Adventures of Kailie and Kolton Matthews: Summer Fun at Grama & Papa's

Although we had tons of fun adventures out and about - most of our summer days were spent at Grama & Papa's acerage having tons of fun. Grama & Papa went to amazing lengths to make their place a kiddie playground for us this summer. By the looks of things when we arrived there was as much time spent putting stuff away (I'm still not sure where Grama stored all the beautiful fragile things!) as there was spent taking out and setting up all the kids stuff! Ponoka is a bit out of the way, but it's not like we really needed to go far - we had the trampoline (or the 'bounce' as Kolton called it), the kiddie swimming pool (that was used for more of a race track), swings, sandbox, water table, big trucks, and so many other toys - the kids were in heaven!!

Then partway through the summer we got to meet Eeyore! Eeyore is the funniest sweetest donkey you'll ever meet. We all learned A LOT about donkey's this summer and after a visit to a donkey farm where we met the CUTEST 2 month old donkey we thought we had Dad & MA convinced to breed donkeys . . . however I made the big mistake of going away for a week and it was then that Eeyore's 'necessary breeding parts' met a quick end thanks to a visit from the vet :( So no baby donkeys in our future but we loved little Eeyore all the same!! Our daily routine included taking many treats (apples, carrots and the occasional cookie) out to Eeyore - he would always greet us with some awesome loud braying before we could even get close to him! He really is such a character, when Joel & Dad were working on the donkey's shelter someone would have to take Eeyore for a walk or else Eeyore would just spend his time nuzzling whoever he could get closest too!! He really seemed to especially love Kailie - she spent lots of time brushing him and walking him around, we're hoping maybe next year Eeyore will be ready to give the kids a little ride!

Since we left, Eeyores brother Tigger has also made his arrival, we hear he's just as fantastic as Eeyore so we can't wait to meet him too! Oh and we can't forget 'the girls' (2 cows Dad brought home for the summer) - while it was fun for the kids to take them their morning oat snack we never really got too close to them as they were so skittish - probably for the best as their fate may not be as fortunate as the donkeys ;-)

It really was a very special summer that we'll never forget. We can't thank Gramma & Papa enough for letting us come and take over their beautiful place for such an extended stay!

Wiener roast in the backyard!

Kolton playing Hide and Go Seek - it is always his turn to count . . . 'one, one, one, one' . . . . crazy cute!!!

Lots of visits from more family - Asia, Kailie & Lamby enjoying their marshmallow roast ;)

On one of the very first days were got there Dad bought the kids these bubble containers and they were well used all summer. We just bought a couple of big bottles of refills and the kids were always blowing bubbles!

Grama getting in on the bouncing fun - pre-rib-breaking incident!! Everyone did a lot of bouncing this summer, it was so much fun!

Dad had let the chickweed get a little out of control in the garden this summer so we spent lots of time getting the garden all prettied up so we could enjoy some of the yummy veggies - here is my little 'helper'! Notice the lack of pants - this is pretty much how Kolton spent all summer!!! I'm not sure if this will fly when we come to visit in the winter:)

More toys - I think we have Auntie Louene to thank for this one, it was a huge hit!

We also checked out some of the Ponoka playgrounds - our best find was a really great splash park for those really hot days.

My littlest luv:)

We all took turns doing a lot of this too:) Lovin' the cousin visits!

Not a lot of super hot days, but we did take advantage of the kiddie pool when we could :)

Even inside can be super fun - a little Walmart find, this really cool soap provided so much bath time fun!

One of our first meetings with Eeyore - after just a couple days I couldn't keep the kids away from him!

Papa's little helpers filling the bird feeders.

I think Grama just finally gave up from tripping over them while she was working in the kitchen . . . and as they say - if you can't beat them, join them ;-)

Kailie & Daddy headed out to the trailer for their camping night - I think she was there to keep her city-slicker Daddy company ;-) !!

Papa and the kids getting water for 'the girls'!

Kailie wanted to help Papa no matter what he was doing! Here she was staining boards for Eeyore's shelter . . . and yes she is wearing a garbage bag :)

Watching the not-so-wildlife :) Again note the lack of pants on Kolton . . . not even sure undies were on this day!!! Gotta love being out in the country;)

This is what the 'helping' usually looked like!

It wasn't all work - there was a lot of play!

Enjoying the veggies from our garden:) Kailie and Kolton (and Mommy) ate sooooooo many yellow beans, they were soooooo yummy. When it came time to leave we loaded up but it just could never be enough.