Journey; Joy, Fun, Work, and Exhaustion

The assignment: to tell a photographic story.
The next day, I was taking a trip to Tulsa to visit with my children and grandchildren and to take care of those grandchildren for six days while their parents went out of town. What better story to tell than the journey, the joy, the exhaustion that results from a grandmother keeping up with four very active children, four very busy young adults, and one very young weimaraner (in other words, puppy).

Tom, a.k.a. Grandpa Spencer, drove me to the Spokane airport in the pouring rain. It is hard to go and visit without him and Jackson. They provide a few extra pairs of hands, fun, and moral support. Part of the conflicting emotions that accompany this journey.

Reading material is a must. You can buy these books in Spokane, read them on the journey, then turn them in for a refund at your destination airport bookstore. Pretty ingenious! That and RedBox have changed travel.

Southwest has a unique system of boarding the plane. If you are in the A group, it is wonderful, if not, ICK! They also have very energetic and witty employees.

People watching is a favorite past time. It is even more interesting to capture what you see on a camera. I would say "on film" but that is old school.

Tulsa via Denver, here I come!

Legroom, snacks, beverage, and reading material. What more can you ask for?

Killing time in Denver. Pretty good brewery, interesting people watching, and time to walk.

Let the fun, craziness, chaos, and busyness begin! Tent making in the playroom.
Mom and dad are off to Chicago and Meemom is in charge!

Unpacking before the eleven month old can grab everything.

Pick up at school. Very organized and regimented. Regent Preparatory School of Oklahoma, a classical Christian school where my oldest granddaughter attends and my Justin son teaches.

You drive and wait a lot in this city.

Happy to see us and happy to be going home!

Ahh, the joys of Saturday soccer. It has been a few years since that has been a part of the routine. Fun to see your one granddaughter twirl on the field and the other dribble the ball!

All with a PINK ball of course!

Halloween in Tulsa reminds me of when I was a kid. The streets are full of trick-or-treaters, it is warm (65), candy galore, and fun costumes.

The trick-or-treating group. Percy the dog would like to get to the candy.

Justin's first game as coach. They won, he did a great job. He was intense and intent.

Activities: dance class. I didn't get pictures of gymnastics.

Happy Hour at Sonic for a beverage break. I think we went there every day. I love lime-aids.

The Aquarium. I don't think the two-year old had ever been all by himself and gotten to chose where he went and what he saw.

Eleven months, he is happy looking and watching the antics of the older three, as long as he has his bottle and food.

An Oklahoma aquarium tradition, riding the alligator.

More dance.

Waiting in the car. Needed; patience, snacks, and toys.

The group, back together again (minus the puppy).

On the way home, Spokane via Denver.

Unpacking. No eleven month old to be careful of. No tent making in the dining room. A much older and calmer dog. Tom and Jackson to take care of. Hip-hop to listen to instead of young voices and cartoons. Pick up at school still although different, not as regimented. Exhaustion will abate. Funny stories to look back on. Joy. Thanksgiving. I miss them already.