The makings of a Grand Adventure

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Last week I revealed the signs that 2016 would surely be my year. Already, it's shaping up to be exactly that thanks to an upcoming, all-new experience I recently added to the last week of my January 2016 calendar.

I've known for a couple weeks now, but I've been a little leery of sharing publicly as it seemed a wee bit too good to be true. I'm still a little leery — despite plans officially in place — so I shall present it to you piecemeal in hopes of not jinxing anything.

My big reveal, a little at a time:

What do you get when you take an adorable seven-year-old...

seven year old 

plus a wacky four-year-old...

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Jak jumps in!

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toddler swimming

Megan and Preston bought a new home in July and immediately initiated the installation of a backyard pool, a requisite feature of desert homes.

The process took much longer than expected, and Bubby, Mac, and Jak grew quite tired of being banned from their backyard...

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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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No more babies, plus GRAND Social No. 181 link party for grandparents

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No more babies

At this point in time, I no longer have baby grandchildren. That truth was confirmed (again) last week when Megan texted a few photos of fun at the park.

The most recent baby, Jak, is clearly no longer a baby.

toddler boy 

Nope. Jak's a big boy. Just like his brothers, Mac and Bubby, who...

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Final treat, plus GRAND Social No. 179 link party for grandparents

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Final treat

Yay for November! Before we plunge headlong into the new month, I have a final October treat: My grandsons in their trick-or-treating attire!

Soldier Bubby...

soldier costume 

Hulk Mac...

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On art and brotherly love

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My two youngest grandsons are great buddies. While big brother Bubby is off at school, Mac (4) and Jak (16 months) spend a lot of time together enjoying such things as kicking back on Mommy's bed to watch TV while Mommy gets ready for her day.

brother watching TV 

Their close connection doesn't keep Mac from throwing Jak under the bus now and then, though. Especially when it...

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Fall visits the desert

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My daughter Megan loves living in the desert. The only time she misses the seasons of Colorado is in the fall. Fall simply isn't the same where saguaros grow tall and javelinas roam wild.

four-year-old at park

Earlier this week Megan texted some pictures to Jim and me. The weather was uncharacteristically fall-like in the desert, she said, so she took Mac and Jak—while Bubby was in school—to...

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Serving up silliness

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My youngest grandson seems to be maturing far more quickly than I recall being the case with his two older brothers. At just over 15 months, Jak's been working diligently on mastering basic skills seemingly in hopes he'll be as independent as Bubby and Mac as soon as possible.

Skills like feeding himself.

Megan texts photos now and then of the goofy boy's progress. Most recently these:

toddler eating yogurt

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