Mylee's Week at Gram & Granddad's

While Blaine and Marissa were on a week long Alaskan cruise with her family, our granddaughter, Mylee, stayed with us. Now you probably think that we spoiled our sweet granddaughter and gave her everything she wanted, but, oh no, we kept her on a pretty tight schedule. It's amazing what an 18 month old can do when she is at her Gram and Granddad's.

First thing in the morning Mylee was up weightlifting.

Then she spent time on the treadmill thinking about her busy day.

After the treadmill, it was time to hit the stairs and work on her calf muscles.

Next thing, Mylee made sure she ate her daily dose of blueberries because she knows how nutritious they are.

After eating her blueberries and getting cleaned up, Mylee and Howard took care of preparing tasty whole wheat pancakes for the family.

After breakfast, it was time to unload the dishwasher and load up the dirty dishes.

Mylee found it challenging to find a place for all of the clean dishes but she was able to put them all away.

After finishing the dishes, it was time for Mylee to check the newspaper ads and see what was on sale at her favorite stores.

When Mylee finished reading the ads, she liked to keep up with the local and national news and would discuss each topic carefully with her Gram and Aunt Aubrey. She would also keep a box of graham crackers close by so she could take time out to keep Benson happy with intermittent doses of them.

After the newspaper was put away, Mylee would take our horse "Broomstick" out for his daily run.

After sweeping up from the horse and putting him up for the day, Mylee would head back inside the house to check her e-mail. She wondered when Royce would get his act together and send her an e-mail.

Then it was time to head into the kitchen and sweep the floor.

After sweeping, it was time to head downstairs to the rocking chair to read and relax and enjoy some quiet time.

After Mylee finished her reading time, she would head outside for some fresh air and to tend the garden. When all the weeds were pulled and the flowers watered, Mylee would head back inside for her daily English language tutoring from her Auntie Aubrey, where she learned important words like "yo" and "sup".

Trip to see Melinda & Washington, D.C.

A view from inside the top of the Washington Monument.

Aubrey's first visit to D.C. and riding the Metro.

A picture of the Washington Monument Aubrey took through the car window while it was raining.

Mom and Aubrey waiting to ride the elevator to the top of the Washington Monument.

Dad holding Mom (he makes it look easy) in front of the White House.

Mom showing Aubrey that her weightlifting has paid off.

High security around the White House.

National Christmas Tree across from the White House.

Melinda, Aubrey, Dad, and Mom enjoying the best pizza at Matchbox Pizza. We would travel back to D.C. just to eat pizza at this restaurant. This is one of Melinda's favorite places to eat.

We took a tour of NPR and saw one of their recording studios. Melinda is a summer intern at NPR. She also got us into a live broadcast of All Things Considered. It was fascinating!

Aubrey directing the many people on top of one of NPR's office buildings. Melinda gets to enjoy her lunch up here.

One of the best Thai restaurants in the U.S. is in Arlington, Virginia, close to where Melinda lives and the hotel we stayed in.

Capitol Building

Melinda and Aubrey standing by the Jefferson Memorial.

Melinda in front of the National Cathedral.

Dad, Melinda, and Aubrey getting to know George and Martha Washington and their grandchildren.

Mom, Melinda, and Aubrey in front of George & Martha Washington's home at Mt. Vernon.

The back of the Washington's home looks out across the Potomac River.

Melinda knocking on the front door of George & Martha's home.

Melinda and Aubrey standing by the arches.

George and Martha's resting place.

Family photo in front of the gorgeous D.C. temple.

The D.C. Temple is actually located in Maryland.

Dad and Mom in front of the temple doors.

We visited The Wall at the Viet Nam Memorial. Mom's relative, Alan R. Guymon, died in the war.

Mom pointing to Alan's name on The Wall at the Viet Nam Memorial.

Another relative's name, Herman L. Gurr.

Our sister-in-law, Catherine Andersen, lost her oldest brother, Charles M. Hardy, in the Viet Nam War.

The Korean War Memorial.

Dad and Aubrey in front of the World War II Memorial.

Dad and Mom in front of the Lincoln Memorial.

Visiting Evan & Driel's Family, June 2009

Sweet Fiona, age 4 months, showing us her strong arm muscles.

Gramadad with Moriah and Ella at the park.

Andersen Brothers River Excursion

The brothers fixing taco salad in the bunkhouse's well-equipped kitchen.

Steve, Roger, Hayden, Mark, Jon, David, Brad, Eric, James, Dave, Cameron, & Steve in front of the bunkhouse.

On the river with their guide.

Cliff dwellers ruins in southeast Utah.