Playing Grandparents to our Grand Nephew and Niece

We took my niece and nephew's two older children, Eric and Olivia, to Doran Beach State Park for the weekend.  We had such fun playing grandparents:  card games, dominoes, sand castles, biking, walking and just enjoying each other's company.  I have to give my brother full credit for their ultra-competitive spirit-they nailed us on most every game we played!

Eric and Olivia's favorite spot was on top of Maxine where they could keep their eye on each other and everyone else, including us!

Liv loved the fact that her hips fit perfectly
in the ladder.  Oh, for those days!

This is the view out our bedroom window.
This section of Bodega Bay is protected
from the ocean waves so is calmer and
safer than most.  It was still pretty windy, but
what a spot we scored.

This is Eric, 14 yrs old, and an up and coming
football star.  He can terrorize his sister with
buckets of freezing cold water and
shovel-fulls of wet sand.  But, you won't find
a more loyal brother anywhere.

Olivia looks innocent but, let me tell you
from experience, she is no victim.  She came
back at Eric with a vengence.  She is not someone
to be messed with!

Making trenches

My sweetheart at our wonderful campsite

This is the ice plant-gorgeous but an invasive species-it's
everywhere in northern California.

This is the Coast Guard station where Dave is assigned.  He
gave us a wonderful tour of the boats and facilities while Jaime
and Olivia babysat Boo and Mason, respectively.  I think Jaime
may think we have gone overboard with Boo!

My western family-Eric, Olivia, Jaime and Dave
with Mason in the stroller sound asleep.  Jaime is
my brother John's youngest daughter.  This is one
wonderful family.  We are so happy that they are
ours!