Celebrating Red, White, & Blue

The 4th of July came while I was in Texas visiting grandkids. We went to the parade in Wimberly. Here are some small-town-parade scenes.

And here is who I was with while I was watching:

The give-aways from parade participants included flags,

beads,

popsicles,

and as much candy as at Halloween.

Visiting Grandkids

I just spent a week in Texas with my daughter's family. The kids are 6 months and almost three. Here are some photos.

Kasen is not crawling yet, but almost. Right now you can put him in one place and he doesn't  get far. I give it about two weeks and he'll be on the move.

Who needs a pool when a bowl will do? Kirby's horses are in that bowl too.

Wearing one of her Princess dresses and reading to her baby who is in the shopping cart.

After we built the tallest tower.

Concentrating on making letters using Mommy's special crayons.

Yummy carrots. Dinner aftermath.

Bath time.

At Jump Wild, an indoor "trampoline park and bounce house". It didn't take Kirby long to warm up to the idea of jumping and then, of course, she didn't want to leave.

The family at the 4th of July parade.

Family Time

My daughter was the surprise for Dan's retirement/Father's Day family get-together. She flew in from Texas with one grandbaby just in time for the Central Valley's big heat wave. We escaped the heat for awhile yesterday by driving  to El Dorado National Forest to hang out with Matt and Kaleena until they got off work at 6 p.m.

Matt and Kaleena both work for the Forest Service and are based at different parts of the same facility. Matt is in charge of the helicopter.

We walked out to the helipad for a tour.

Note the effect of the King Fire from a few years ago.

Kasen seems to be a fan.

Chris was studying the instrument panel to decide if he should move some of the switches around.

I think he restrained himself.

Kasen seemed ready to try.

My three kids and one grandkid. (Kirby stayed home with Dad in Texas.)

Kaleena works on the other side of the compound.

Matt goes to fires in the helicopter and Kaleena drives this truck.

Here is her view from up high.

The official fire danger may have been low but they have been on nearby fires already the day after we were there Kaleena and her crew left for the Angeles National Forest.