Blissful E » family

Posts Tagged ‘family’

25 Aug, 2010

we’ll miss you, Grandpa

Posted by: blissfule In: Perth

Grandpa and Nikki, with Grandma in the background - January 2007

I remember the first time I, as an adult, saw my dad and his dad together. It was amazing - they were so like each other. The same ears and eyes. The pens in their shirt pockets. The laugh! Especially the laugh.

And Grandpa had plenty of opportunity to laugh, because his hometown was full of "characters," as he referred to some of the more memorable people among whom he grew up and later served during 16 years as mayor. These "characters" were always up to something, even when they probably shouldn't have been. Grandpa had an amazing gift for humorously telling their stories.

Now Grandpa is up in Heaven with a birds-eye view of us all - one of the "great cloud of witnesses" as he cheers the rest of us on in our race here on earth. He certainly ran his own 90-year race well.

We'll miss you, Grandpa. Say "hi" to Grandma for us.

7 Comments

Tags: family

27 Oct, 2009

until next time

Posted by: blissfule In: Perth

Time flies when you're having fun...

My parents' visit flew by in the blink of an eye.

See also:

grandmother, granddaughter - 12 Oct 2009
Apple FunPark through Michael's eyes - 15 Oct 2009
traipsing through the treetops - 16 Oct 2009
Pemberton Tram - 17 Oct 2009
Grandma talks to her hat - 17 Oct 2009
Beedelup Falls - 17 Oct 2009
at a farmhouse in Pemberton - 18 Oct 2009
grandfather, granddaughter - 24 Oct 2009
climbing fun in Freo - 24 Oct 2009
shocking events at the Perth Mint - 25 Oct 2009
first trip to the dentist - 26 Oct 2009
UNO® strategy with Grandpa - 26 Oct 2009
the 3:10 to Grandma - 26 Oct 2009
Grandma's lap, Grandpa's lap - 26 Oct 2009

2 Comments

Tags: family, months 1-3, preschooler, toddler

26 Oct, 2009

Grandma’s lap, Grandpa’s lap

Posted by: blissfule In: Perth

Nikki and Vi agree...

Grandparent laps are great places to be!

2 Comments

Tags: family, months 1-3, preschooler

26 Oct, 2009

the 3:10 to Grandma

Posted by: blissfule In: Perth

While Nikki thrashed Grandpa at UNO®, Grandma and Michael pushed trains around and around the track.

2 Comments

Tags: family, toddler

26 Oct, 2009

UNO® strategy with Grandpa

Posted by: blissfule In: Perth

Grandpa taught Nikki some UNO® strategy this week:

including how to Skip Grandpa,

and make him Draw Two.

She learned quickly, and won two of the three games!

See also:

UNO® with Nikki house rules - 30 Aug 2008

2 Comments

Tags: family, preschooler

26 Oct, 2009

first trip to the dentist

Posted by: blissfule In: Perth

Nikki and Michael had their first dental exams today. We batch processed the whole experience, taking turns: first Nikki, then Michael. Medical histories, hygienist's exam, rides in the big chair (up, down, and leaning back), and then the dentist's exam.

Both the hygenist's and dentist's exams took place with a kiddo on Baba's lap, facing him, and leaning back onto the examiner's lap. Nikki and Michael were patient and still throughout the exams, which I felt were as gentle and non-threatening as possible.

Due to exclusive breastfeeding, no bottles, no dummies, and no medical issues, our children are low risk for caries, so the dentist only needs to see them once a year. Dr Peter Gregory said it was too early to tell for sure with Michael, but he told us to start saving now for Nikki's orthodontics.

When we got home with new toothbrushes, dental floss, Flossmate handles, and helium balloons, Nikki and Michael asked Grandma and Grandpa for help holding their balloons so they wouldn't get lost on our high ceilings.

2 Comments

Tags: dentist, family, preschooler, toddler

25 Oct, 2009

shocking events at the Perth Mint

Posted by: blissfule In: Perth

Look what Vi and I found at the Perth Mint!

My parents noticed my good fortune, and each fought to claim the gold for themselves.

Then we saw molten gold poured into a brick and hefted a real gold brick for ourselves. We decided that the replica nugget wasn't worth all that fussin' and feudin'.

Our visit ended in the gift shop - home to the most expensive souvenirs in Western Australia.

5 Comments

Tags: family, months 1-3

24 Oct, 2009

grandfather, granddaughter

Posted by: blissfule In: Perth

Grandpa and Vi discuss various approaches to world domination.

See also:

grandmother, granddaughter - 12 Oct 2009

1 Comment

Tags: family, months 1-3

18 Oct, 2009

at a farmhouse in Pemberton

Posted by: blissfule In: Western Australia

Farmhouses are popular family holiday destinations here in Western Australia. With my parents visiting, we enjoyed a long weekend at a recreational farm several hours south of Perth in Pemberton. Our location was a perfect base for exploring the area, including the Valley of the Giants treetop walk, the Pemberton Tram, and Beedelup Falls.

Thanks to Dad for taking this photo in front of our cabin on the last day of our weekend away.

Our three-bedroom cabin featured a large backyard.

Free range chickens wandered all around.

Nikki and Michael hand-fed greens to a happy caged bunny in front of our cabin.

We can see why farmhouse breaks are so popular. The kids loved the animals and wide open spaces, and our location was peaceful and relaxing for the adults as well.

4 Comments

Tags: family, months 1-3, preschooler, toddler, travel with kids

17 Oct, 2009