The Ranch- December 2011

My Dad and Debbie spent Christmas with my grandparents this year, so after Christmas I took Gracie and we went to see all of them for a few days.  They live in Humboldt County, so for being a long drive for a toddler, she did really well!  I didn't even bring the DVD player (didn't have someone to help me, and it was bad enough keeping her happy with my music choices!)  We left on Tuesday and had yet another Christmas Tuesday evening, in which Gracie received a very unique pair of shoes...that squeak when she walks!  She had a BLAST with the ranch dogs, feeding sheep and horses, reading and tea parties with her "Great" (that is what my grandma wanted to be called...) playing in hay in the barn, pretending to drive the tractor, ACTUALLY driving Grandpa's car (well...on his lap) and much more.  We spent one afternoon, just the two of us, visiting my Auntie's grave and bringing her flowers.  Gracie was so sweet and we had a picnic lunch, but then she wanted to basically play hopscotch with the rows of grave markers.  I flinched at first, but then figured maybe some of the people hadn't had visitors in awhile, and they wouldn't mind my little girl jumping on their name.   Oops...

 She was a very happy little girl, but very happy to come home and see her Daddy who had to stay home and work.