Jill, Todd, Kayla and Hunter
visit Milwaukee
9/22-9/23 and 9/26-9/28/04

I picked up the gang at the airport and was much too excited to take pictures. Finally I took a few at baggage claim. Kayla was acting silly, and Hunter was hyper after a million hours flying.

These two pictures are Kayla and Hunter outside of my condo building. We decided they needed to be able to run after sitting in an airplane for hours the day before. Hunter wore a Care Bears sticker on his back all day.

We then went to the Milwaukee Children's Museum where all of us had a super time. It was so hard to get good pictures because the kids didn't stay still for long. First is a picture of Jill and Todd watching Hunter drop a ball down a track, then Hunter being an engineer on a train.

Kayla and Hunter had a great time playing with trains and cars.

Lots of things to see and do, but as I said, I didn't get too many good pictures. There are two fake smiles from Kayla as she cuts items to make masks, and a real smile  as she climbs inside a giant Harley motorcycle (this is Milwaukee after all).

The Museum had a puppet show for and with the kids. Kayla wanted to participate but she wanted me to do the work. So she got on my back and I became Little Red Riding Hood. I love being a Grandma. Luckily I'm a ham and love to perform.

We then went to lunch and then to Starbuck's for dessert.

Finally, we went to ComedySportz and I let the kids jump and play on the stage. They loved it because it's made like a gymnastic tumbling area. Afterwards home for a nap before they left to drive up to northern Wisconsin for a few days with Todd's family.

Kayla worked on my computer with diligent attention.

Hunter found that climbing in the dryer was more fun.

An artist friend painted these Italian tiles. I haven't painted any rooms yet, so I am waiting to hang them. But here are pictures of the beautiful tiles held by beautiful models.

Yes, I notice that my Asian tiles are hanging crooked. Little hands had something to do with it.

On their final day, Monday, we spent some definite quality time at the park. At first it was just Kayla and I because Hunter was sleeping in the car. Todd and Jill were with him. Kayla made friends, and had some kids to play with.

Kayla is just like her mother--always wanting to climb. Both are quite the daredevil.

Hunter finally woke up--at least partially--and played for a while. He loved, absolutely loved climbing on the tires because he's crazy about motorcycles.

Then I did get a few pictures of both kids together, but certainly not good ones.

I had someone take a few pictures of Kayla and me. Hunter was still asleep at that point. None of these are good of me, but all are good of Kayla. Of course.

After the park we stopped by Harley Davidson so Hunter could look at the motorcycles. He got to get on a motorcycle ride, and had a blast. Unfortunately, I left my camera in the car. Since it was Jill and Todd's wedding anniversary, they went out to dinner and I was privileged to spend the evening with the kids. I had so much fun that I forgot to take pictures. I did snap two of Jill and Todd before they left. Both are wonderful.

I miss them all already. But I'm going out to LA in early December, so it won't be too long before I see them again.