August 2017 Visit from Grandma and Grandpa

August 2017 began with big excitement: A visit from Grandma and Grandpa! In preparation for their visit, there was cleaning, and also some furniture moving, which made possible this nice new view (far better than the perpetually cluttered desk that used to be where the piano is now):

Grandma and Grandpa's visit included a Friday (Free Fun Friday!), and so they went with us to the Children's Museum at Holyoke. Lots of fun stuff there for the kids to play with.

The next day brought another museum adventure: the Connecticut Science Center.

The harp Grandpa and Clarissa are checking out plays with lasers instead of strings.

Curtis built this fort all by himself.

Dad moved something with his mind!

This may look like a random, pointy blue thing . . .

. . . but it's actually a piece from the rocket that launched James Doohan's ashes into space(Scotty from the original Star Trek). It's covered in signatures from his coworkers.

Watch out for the dinosaur on the ground: it moves!

The science center is built overlooking the Connecticut River. Behold, the view:

Later that evening, Grandma and Grandpa treated us to dinner at a yummy Mexican restaurant near their motel (same place Grandmother and Grandfather usually stay when they visit).

During our times between outings, the kids enjoyed playing with the fun building toys Grandma and Grandpa gave them (see Clarissa's creation below). We're so glad they came to see us!