Reflections on GKC 2010

hmmm...  where to begin? 

Things that make GKC so much easier

• all seven kids can buckle up
• no diapers or pull-ups necessary
• everyone can dress themselves
• all can manage their own socks and shoes
• 6 out of 7 brush their own teeth
• 6 out of 7 shower and shampoo alone
• everyone carries their own plate to the sink
• no more fights in the hot tub
• colored towel assignments
• Maisy on demand (DVR)
• Alvin and the Chipmunks (movie fits all, entirely & repeatedly) 

Things we learned at GKC 2010

• Never leave unattended bags of trash (aka bear food) outside
• TT, flush, wash and brush every night
• Quiet time is essential every day (for the adults)
• The sneaky children end up in our bed each morning
• Dessert is expected after each meal (including breakfast)
• You can never have too much milk in the fridge

Special about each of our grandchildren:

• Jack loves to read and whittle, but drops everything to help out
• Will is careful and conscientious, especially with the 4-wheeler
• Holly Grace is extremely creative with art, crafts & imagination
• Grant is always anxious to help, especially in the kitchen
• Mitchell's enthusiasm (for everything) creates excitement & joy
• Brock, our little tough guy, rarely cries & smiles with his eyes
• Charlotte wakes up with a smile and shares it with others

Our favorite moments this year...

• The kids eyes when we had a limo ride to the Big Texan
• Alibates Flint Quarry Hike
• Treasure Island Water Park at Sunray (ahhh... relaxation)
• Panhandle Plains Museum the buffalo skinning video and the alarm that went off (who knew we weren't suppose to touch?)
• Palo Duro Canyon "mountain climbing"
• 4-wheeling in the mountains (graduating the kids to bigger)
• Walkie Talkie Commandos (wine in hand at command center)
• Movie nights
• Farkle games on the porch
• Fireworks show at Eagle's nest lake (sparkle in the kids' eyes)

We absolutely love having them all together.
Thank you to our children for indulging us with our grandchildren.

The Day After GKC - 2010

We had a very lazy morning...

sleeping..

watching tv,

and snuggling.

There was a short outside playtime,

then the rain came.

This is what a rainy day

in the mountains

looks like on the inside!

Our artist have been at work.

When the rain stopped,

apparently it was time to make pizza!

It really was not very appetizing,

so...

Jack, Mitchell and PawPaw started a campfire.

A perfect fire for hot dogs.

Yummy!

The girls brought the food.

S'mores followed.

Charlotte loves to eat and

to wear them.

It looks like Pinocchio, but it is Charlotte!

After S'mores, there is time for

roasting marshmallows!

Charlotte and Mitchell and marshmallows!

Tomorrow, we will head to Amarillo.

Surveying to cooking...

It is sad to see GKC come to an end.

After the cousins left

 Jack was feeling a little lonely,

 so PawPaw took him along to

stake the lower survey line.

They took survey markers

and a machete.

Charlotte and Mitchell were napping.

I gave Holly Grace my cookbook

from my childhood.

(It is amazing what you find

when cleaning closets,

kitchen drawers

and such!)

Her assignment was to look though it and

find a recipe that she wanted to try.

She choose Choc'laty Sauce

and we had all the ingredients!

The big plus was that we had

homemade ice cream in the freezer!

So, she measured

 and stirred

and cooked.

And it was wonderful!

A dark chocolate sauce

is PawPaw's favorite!

Finishing GKC 2010!

When we say that help arrives,

we really mean help!

Cory brought his big chain saw

to finish the job on the pine tree.

Mitchell lost his paper airplane.

He found it in the gutter.

So, PawPaw used this opportunity

to remove the pine needles

and Mitchell!

Christi enjoyed painting Holly's nails!

Holly loved the finished product!

Watching Alvin and the Chipmonks!

Command Center

Providing the info for the next mission.

The Little Team once again

follows instructions...

down...

down the slide

and to the bottom.

The Red Raider Team

knows what to do.

The Little Team

does it all correctly

and finishes their mission!

The Red Raiders

finish their mission.

Does this look like a commando? 

What about this one?

These commandos were had picked

by the operations specialist. 

Don't argue with him.

uh oh...

Back to work!

Cutting begats splitting.

Our grandkids are all growing.

(We call this one "Chigger")

And we are marking!

Finishing GKC 2010 with our

July 4th Celebration!

We watched a fireworks show

over the lake at Eagles Nest

and had a great time.

GKC - Day 8

Brock enjoys

morning coffee with PawPaw.

Let's get the Flag flying!

Color Guard.

Post the colors.

Today is clean the water box day.

Our water box is a 6X6X6 concrete box.

It is set in a mountain stream that

basically flows though it.

Our water flows from it to our pump

and purification system

under the cabin.

It goes through two filters

and a UV light.

Occasionally, the box needs to be cleaned.

Jack in the box.

Grant in the box.

Holly Grace after her turn in the box.

The boys after being hosed down.

Help has arrived.

Cory and Christi arrived this afternoon.

Brock showing his mom

what he can do.

grrrrrr...

The first time we sat down all week! 

What a nice evening.

Brock is happy to see his daddy!

And his mommy!

Christi and Charlotte.

Reading.

Reading with an accent.

It has been a really fun week of GKC 2010.