Desert bloom, plus GRAND Social No. 185 link party for grandparents

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Desert bloom

It's been quite cold in Colorado since I returned from my visit to the desert last week. Perhaps it's the fact I came home from the desert that makes Colorado seem a wee bit chillier than usual. It's been icy and snowy and cold the past few days, which makes it even more incredible to think that just one week ago, I was shooting photos of the sun-loving flowers blooming on the bushes in my grandsons' back yard.

Flowers such as this... of which I have no idea the name (does anyone?):

 

Just looking at that magnificent desert...

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A holiday sight to see: America's tallest Christmas tree

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A holiday trivia question for you: Where is the nation's tallest decorated Christmas tree?

Did you guess Rockefeller Center? Perhaps the White House?

Nope. Believe it or not, the tallest decorated Christmas tree in America stands 115-feet tall in an outlet mall. In Arizona. Yes, it's so! Certified so!

Megan and I set out to see the holiday wonder this week, with Mac and Jak in tow. (Bubby was in school that day, just as he was this day.)

Whoo-eee! What a festive site to see!

nation's tallest christmas tree

The certification and...

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Grand desert hike

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I'm not typically up for going on hikes with my grandsons when I visit their place, though hiking is one of the family's favorite activities. It's usually so stinkin' hot in the desert that heading out for supposed fun in the sun among cactuses is far from my idea of a grand time.

The other day, though, the desert weather was uncharacteristically mild and suited to Gramma's liking, thus perfect for hitting the trails with Mac, Jak, and their mommy.

hiking with grandsons

The hike was rather short due to...

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Pool pals, plus GRAND Social No. 184 link party for grandparents

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Pool pals

I had the good fortune of being at my grandsons' house the day they finally — after months that felt like a bazillion years to three rambunctious boys — got to put on their swimsuits and get into their new swimming pool for the very first time.

The words "wet" and "wild" pretty much sum up our Sunday. The word "happy," too.

grandma and grandsons swimming

Just two days remain in this pre-Christmas...

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Hanging with the monkeys! Plus, GRAND Social No. 166 link party for grandparents

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Hanging with the monkeys

Today is my last day with the monkeys. These monkeys also known as Bubby, Mac, and Jak, who were practicing their moves in the peewee division of American Ninja Warriors at their nearby park:

peewee ninja warriors

This afternoon, PawDad and I leave the jungle and head back home, where the...

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An award for Mac, plus GRAND Social No. 156 link party for grandparents

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An award for Mac

As long-distance grandparents, Jim and I rarely get to see our grandsons' games, school performances, or award ceremonies. Which is why we were especially pleased to be a guest of Mac's at his end-of-season pizza party for his T-ball team on Saturday where Mac (like all the mini players) received an award for his season-long efforts.

t-ball award 

We never had the chance to see Mac play a game, but...

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Last resort for a long-distance grandma

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grandsons

I can usually go about two months without seeing my grandsons before the loneliness takes hold.

I didn't make it two months this time.

I last saw my grandsons...

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Mac makes strides, plus GRAND Social No. 142 link party for grandparents

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Mac makes strides

Remember when Mac reviewed the Strider no-pedal bike? Well he's still loving his lean, green, bicycling machine... and making great strides on it. Here he is zooming along and making Gramma chuckle:

 

I must admit that watching my grandson zoom about on the Strider on the back patio was far less nervewracking for me than if he were trying to get the hang of a real bike on the road. Yeah, I am indeed a paranoid grandma like that.

GRAND Social No. 142 link party

Whether an old hand or a newbie, welcome to...

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