bedroom and she shares her parents' kitchen with them.) Her dad got her a made-in-Elkader apron.

A few days later, Coach Rosie went to a small town in Poland with her mom and dad and a contingent of their American friends for the Mölkky World Championships. They competed and I'm told had an absolute blast. Sounds like a great finale to the summer.