Grandpa Time!

Ken's dad, Ken (which is why my Love is called Kenny every time we're around his family) had wanted to spend a lot more time with us and the girls on this trip.  However, Diane (AKA Evil One) had just lost her job and was home.  So, we went over to see Dad a couple times so the girls could hang around Grandpa and work with the horses.  


All three girls loved the horses.  Mandy's allergies were horrific, so she had a difficult time being in the bard without a massive dose of Benedryl two or three times during the trip, but she still loved hanging around the horses.  Mandy, however, refused to get on a horse.  They were large and scary.

Grandpa is getting the energy out of the mare so that she won't be so figity when being ridden.  Jordan, just cannot get enough and has to be in the middle of it all.

Yes, they pleaded to be able to bring Missy home with us.  Um, no!

 Taylor was first to ride, but she screamed in panic almost the entire time. I felt bad for her because she was brave enough to get on the horse, while I was a big fraidy cat and decided no way.  No matter what Grandpa and Dad did to calm her down, she was too afraid to enjoy the experience.  

And here is where you can see the total fear

 Jordan, on the other hand, could not get enough!!  After the first walk around the track, Jordan wanted to run and jump and do whatever else Grandpa would let her do.  She did really good at using the reigns to lead the horse and direct her.

Here she is using the reigns to move her 

Mandy and Taylor got distracted by the dog

Jordan is again using the reigns to move Missy to the left

Can you see the pride in her smile??

Jordan is getting horse information from Dad's former tenant.

The girls had another visit to the barn with Grandpa, but I wasn't there with a camera, and while I know that Dad took pictures, I also know that I will never see copies of them unless I physically take his camera and download the pictures.  


The most important part was the girls' spending time with Grandpa.  It was great fun watching them learn about horses.  


Another fun outing with Grandpa was to the Buffalo Science Museum and to an ice-cream parlor where Grandpa used to work many, many moons ago.  Dad kept getting on us to take the girls somewhere educational, and we were finally able to find the time.  So off to the museum we went.  


The girls loved listening to Grandpa talk about the things they were looking at, and they would run from one exhibit to the next.  Jordan, however, wanted to work Grandpa around her little finger - and he fell for it every time.

After the Museum, Grandpa wanted to take the girls to a very cool ice-cream shoppe.  It is called Parkside Candy, and Grandpa used to work here.  Everything is made on-site and still using the original methods.  This candy shoppe was featured in the movie, The Natural because it was the only authentic soda shoppe available for the movie for the time period.  The girls had a blast and loved seeing where Grandpa used to work as a youngster.  More of their report card money was spent here very happily!  

And then there's more ice-cream!

We stopped off for pizza before heading back.  The girls did NOT like the fact that we were getting ready to leave New York and Grandpa.  Mandy wanted to stay forever! 

One of our favorite stories of Dad's was when he was telling us about how a guy wanted to gain some information regarding farming and weather, etc.  This guy was told to go see "The Old Farmer our on Ransom."  Yep, that "old farmer" was Dad.  Totally rocks!!!  He did not appreciate our laughter at his expense, but it seemed like he was happy with that title.

Again, the best part of our trips to New York are the times spent with family and friends.  The girls will never forget the time with Grandpa.