Visiting Grandma Doris and my Great Grandparents (Vacation Part IV)

Without fail, if Daddy goes to Georgia, he goes to visit his mother and Grandparents. They are of course in Heaven, but he goes to visit their graves. They are no longer with us, but they are not forgotten. That and Daddy thinks that his mother had something to do with me. I came along not long after Grandma Doris passed away and Daddy thinks she might have sent me to keep him in line.

Me and Daddy.

Grandma Doris' grave marker.

Grandma Doris is in a nice shady spot, which in Georgia is a plus.

Here is my Great Grandfather, Arnold Collins Jr. Daddy took a picture of me and Mommy.

Here is Grandma Kathleen, she is buried with Grandpa Collins. That is how the military interns families.

Here I am cleaning around Grandpa Collins' marker. I have seen Daddy do this a bunch of times at various cemeteries, so I am getting the hang of it.

It was a very nice day for a visit. It was sunny and bright with a nice breeze. If we get stationed in Florida one of these days, we will be able to get back more often. I know we are coming back next time we are in town, Daddy has to bring the paper work to get Grandpa Collins' name fixed. He got the marker replaced last year, to add Grandpa's medals and Grandma inscription, but seems they got Grandpa's name wrong on the new one. He has no middle initial and he is a Jr. Now we get to do it again!

Trains, tracks, trains and more tracks! (Vacation Part III)

It might be hard to believe, but I learned something on my vacation. I love playing with trains, but not as much as Mommy and Daddy dooooo!

Aunt Coleen's house was like a train store, but I did not have to buy them. It was really cool as you will see in the pictures that follow! It got crazy and the crazier it got, the funnier it was!!!!

Here is my first train. Did not seem to go anywhere, but it will!

Daddy got involved! Still not really going anywhere!

Now this is what I am talking about!

OMG another change. Someone give Daddy a time out!

This engine is not working like the other and is causing pile ups.

Now Mommy is in the act.... and she is the smart one.

The dream team coming up with new ideas.

How is this for a good idea?

Here I am trying to determine the stability of a bridge.

The final product. I must say me and Mommy make a great team. And of course, we will keep Daddy, someone has to clean up after we are done playing.

I learned we all like trains and putting the tracks together even more. We spent hours playing and it was fun seeing what we could make work and not make work. Everyone was impressed. Aunt Coleen said, that she has never seen such a cool set up. So we must be good to get a good grade from her. She is a teacher in case you did not know.

Our first day with family (Vacation Part II)

On Father's Day, we drove from Buford to where Daddy grew up. I can't remember the name of the place, but it is in Georgia. It was a really quick drive, I slept most of it!  Glad Daddy and Mommy stayed awake!

Since it was Father's Day we all gathered at the gathering place, no not Oahu, at Aunt Coleen's house. We played, swam and ate. It was a nice family Bar-B-Q and a relaxing day.

I found a bike so Papa, aka Ed pushed me around.

I had a lot of fun on the bike, but I think Papa got tired!

Well after the bike, I took Daddy swimming. He is my boat in the pool.

He swims and I ride....

It is like a rodeo.

Look one hand.... keep swimming!

Daddy got tired of being my boat, so he found one for us to share.

Mommy even came in for awhile. I think it was to dunk me.

After that they passed me of to Drake and Jacob.

It got crowded in there, so I put on my water wings.

I can totally float and do my own thing.

Uncle Bill brought a mister! It is really cool.

Here is me with some other cousins. Got to eat watermelon, it was fresh!

Here is me with Van and Sandy. Van and I share a lot in common.

Here is Mommy enjoying Father's Day! It was a relaxing day for all.

That was just the first day. Stay tuned.... more to follow!

Out on the lake, Buford, Georgia! (Vacation Part I)

If you have been wondering why we have not blogged about the garden or anything else for a while, it is because, we were on vacation. Mommy and Daddy took a vacation from work, Utah and blogging. Now it is time to play catch up with all three!

Daddy went to school in Atlanta, GA for 5 days and when he was done, me and Mommy joined him there. The first leg of our trip was to Buford, Georgia. We visited Chris and his family.

The high light of our visit to Buford, besides visiting with everyone, was a boating trip on Lake Lanier. Chris got a boat, since I was visiting, he wanted to impress me. So we all went for a three hour cruise. Well actually, it was an all day thing, but a three hour cruise sticks with me for some reason.

Here is me and Mommy waiting for Captain Chris to arrive.

Here I am telling Mommy I am going to take over the ship. I think they call it a mutiny, but only if you're not successful.

Here I am strong arming the Captain.

Yes, I am in charge!

I had to retain the old Captain as my first mate, I could not reach the controls without him.

See I am in charge, I made him take a picture and smile.

I got bored being in charge. Tubing looks so much more fun!

Here is me and Daddy!

Here I am in the galley. Good food!

Yep, I even got to tube!

It was a lot of fun and perfectly safe!

Here I am being treated like a Captain.

Mommy and Daddy stayed out! It was a lot of fun watching them try to stay on!

Here we are in a heavy traffic area. I am making sure the route is clear. I was the only one with good sea legs, so I had to do it.

What do you expect, I am only 22 months old!  Being in charge is very hard work. So I took a nap and left the first mate in charge.

Needless to say we have a very good time visiting with Chris and his family. Even his Mommy was there. That is why I think he behaved and did not make a fuss when I took over the ship.

We all look forward to our next visit!

Running and hosing around in the yard!

When you're in the big house, you get time in the yard. I don't live in the big house, just an average one, but I get yard time. And just like the big house, someone is always watching me. As you know, I am always being watched, hence all the pictures. And I need to remember, Daddy always has a camera. Always seems to catch me doing something.

What rock? O that one, no I was not going to throw it.

This is a magic hose. When Daddy touches it, water comes out. When I touch it, nothing.

Imagination is important at my age. I am a fireman.

Here I am fighting a wild fire! Good hose control is important.

It is alive, "Daddy the hose has got me!!"

Come on, tell me the secret, I promise not to make a mess.

My morning jog in the yard.

What leaf? O that one. I found it on the ground.

Hmmmm. Another magic hose.

Hose drills, got to be able to deploy it quickly.

Aim is really important.

Hope this thing is really off.

Is it me or the sand, one of us is wet?!

Tough guy look! I think it was the sand that was wet.

Yard time is fun, but I have to remember, I am being watched. I know Daddy is taking all these pictures for something. I heard it was so they can show them to girlfriends when you get older. Especially if they don't like them.

Anyway, back to being a kid.