Memorial Day Weekend with Rob's Family

For several years, Rob and his family have chosen to visit us at the lake over Memorial Day weekend. I look forward to this every year. The very slow arrival of spring/summer this year is keeping things quite cool, but we had some nice sunny days for outings nevertheless. One of our favorite places to visit is a nearby nursery. Kathie and I wanted to buy flowers for our flower gardens anyway, so this fit in perfectly with our plans. Eleanor has taken to doing model-style poses for pictures lately.

She and Penny both liked looking at all the different plants, flowers, goldfish ponds, and gardening accessories. Of course, Eleanor is very into miniature fairy gardens, so our visits to the nursery always include a stop at this display.

Winter, a small Wisconsin community near the nursery, had its annual spring fling event on main street, so we stopped there too. There were lots of crafts and food items for sale. I bought some tasty barbecue sauces, local honey, and maple syrup. Caught Rob's family as they rested on a curb. I do think the girls were having more fun than this picture suggests.

Grandma and Eleanor tried some fishing.

Later, Eleanor helped me plant the flowers I had chosen at the nursery. She decided on the arrangement of colors and helped with the planting of each one.

In the afternoon, she read some books to me while we lounged on the deck.

A local cafe serves an excellent breakfast, so we went there on Sunday morning. I have a computer program that allows me to make crossword puzzles, so I made one for Eleanor, and she really seemed to get into working on them. (She even asked me to make one for her to do on the drive home on Monday.)

Meanwhile, Penny studied the menu, trying to decide what to have for breakfast.

Afterwards, we went to the Wilderness Walk in Hayward, which is a small zoo and set of activities. Just inside, there is opportunity to see all kinds of newborn critters and to pet various animals. Eleanor saw this huge rabbit there.

Carrie struck up a conversation with a llama. I don't know what she was saying, but the llama was very attentive.

Kathie communed with a goat.

I think Rob and Carrie should star in some old western or pioneer movie.

I now have photos of Henry, Eleanor, and Penny in this same Boot Hill setting.

Everyone tried panning for gold.

Penny liked having her Pop give her a swing, and they also tried their hand at operating a backhoe in a sandbox.

Got milk?

Rob helped me set up the electric train modules I had built for myself. (Modules are individual tables with track preinstalled that all interconnect with each other. They also have removable legs and can be assembled in various ways or stored.)

Penny liked watching the two trains travel around past each other.

The cool weather also made the hot tub a major attraction and gave Rob's sore back some relief.

Loved having them all here and will continue to look forward to each subsequent Memorial Day weekend with them.