If I’d Known Grandkids Were This Much Fun, I’d Have Had Them First

What happens when you mix grandparents with an eleven and thirteen year old, add in the fact that the kids live in Florida, and then pour the mixture into New Mexico and Colorado?  You have two weeks of fun.

We picked them up at the Albuquerque airport – their first time flying by themselves.  Not knowing it is almost illegal to eat hamburgers in New Mexico without green chile, they opted for plain burgers after their long flight, and then we drove into the northern New Mexico mountains to the town of Angel Fire.  Yep – it’s the middle of June, yet there is still snow atop nearby Wheeler Peak.  (In case Mom and Dad are wondering where Boy Child got the knit hat, he found it – somewhere.) 

There was time for some late afternoon soccer practice among the prairie dog holes, as well as a nature jaunt with Grandpa.  (As always, be sure to click on the photos to see the full sized version of them.)

But, we didn’t stay long – it was off to Colorado for a few days with Aunt Patty and Uncle Russell.  The trip took about five hours, and even kids can appreciate great scenery.  Ah, what a great ride for these two bikers. 

Okay – whadya do in Denver that can’t be done in Orlando?  Go to a major league ballgame – in this case, the reigning National League Champion Rockies blew away the Giants 11-5.  Coors Field is a great baseball stadium – a place where you can enjoy a game with 28,000 of your closest personal friends as the sun sets over the nearby mountains.  Nobody commented on my Red Sox hat either.

Ever wonder why grandparents and grandkids get along so well?  It’s because they have a common enemy.  When the kids are away, the can usually do all kinds of things they might not get the chance to do at home.  How about a little pellet gun shooting in the back yard?  (Targets – not birds or squirrels.)  Or, how about playing in a high mountain brook? 

Oh yeah – don’t tell Mom and Dad we let them watch the movie “Strange Brew” last night.

This photo is of just another quaint western town, eh?

Actually, somebody had too much time on their hands, so they built “Tiny Town” in the mountains.  There’s a railroad and lots of buildings – all welcoming little kids (and a few big kids) to clamber around the town and inside some of the buildings.  Our two are joined by Aunt Patty’s niece for a little operatic fun.

Then it was back to Angel Fire.  Of course, this gave us lots of time to teach our grand children the serious aspects of life – to act soberly and correctly.  There is no place for frivolity in this cruel world, and we want to be sure they understand that.

In this case, they were practicing saying “Luke – I am your father.”

We’ll catch you up on the doings in Angel Fire at a later date – provided I live a bit longer.  These kids have more energy in their little finger than I have in my whole body and they’re wearing me out..

And we love it!

Comments

[Tom]

Grandkids are the greatest. You are really enjoying this special time and so are the kids. Great pictures.

[Brian]

The 'happy' in that post is great!