Fun in Franklin

This week is spring break for Reese. On Friday she played hooky and the kids and I flew to Franklin, TN to visit my parents.  My Gram (or "Mootsie" as the kids call her) was there and she didn't know that we were coming.  It was so much fun to see the shock on her face when we walked in. 

It was a very relaxing four days.  The kids enjoyed helping out in the kitchen.  First up was making cookies. 

The evenings were relaxed as well.  Lots of snuggling up.  The weather was very Chicago-like so we cozied up to the warm fires at night.

Reese found her newest hobby.....washing dishes.  Unfortunately she didn't bring that one home with her.  You better believe that I tried!

More cooking.  Up next was ice cream.

Seriously?  Why won't she do the dishes at home? 

When I say that we did a lot of relaxing, I really mean it.  Reese loves to read and enjoyed the morning paper while we were there. 

A friend of my parents' has a farm and on that farm she has a horse....three actually.  They went for a visit and to feed them carrots.  I opted out of this one.  I had a very bad experience when I was a child.  It started with a horse sneezing and ended with horse snot and boogers all over my face.  Not a fan. 

On our last night there we had a joint birthday celebration.  Mootsie turned 89 on the 17th of March and Reese was just two days short of her 7th. 

They celebrated their birthdays together once before, six years ago, when we were living in Washington:

These are amongst the most special memories we all have.  We had such a nice trip and it was so fabulous to spend quality time with my parents and with my beautiful Gram.