Oct. 9th - UCLA game at Grandma & Grandad's

It's very rare that my family doesn't watch a UCLA football game.  We usually do it in our own homes, but every once in awhile we get together to watch and commiserate.  We decided to all drive out to my Grandma and Grandad's house in Northridge to watch UCLA play Cal.  As usual, they didn't play very well, but we had a wonderful time being with one another.

John was on a business trip to India and then New York so he missed out on the fun, but my parents, Bobby, Renee, and Taylor were all there.  We got there about lunch time and decided we all wanted something to eat.  My Dad offered to go buy something and Grandad decided we'd eat Taco Bell.  I just about fell out of my chair when he said that!  I just couldn't imagine Grandad eating Taco Bell, let alone suggesting it!  He had a taco or two though and proved me wrong.

Taylor was a bit shy but she had fun checking things out in the family room.  Babies playing with Grandma's bees are a family tradition.

Grandma and Grandad brought Taylor a doll from their latest trip to Europe.  It's so cute!

And Grandad let her play with his heater (unplugged of course).

Grandad also gave her some of his veggie chips.  She warmed up to him real quick after that!

Once the game was over we decided to head into the backyard for awhile.  Taylor kept heading straight for the pool!  Finally Bobby decided to let her put her feet in.  Grandad was egging Taylor on and telling Bobby to let her go for a swim.  Taylor that was a good idea so he let her walk around on the first step.  Grandad was still egging her on to jump in and swim!  And wouldn't you know it, she reaching out towards the center of the pool to grab the water like it was solid or something and went face first into the water!!!  She floated there for a second before Bobby jumped into action and pulled her up.  My Grandad was up on the patio laughing his heart out!!  I've never heard him laugh so hard.  He got such a kick out of it.  I'll always remember that.

At that point, Bobby and Taylor were both all wet so he decided to just let her keep playing on the step.

Grandma put her feet in too.

Grandad watched from above.

That day was the last time we got to spend with our Grandad.  On the following Monday he went in for emergency surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm.  He lived through the surgery but after 3 weeks of fighting, his body had had enough.  I will always cherish that last day we got to spend with both of my grandparents.  My Grandad was a an amazing man and a wonderful grandfather.  I feel honored to be one of his grandchildren.