Bring It On Aubrey...

Friday, August 8th, our middlemost grandmonster, Aubrey Anne, came for a visit. She spent the summer in North Carolina with her dad. He brought her back in the afternoon on Saturday, August 8th. We would get to have her to ourselves until Thursday, August 13th.

Saturday evening we just stayed home and got settled. We introduced Aubrey to our new mattress and it's vibrating feature. The expressions on her face as we lifted and lowered her head and feet and then set them to vibrating was priceless. She pronounced our purchase good.

Sunday Aubrey and I went to Sacrament meeting (worship service).  Then we went to Papa's to spend some time with him. Aubrey took a couple 'selfies' with Papa. This one I loved because he was trying to figure out what to do with the screen. He is so far removed from all that technology and the kids get a kick of showing it to him. He doesn't remember how it worked from when he played with Hayden so it is a grand adventure every time. Aubrey is particularly caring with Papa and it touches my heart to watch them together.

Claude joined us when he finished with his obligations in Lexington. We all changed into play clothes from our Church duds and piled in my car to go to LaGrange. Aubrey's visit was to have been for two weeks and things changed so we tried to squeeze bits of the two week visit into the one week. Sunday afternoon was our time to be with family.

The Mini's were so very happy to have Aubrey back. They love their Michigan cousins. There is a big age difference. Aubrey is 17 and the Mini's are 10 and 8. But they still find lots to enjoy together. Hayden will always be a snuggler. Aubrey was a fresh person to snuggle with and they were in heaven enjoying that time.

Eventually they all settled into playing with tablets while we determined how to best use our brief time together.  Such is the digital ages. We decided to go to Cabela's. I have a really nice skirt from there that I love and wondered if they had any others in a different color.  We loaded in the cars and off we went.

Aubrey had never been to Cabela's. She would have two opportunities and be very knowledgeable about Cabela's by the end of her time with us. The Mini's were off to see the fish tank and the mountain of animals. Claude was on a mission to find golf shirts with a pocket on the front. Aubrey and I went to ladies wear to look for skirts. No skirts. No shirts. Hayden and I roamed for a bit. He found the bow and arrow section and showed me what he used at scout camp. Eventually I had all the kids and we went to the boat section. The Mini's tried out the pontoon boats. There were two and they each climbed into one and I got fun pictures of them waving like they were driving the boat. On our way to the front of the store we walked through the camping section. The Mini's and Aubrey tried out all the tents and beds in the tents. It was like our family's version of 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears' meet Cabela's. Lots of pictures but for this post I'll only put ones of Aubrey since this post is really about her.

We finally all met back at the entry to the store. I don't think anyone bought anything. But we all had a good time. Cabela's is just a fun place to be. Bailey challenged Aubrey to a game of checkers before we left. An 8 year old against a 17 year old is an interesting match. They had fun and that is the most important part.

We dined at Red Robin. Good food. Great company. Lots of chatter. Grandmonsters being sure they sit by someone special for that meal. Then it was time for goodbye hugs.

Monday is my day to buy groceries for Papa and clean in his apartment. Claude had an errand in Georgetown at 1:30. We decided this would be the day to spend the $10 in Kohl's cash I had and a $10 coupon at Kohl's I had and purchase something for Aubrey to wear at school. Aubrey and I spent the morning shopping. Then we met Claude at Culver's for dinner after his meeting. Claude took Aubrey home and I took care of Papa.

Tuesday Aubrey began doing all her laundry. So much easier to do laundry at our home than her dad's. We had dinner at Sargent's Galley. 

Wednesday Claude had meetings in the morning. I had Papa to the nursing home in the afternoon and teaching Institute in the evening. Aubrey has an Aunt and Uncle who live in Sadieville. Trish is Aubrey's dad's sister. They invited Aubrey to have an evening with their family. So Aubrey finished her laundry and got her packing done in the morning. And then watched a video till Maddie came to pick her up. 

Thursday morning we were up and ready to go to Michigan in the morning. 

It was a shorter visit than expected but it was so nice to have good time with Aubrey. I'm happy she got to visit with her Aunt and Uncle and cousins on her dad's side of the family. That doesn't happen very often and it is so important to keep family ties.  Loved watching Harry Potter movies every evening. Just a good visit.

Next post...Michigan Adventures!!