Grant Family Farm

Hawaii on the Homefront...

The kids had their own fun activites while we were on vacation... Ashlyn's 13th birthday fell two days before our departure date (hectic!), so she proposed a small family b-day on the real day, and a Hawaiian Luau with her siblings and friends while we were away. She designed pretty much the entire party on her own- chalk surfboard drawing competition, tug-of-war, Luau bookmarks... fun times!

Our artist...

Pull!

Savannah and Ashlyn did a joint effort on the cake front... Ashlyn baked and
decorated these "pineapple" cakes, and Savannah did the sheet cake.

The Sound of Music

We are so thankful for the wonderful music instruction of Heide Cox. She has taught our girls piano, guitar, recorder, and hammered dulcimer, and thus filled our home with the sound of music.

Victoria and Savannah surprised Scott at their spring music recital with a lovely custom arrangement of one of his favorite songs from Braveheart. They were able to have Caleb Cox (Heide's talented son) join them on the bagpipes and whistle. It brought Scott to tears.. a feat that is tough to do!

Fun with Family and Friends...

One of the greatest blessings of living in California is being close to lots of family and friends... Alison's parents are across town and Scott's family is within four hours, which makes family time, reunions, special-days-with-Nana, Thanksgiving football, etc. a reality. Great memories!

Grant Thanksgiving Reunions always involve touch football and lots of laughs!

Veterans Day event with Alison and her Dad

Special times with Nana!

Trying on Grandpa's Navy outfits... we're proud of his service!

Thanksgiving with Scott's family

Cousin time!

Camping fun!

Some very dear friends of ours graciously hosted our family when we had a detour in England on our flight home from Ethiopia in 2011. We were grateful when they recently moved back to the states and we had an opportunity to return the favor by watching three of their children for a week while their parents went on cruise.

Seeing where Mr. Grant works...

... and the Sundial Bridge

Riding for the horse lover...

And cuddling newly-hatched chicks...

Fun had by all!

Kitten Sittin'

Savannah and Ashlyn had a memorable, cuteness-filled summer of fostering kittens from a local shelter. Although they experienced some unexpected issues including mama kitty deciding to stop nursing, kittens coming down with upper respiratory infections, etc., the two finished with lots of great memories and hours of kitten cuddles. Ashlyn is our definite little mother, and she did a fabulous job taking care of her sixteen little ones!

A cupful of sheer cuteness!

Bundles of cuddles!

Fourth of July at Rocky Point

We were blessed to find that Scott's schedule allowed for a camping trip over 4th of July, and we had a wonderful time vacationing in Rocky Point, Oregon. After a beautiful drive, we spent some time relaxing, reading, and paddling on Klamath Lake; Alison spent time with the stomach flu all week, which really helped her make special camping memories! :) For the rest of the family, though, it was a wonderful time to recharge, laugh, and play...

A Mama who loves her boys...

How far out can I reach?

School calls, even on camping trips!

Three people in the boat, three getting tugged alongside!

1 Dad + 6 inexperienced but eager children = boating 'adventure' :)

Camping at Crescent City

The Grants had a wonderful, week long camping trip to Crescent City in late August, filled with laughter, lots of time in the ocean, and sight-seeing. Some dear family friends were able to come along, and our two families had a blast! Some of our favorite memories from this trip include many hours playing on the beach, climbing the big trees near our campsite, seeing the Trees of Mystery, and enjoying the novel feeling of relaxation...

Sitting on Paul Bunyan's boot at the Trees of Mystery

Two families- thirteen happy kiddos ranging from 5 to 19!

Our new teenager!

Ethan, Levi, and their friend Samuel...

Savannah and Victoria with their friend, Mackenzie...

Levi, our happy camper!

Victoria and Savannah (Nineteen and seventeen) are sisters but also each other's best friends.

Playing cribbage...

A rare moment- Scott and Alison both relaxing!

Doran Beach Camping Trip

Scott's family enjoys a yearly group 'glamping' trip to a lovely RV park located on Bodega Bay, where the adventurous family members stay busy with fishing, clamming, and crabbing, and everyone else relaxes! It is a wonderful time to hang out with cousins, catch up with family, and try to catch some fresh seafood.