Twice Blessed

Ever since Kristin was 5 and Kat was 19 mos. old, I have enjoyed taking my family to Palm Springs to the timeshare condo owned by my parents. It has been a tradition that we carry on -- and hope to enjoy for years to come. One week out of the year we bask in the warm, dry sunshine of this lovely desert town. There are lots of great memories we share of years-gone-by with my folks!

This year it was 80 degrees most of the week, with some rain the day we left. This is the second year to take the twins -- and they talked about it all year long. We enjoyed making more memories for all of us to hold close to our hearts.

All ready with their backpacks on!

Carson is patiently waiting for our flight to board in Portland.

Both kids were near perfect on the flights. Here Ruby is enjoying the IPad.

Even though it was almost 5:00 PM on our first day when we arrived, the kids couldn't wait to get in the pool. I opted to grocery shop while KJ played with them in the pool.

(she said I opted for the easier job!)

In front of the condo -- where lots of pictures have been taken over the last 30 years. Four generations of my family have enjoyed this place. I love that Carson and Ruby enjoy it so much, too!

One of the things my mother LOVED about Palm Springs were the flowers. They are so colorful and plentiful in the spring. I try and teach the children the names of the flowers as we see them. They particularly like the snapdragons, especially when we pick (just one) so they can snap it! Kristin took this photo of the poppies in front of the condo.

Another tradition we have held onto is feeding the ants on our morning walks. Katharine and Kristin did it as little girls, too. The condo is across the street from desert and mountains (you can see in other photos) We found plenty of red and black ant hills to share cheerios with.

I suggested that maybe the ants would think GOD was sending food down from heaven and Ruby replied,
"No, it is PRINCESS Ruby and KNIGHT Carson, not God!"

Just like her mother, Ruby struck this pose for me as I was taking her photo. I didn't even suggest she do this.
I believe Kristin would call this shot "Dreamy".

So many ants, so little time!!!!!

This morning we were only finding black ant hills.

Ruby suggested
"The red ants must be sleeping in today!"

I taught the kids how to spot a SMOKE TREE. Most were small, but this one stood out as one of the biggest. Above you can see the snow on top of the mountains behind us.

"Grandma, if this is a smoke tree, where is the fire?"
asked Carson. Such an inquisitive little man.

Carson's riddle -- WHAT HAS SMOKE BUT NO FIRE? A SMOKE TREE.......

We talked about how all cactus have thorns and we should not touch them or get too close. Below Ruby discovered that the tips of Smoke Trees are pokey too -- OUCH!

Carson asked me all on his own ............

"Grandma, can I hug a palm tree?"

"Sure, buddy, but carefully"

These palm trees seem more huggable.

Every morning and some afternoons we enjoyed the pool. Even though there are 18 units at this condo, most of the time we had the pool all to ourselves. The kids were so good -- we had numerous people compliment us on how well behaved, respectful and quiet they were.

My friend, Laura, whom I have known since I was pregnant with Kat (30+ years), has a home in La Quinta and came over almost daily. She brought water-noodles to the kids, which gave them more freedom in the water. Here Ruby is trying it alone and realizing she can do it.

It was so great having another person to keep an eye on the kids in the pool and to play with them. Laura loves the water, so most of the time she was with us, she was wet!

Laura even pulled double-duty when Kristin or I wanted to sit out.

One day when I was in the water playing with Ruby, she said to me,

"Grandma, let's do a water-hug!"

The golf course near us and the sun peeking up over the mountains. Kristin took these when she went for an early morning run before we got up!.

One morning we took a hike on the trail that leads up Indian Canyon. The trail goes on for about 2 miles, which Kristin hiked alone one afternoon. The four of us went just a short distance up before the kids were too tired, too hot and too too too -- well, they just weren't into it. Maybe one day they will hike to the top with their Mommy.

Buddy was lagging behind.....

Those are houses next to the trail -- not the condo. It's across the street.

I always think the mountains look like they are cut out of cardboard and placed there for us to enjoy! That's the Indian Canyon Golf Course in the background, which we walked by several times. The lush green-ness is such a contrast to the desert sand and mountains.

We spied lots of lizards on this trail walk. Ruby spontaneously gave an I LOVE YOU sign to one lizard as he was scurrying under a rock.
(see her hand, and also her shadow on the rock!)

Grandpa Bill came over one night for dinner and to go out for ice cream. The kids were thrilled to spend some time with him.

He used to carry little Kristin all over Gordon College on his shoulders like this. Kristin kept saying "Dad, Carson is heavy. You might get a heart attack!" Carson kept holding onto his ears like handles.

For quiet-time, Carson got to play on the IPad on his bed

Yes, his bed is in the giant walk-in closet.
They actually argued over who got to sleep in the closet.

Sweet Laura brought a BIG bag full of library books to the children and spent time reading to them before naps.

When I asked the kids what were some of their favorite things in Palm Springs, Carson said "Having Laura come over every day!" Ahhhhhhhh........ I agree.......

Friends are a gift from God and I treasure this gift.

Carson spied this lizard on our patio wall from inside and ran out to meet him.

The lizard just sat there on the wall for the longest time. The kids said "Let's make a funny face and scare him so he will move!"

Carson was brave and wanted to touch him. I was surprised the lizard stayed still long enough for his tail to be touched by a 4 year old.

Unfortunately, for Ruby, it didn't stay after being touched, and she was in tears because she didn't get to touch a lizard, too.

Kristin discovered that the fire hydrants were made by the JONES family/company.

Look closely and you will see JONES on each one.

Like Mother -- Like Daughter -------- used to be we could easily pick up both at the same time, but that time has gone. Carson wanted into the action too!

We love taking walks around the neighborhood. These benches are where 6-months pregnant Kristin had to rest when she and I came down before the twins were born. She couldn't make it around the entire block -- now she sits on the same benches with her kiddos!

Carson was complaining about being so hot on our walk. He didn't want to wear his hat, so Kristin gave him her shirt (she had a sports bra on!) He thought he looked like some of the gardeners who do the same with their own shirts in the heat of the day!

I love this giant olive tree, with places to climb.

Ruby noticed this door matched the stripes on her dress. It appeared no one was home, so I snapped this photo.

We went to the Living Desert Museum/Zoo, in Palm Desert again this year. I think they could have spent all day looking at all the miniature trains and cars and cities. But we had places to go and giraffe to feed!

The volunteers were handing acacia twigs to the people to feed the hungry giraffes. Did you know giraffes have really really long, black tongues! (my cousin says the giraffes have really long necks to hold their really really long tongues!)

The petting zoo had very friendly, patient goats that allowed the kids to pet and brush them.

Their carousel has the most beautiful, exotic animals to ride. Ruby chose some sort of an antelope and Carson picked out the cheetah.

Carson watching the train in RUBY'S DINER.

I should have taken more pictures in Ruby's Diner, but I think I was tired out from the Living Desert excursion that day. Going to Ruby's Diner has become a tradition for us.

FYI -- Ruby was really grooving on a glass of WATER!

I guess using a straw makes even plain old water, really FUN!!

MARILYN MONROE has been standing over the main street in Palm Springs since last May. She is scheduled to move along in June. She is a 26 foot tall sculpture piece of artwork that is actually quite beautiful. I snapped the first picture with my cell -- and didn't realize a tourist had walked into the picture.

The lower picture was taken at night with Kristin's cell. She and the kids are standing on the platform that holds MM. If you look closely, you can see that Carson is pointing up and saying "I see her underwear!" Oh boy, were there laughs from all the people gathered around, and Kristin wanted to crawl away. I said to the people "underwear is very important to a 4 year old."
One night I was trying to find something on the TV for the kids and there wasn't anything appropriate. I ended up putting on a station that was having an Andre Bocelli concert, because Carson said he liked the pretty music. After watching him sing for a while I told the children that Andre Bocelli is blind and talked about what that meant. Ruby's first question was "grandma, how can he see to put on his underwear?"

Our last morning walk took us along side the Indian Canyon Golf Course.
(Kristin kept saying "maybe we should call it the Native American golf course?" --
but that's not it's name!)

Ruby was singing her Spanish song for all to enjoy with her hand motions.

They call this Indian Canyon because of the outline of the Indian laying down. Can you see him? I could, and so could Carson. Carson demonstrated by laying down and showing me what he looked like, and he also drew a picture of him. Ruby couldn't see it, and Kristin had a hard time finding him.

A few more ants receiving manna from heaven (or cheerios from Ru and Cars) -- just like their Mommy and Auntie Kat used to do as little girls.

I got my suitcase out to pack the night before, and when I turn my head for a moment, look what they did!

Kristin was sleeping in a room with Ruby for two nights -- each having their own bed. But since Ruby not only snores, but talks in her sleep, Kristin drug the mattress out to the living room. Here is one last snuggle before packing up to leave.

Good bye condo, for another year.

Have to say hello to the dinosaurs in Cabazon on our way to the Ontario airport. I have pictures of little Kristin and Katharine standing next to these same creatures. I don't know how long they have been here -- maybe since the beginning of time!

I had the twins over to my house this weekend for a sleep over.

Some fun words I don't want to forget:

1) "Grandma, you forgot to give us vegetables!"

How many 4 year olds remind the adults that there are no vegetables on their dinner plates? I had forgotten to put the Edamame beans on the table, and Ruby knows her parents serve vegetables at almost every dinner, and they were missing!

2) Carson and I were admiring the art work they had done for me for my birthday that I had displayed on my pantry door.

Carson said

"When you die, you can take those with you to heaven."

3) I baked a spinach, ham and mushroom quiche for dinner last night that was excellent. I had told the kids all day about it, and they were excited to try their first quiche. Ruby said

"May I have more quiche please? I love it."

Carson discovered a mushroom in his, and that was all she wrote. Even though the kids are great eaters, Carson (like his Great Aunt Stephanie) has a thing about mushrooms and can spot one a mile away!