Grandma Marty's Visit

Grandma Marty came back from Montana for the past 5 days, and spent some more time with us. It was the only way she'd get to meet Kevin before he's a year old!

Although we had some fun, poor Grandma Marty was thrust into the position of "head nurse and bottle washer," as Mommy, Andrea, and Kevin, all developed a rotten cold this weekend. Of course, Grandma Marty relished her role, and took command of the household with ease. Mommy and Daddy were truly grateful for her loving help, but we did feel kind of bad that she spent most of her visit indoors--cooking, cleaning, and caring for the invalids! Sure enough, today, when Grandma Marty had to leave, we all finally started to feel a bit better. Life's like that.

However, we still captured some special moments, and had a lot of laughs, during our 5 days together. :))

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In honour of Grandma Marty's visit, I put Kevin in his "Mommy's Little Cowboy" outfit Rod's aunt bought for him, since she knew my mom lives in Montana. Grandma Marty loved it!

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Grandma brought Andrea a cute little jean dress outfit. Andrea wanted to try it on right away; she also had to pose with her favourite baby, Dora.

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On Saturday, Aunt Claire had a Hawaiian party for the Market family at her house. Grandma Marty was allowed to "crash" it, because she was staying with us. (I guess it also helps, for those of you who might not know this, that my mom and Aunt Claire are sisters--it's Aunt Claire's family that Rod and I are connected through--which I have no time to explain again right now. )

So, Grandma went all out and brought Hawaiian leis for all of us, and outfits for me and the kids.

Andrea wasn't feeling too well that day--she was the first one to get the cold. Here she is in her Hawaiian outfit, looking none too happy. But at least her whole day wasn't like this!

Here's Mommy enjoying her first real party (with alcohol!) in ages. Great-Grandma is enjoying time with Kevin. (Like my hair? Grandma Marty did it!)

There was no shortage of willing cuddlers for Kevin to snuggle up with.

Grandma Marty and Aunt Claire with their bird-friends.

Now, what is Kevin thinking, as he is sandwiched in between these two ladies, who have battled for years over the title of "WEIRDEST"?

The bib says it all . . .

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As we were feeling under the weather (and the weather was rainy and cold the last 2 days of Grandma's stay), she had lots of quiet bonding time at home, with the babies.

One day, she managed to get Andrea outside for a wagon ride. I guess when she was in the wagon, Andrea told Grandma to stop a few times, and pointed to some "flowers" and said, "Flower--Mama," so my mom picked them and gave them to Andrea, who placed them in the wagon. When they got home, Andrea scooped them all up, and brought me a "bouquet" crying, "Here, Mama--flowers!" It was all her own idea. How sweet!

Grandma Marty also became well acquainted with "Dora"--she knew all the songs by the time she left! However, she did get a kick out of how Andrea always dances to the "We Did It" ending.

Grandma and Kevin had some memorable conversations.

She and the kids had lots of silly time, too.

We can't see her as often as we'd like, and we know she feels the same. Grandma Marty loves her grandbabies!