Author: Dad

This morning we woke up to a message from Eric V -he was heading our way, specifically Gerlach and the IBA memorial.  Hmmm, Eric often tells us when he’s making this trip, but most often it’s too late of notice for us to join him.   But this time Grace and dad grabbed a few diapers, some snacks and headed for a very special spot on planet earth.

Grace has been to Gerlach quite a few times, Bruno’s is familiar territory.   But Grace has never spent fun time on the playa, she’s never seen some of the funky artwork on the fringe of the playa, and she’s never been to the IBA memorial.   Today all those things would change.

Per plan, we beat Eric to Gerlach by a strong hour ..and we used that (and a bit more) to explore the playa (it was in surprisingly good shape).   GRACE ABSOLUTELY LOVES THE PLAYA, she’s really tugging on dad’s heartstrings as dad does too.  And, considering only 26months old and her first time –she really went at it hard!  She led us off so far that we couldn’t even see the truck, it has disappeared over the horizon!!

After the playa we checked out some of the funky art  …and then we went to see Eric.  Eric has always been good to Grace and they’re like old pals whenever they see each other.   The IBA memorial is special beyond words and we spent quite a bit of time there.  Eric maintains the site and comes great distance to do so.  Today he drove that silly smart mobile from southern Utah.  Aprox 1200miles round trip.

Then to Bruno’s for the obligatory meal …..and eventually home.  It was a great day -And a fantastic way to spend Memorial Day.

………the pictures say it all.

EDIT: Since posting I discovered there is some interesting history to the weinermobile, where they get the drivers is also interesting and holds consistent with the two that Grace met today.  GO HERE(clicky)

We all headed up to Virginia City for the Memorial Day Parade.   Typical crazy Nevada weather -chilly with some snow flurries -very strong at times.   And of course some sun too.  It was a nice time and we had the pleasure of remembering the brave Americans who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.

Some fun pictures -be sure to check them out:

Friday night -and with our crazy schedules the last night we’d be together for a while.  So we figured a good night to go out to dinner.  Especially as Grace has had a ferocious appetite all day -The girl won’t stop eating.

…..and no better place to eat big than Hash House A Go Go.    Mom had a chicken pasta and dad had the meatloaf.   Good as always and of course plenty to go around -even enough to keep Grace happy.

BTW:  The pictures truly do no do justice to the size of the servings 🙂

Well, it has been a crazy week -as now everyone in the household has been sick …but we’re all on the mend’s it seems.   Weather is nearly as bizarre:  -As we get warm days, then snow in the hills then chilly air and then it starts all over.   This cycle seems to happen about every 45minutes.   Very odd -as we’re close approaching June.

So tonight we all took a trip to the park to blow the germs off of everyone ……and it was a nice little outing:

Grace is still not feeling 100%, but she’s feeling too good to just sit around the house -especially when mom is trying to sleep 🙂

So Dad and Grace headed out with the primary goal to do some kite flying.   But first a late-morning stop at In-N-Out Burger.  But, even here, where Grace typically eats a bunch …she was rather shy toward food -as she has been all week.  We need to get this girl power-eating again!

We then went to San Rafael Park where others were there to fly kites …..Uhhh, but there wasn’t much of a breeze, so instead of getting frustrated with a kite, we decided to go to the Wilbur D. May Center and look around.   It is a very cool place and a temporary dinosaur exhibit was there.

But more fun was the actual Wilbur D. May stuff.   If you’re not familiar with Wilbur D. May, he was quite an amazing guy and did some nice stuff for northern Nevada and the USA.

Grace has had a very blessed life these first 26months. Constant 1-1 attention between mom and dad working opposite schedules and Alecia coming to the house a few days a week. And it shows, she’s a great little girl.

But the time has come for Grace to get out into the real world and hone her people skills, -so we enrolled her in a daycare.

We researched and interviewed a few different ones. This is one that is owned/run by mom’s employer and it seems pretty good, and gets good reviews from other parents.

So, we all went this morning to see Grace take on her new surroundings. Mom and Dad had tears in their eyes, but Grace just waved and said “BYE!”

She only stayed a few hours today ….to get her feet wet so-to-speak. But tomorrow will be a real day -out of the house early with Dad -Then daycare for the majority of the day! She’ll be doing this two days a week.

Mom and dad know she’s ready …and maybe that’s what makes it so sad. But it is exciting for Grace and it’ll be good for her development.

Later in the evening ….Grace and Dad made casual-warm-night run to Jamba Juice to celebrate the first day of school.

It may seem that going to the park is an addiction for Grace. Well, perhaps as it is, -as it is her favorite thing and it is good fun. We also see her development grow on a daily basis as she conquers new things. It is really fun to witness. Today Grace showed us that she can sit in the “big people” swing and hold on. Her parents will continue to be nervous when she does this, but just a couple of weeks ago this feat was not possible. It is amazing how fast our little girl is growing up.

This morning Grace & Dad went to 2 different parks and then did a simple lunch ….

Then, after a nap, Grace spent time with Uncle Brian who was visiting from Las Vegas. This was some goood fun!

Busy week and Mom had to work tonight …so Grace and Dad went out to our favorite place: Murrieta’s. It was good fun and Grace showed the other children how a behaved child should conduct themselves when out to dinner. All of the other parents were envious of Grace’s stellar behavior.