Visiting The Fire Station

This photo is out of

order but Bill sent

it to me from his cell

phone and I can't figure

out how to put it down

where it would be

in order. It's so

good of Fireman Jae,

an exceptionally great

firefighter, who was

super with the twins!

It was a perfect day to visit the fire station. We didn't tell Ruby and Carson where we were going just in case we couldn't actually see a firetruck. But they welcomed us with open arms and said "come back any time".

This is the "big garage where the firetrucks live!"

Fireman Jae met us and gave us a wonderful experience

(he is a father of young children and it showed). Fireman Jae gave the kids hats and a bag of fun things to take home. When we were all done and it was time to leave, both children said thank you to fireman Jae and shook his hand (I was proud of their behavior and manners!) Carson was so thrilled to be inside the truck at the wheel! The look in his eyes was wonderful for us to see and capture in our hearts. I love this one of the 4 of us!

Here they are sitting in the back seat of the firetruck. First words out of Ruby's mouth

"I need to put on my seat belt!"

Yes, that was exactly what a fireman wanted to hear from a two year old. Good job Ru!

Even though Fireman Jae was so kind and fun, both kids weren't too sure about this photo op! If you click to enlarge you will see it in their face and Ruby's body language.

Carson was helping Fireman Jae move his big boots.

A little help from sis.....

They discovered that the firetrucks were so clean and shiney, they could see themselves in the doors. A moment to admire the hats they were wearing.

I think Grandpa Bill was more enthralled than the two year olds! I had to remind him we were there for the kids to look.

We were surprised to see a big red fireman bus. They broke into a verse of

"the wheels of the bus go round and round".

The fire captain allowed us to come over to where they were working with community volunteers. They were teaching them how to properly use a fire extinguisher. Carson was fascinated with the real fire.

Grocery Shopping!

Wow, we never had this for our kids! Carson is checking out the cool rims.

Grandpa Time

Carson reminds us a lot of Katharine when it comes to puzzles. She could put together the most difficult of puzzles at such a young age. Carson can too! And as busy of a child as Carson can be most of the time, he has amazing focus when it comes to puzzles.

Ruby loves spending time with her Grandpa Bill and especially if he has downloaded a fun new app on his I-phone! I love how she has her hands on him in such a loving way. At one point, before I grabbed my camera, she had her head laying on his chest! I know he has visions of two-year old Kristin when he is with Ruby.

Auntie Kat's Brio Train Set

Katharine loved playing with her Brio train set. I have saved it all these years, and now I have a grandson who LOVES trains. We brought the set down with us to share with the twins, and it has been a HUGE hit with Carson. "Auntie Kat -- we know it's just a loaner because we understand someday you might want it for your children!"

Portland Children's Museum

Bill and I drove down to Kristin's to take care of the twins while she and Casey flew to Florida to a wedding. (a much needed break and rest for the two of them). Today we went to the most wonderful Children's Museum and had a great time. Bill stayed with Ruby while I followed little man around -- hence most of the photos are Carson since I had the camera. Here Bill and Ru are doing an art project -- Carson was helping the rather large alligator brush his HUGE pearly whites. Carson was very much into this task. Hard-Hat-Pete (or rather Carson). This is the building room. Carson loved the hat, but it was so big on his little head. Note the carpenter's belt around him, with piping in it.

"RED means STOP, grandma! And Green means go!"

Carson was more fascinated with the rocks in the bottom of the tank, then he was the fish. I think he wanted to throw them.

We spent a long time in the grocery store room. He shopped, checked out and even worked in unison with a sweet little girl-checker. By the way -- he had every jar of peanut butter he could find in his cart~

The water-works room. Such fun. He didn't want to leave.

And the train room was the biggest hit -- the one that caused him to really fuss when it was time to leave. He LOVES trains. You can see such concentration on his face. I reminded him we have a train set at home to play with, and he was OK with that.