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Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Family Visit & Fun

Supplies & equipment
Our week-long stay in RI was a reunion of family members living in several states. We had not seen some family in almost 2 years 

While this was a reunion, it was a couple of other things too. Grenville and son-in-law spent 4 days rewiring daughter No. 1's home. Their tools and equipment were assembled in the living room and this shows some of the assembled materials. 

Before the electrical work started, daughter and grandson had spent the past several weeks stripping the home's interior down to the lathe work. The goal is to add insulation and new drywall to the 1920s home before colder winter months arrive in New England.
Gutted interior of Shannon's RI home
The above collage shows some of the house interior. Since the house was off limits to children and adults, except for those working there, outside activities and indoor activities elsewhere were necessary to keep youngsters busy.
Family members enjoyed a day outing to Roger William Park Zoo
It was all happening at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, one of Rhode Island’s most popular attractions, where family members spent Sunday afternoon. Founded in 1872, this is the third oldest zoo in the U.S. In 1986, it became the first zoo in New England to earn accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
The 40-acre zoo is home to African elephants, Masai giraffes, zebras, red pandas, snow leopards, moon bears, a Komodo dragon and more in naturalistic settings. As of 2018, it also has a rainforest building, the only building where visitors were required to wear face masks. 
Granddaughters Ellie & Lilliana also went to Our Big Backyard
Located not far from the zoo is Our Big Backyard, an interactive live play space for children and families. This area is funded by toy company Hasbro and pharmaceutical company CVS Health and promotes outdoor, free-ended play. It also an indoor carousal and a train ride.
Grands enjoyed the interactive Providence Children's Museum
Another afternoon was spent at the Providence Children's Museum, a hands-on creative learning environment. This is Rhode Island’s only hands-on museum especially for children and their families and presents interactive exhibits and hands-on programs that explore the arts, culture, history and science. Visits were prescheduled with masks required of all visitors.
At home activities for granddaughters included a variety of outdoor fun while grandson was helping with project cleanup. 
Keeping cool on a hot summer afternoon
All three grands enjoyed a backyard slip 'n slide. The weather was sunny and humid so getting wet was a fun way to cool-off.
Grenville celebrated a mid-July birthday
As did oldest granddaughter
It was also birthday time for two family members: Both grandpa and granddaughter's birthdays were celebrated early.
A CT day trip to visit  and a favorite local beach
Before everyone left to return home, there was a day trip to CT to visit another family member, Uncle Russ. His wife, Anita, the family matriarch, passed away last spring (not COVID related). This overdue visit was a happy occasion for all. It ended with a visit to her favorite beach.
Grandson is a handsome young man
His sister is a young beauty
The youngest granddaughter is another beauty
That John Deere tractor was originally bought as a Christmas gift for grandson and has been ridden by all three youngsters. It's since been passed along to another family member.
The grands and Grandpa
Before final goodbyes were said, Grandpa posed with all three grands. Grandson is not only taller, but his hair is longer now than Grandpa's "summer cut." The next time we hope to see everyone is sometime before the end of this year during holiday season. 

Thanks for your visits and comments to blogger friends, Mildred and Rita, mentioned in a couple of previous posts. Bloggers are the best folks — give yourselves a collective hug ❤️

31 comments:

MadSnapper said...

My first thought was and now that's Entertainment! And then my thoughts went to what fun! I love the pictures of your girls on the beach and the Mickey Mouse matching the dress and everyone looks so happy what an amazing and happy family you have. I would much rather have been with you and all those different places than working in that house but the house looks like something I would love

Bijoux said...

I’m so glad you had such a great trip, spending time with the grands. I’m fortunate that mine only live a half hour away. Beach, birthdays and zoo sound like great summertime fun.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Always great to spend time with family, especially after COVID restrictions have prevented it for so long.

Marcia said...

Someone did a lot of great planning to keep everyone happily amused during your reunion. Looks like everyone had a grand time.

Doris said...

So good to see your beautiful grands! What a fun bunch of activities you all came up with. Surely does not seem like one could be bored =)
Looking forward to when you come to Lancaster....but first, we have a whole lot of months to make the most of! Hope you are having a delightful Tuesday.

Edna B said...

What wonderful photos! You did a great job keeping everyone busy and happy while the house was being wired. It will be so nice to go back in a few months and see everyone again. You have a beautiful family. Hugs, Edna B.

Emma Springfield said...

First of all I'm not going to say how big all the children are (see how clever I was there). I can see you all had a wonderful time. I'm happy you did.

Jeanie said...

This looks absolutely delightful. When you think that last year, you couldn't do this. All those happy faces. And the zoo -- what a wonderful place for kids of all ages and loads of fun!

Jon said...

It's so nice that you were finally able to see family members person-to-person again - instead of "virtual" visits. Everyone looks so sweet and happy. I like all the photos - - - except the one of the snake at the zoo.

DUTA said...

Grenville looks very happy among the grands! You should definitely visit there more often. One never gets bored when surrounded by loving family.

Linda G. said...

You have wonderful memories (and pictures) from your week-long visit. I especially liked the zoo pictures and those on the beach. I liked very much the pictures that you shared of Grandpa with each grandchild.

jp@A Green Ridge said...

So happy that you and Pat enjoyed time (whether having fun or working...time is time!!) with all the grands and family. Ellie is a beautiful girl...I can hardly believe she's 10!! Roger Williams Zoo is a favorite of mine although I haven't been there in a few years...I'll have to add it to my TTD list. A wonderful bagful of memories was made on this visit for sure, Dorothy!...jp

Laurel Wood said...

Delightful photos and amazing how your grands have grown. I note that your grands enjoyed many of the activities that my nieces and nephews did….slip and slide and tie dying. Thank you for sharing with us and I am thankful you had safe travel.

Rita said...

What a wonderful visit and such fun places to do and activites to do. I hope it is not so long now for you all to see each other again. :)

Michelle said...

Wonderful that you had this visit and you have some great pictures! That electrical work is a lot to do.

William Kendall said...

Good to have spent time with all of them.

Veronica Lee said...

So happy that you had such a wonderful family trip.

Love the photos of your gorgeous grands.

Happy Wednesday, Beatrice!

Margaret D said...

How wonderful to see all those smiling faces and everyone having such fun - how great that is after all that time of not being able to see them all.
That's a big job regarding the house but it will be better and warmer when done...
Take care.

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

Never any need to apologise for pictures of children enjoying themselves. That looks quite a zoo that you visited.

Polly said...

What an absolutely lovely post Beatrice, everyone looks so happy. I'm glad you had such a good time, 2 years is a long time not to see family. Never apologise about photos, I love looking at photos.

Vee said...

What great photos of your beautiful family! Hope that the project went very well.

diane b said...

What a great time you had with those beautiful grandchildren. it must have been a nice feeling to see them all again.

baili said...

oh my what a deep sense of joy i receive here specially when you share your family trips and photos :)

seems like i opened up a door of heaven where all faces are looking so happy and full of life !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

may the kind lord keep showering his grace upon all of you each day and each moment my lovely friend amen!

such a pleasure to see that you could visit your family after two years wow this must be a biggg happiness :)))

park and museum sound great ,how nice that park had special space for kids creativity .
Oh these images are soul refreshing !
i am amazed to see Lilliana how fast she has grown into an adorable little lady:)
Happy birthday to Patrick ,may you both see many many years together filled with health ,peace and happiness amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joyce F said...

Looks like a fun time was had by all. The workers probably enjoyed visiting with each other too.

Rob K said...

What a beautiful family!

Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

I feel like I was part of the festivities. You don't want me near the electrical work!

Carola Bartz said...

It must have been so lovely to see family again, especially after such a long time. You sure enjoyed it and rightfully so. These pictures tell what a good time you all had. I hope that you can have another family reunion later this year.

My name is Erika. said...

You look like you had a wonderful trip to RI.It is fun to see all the photos at the zoo and elsewhere. You must have been thrilled to see everyone. And Pat's daughter and son-in-law sure have done a lot of work, with more to go for sure. But I don't blame them for wanting to tighten up their old home. Happy end of July. Hugs-Erika

CrystalChick said...

Oh my... I tabbed your page when wandering off to take care of something... and then forgot to come back and comment on all this goodness! LOL
RWPZoo, OBB, the children's museum, beach and everything else you all did looks like a whole lot of fun for your family. Making memories, how wonderful.
Even the work at the house was good too, and so necessary.
Thank you for sharing all these interesting and cool photos from your stay in RI. Happy you got to go and enjoy all that.
~Mary

Eggs In My Pocket said...

Oh how wonderful your photos of family, fun, and memories shared are! It looks like everyone had such a great time!

Buttercup said...

Loved seeing your pictures.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

That was really a great reunion -- especially after such a long time. A great family project accomplished as well as lots of fun times with all generations -- just perfect.