lucky us! 4 years and counting at Our GRAND Lives!
Friday, November 13, 2026
Friday the 13th is often associated with a little bad luck,
but we're looking at this particular Friday the 13th a bit differently!
Welcome Back to Our Grand Lives!
Four years ago, we began our blogging adventure,
and today, Friday, November 13, we're celebrating four years
of sharing, creating, connecting, and, of course, living our Grand lives!
Who knew that a date sometimes considered unlucky
would turn out to be such a lucky day for us?
What started as a fun idea between two friends has grown into something that has brought us so much joy. Along the way, we've shared stories about our families, celebrated our Littles, explored new places, exchanged ideas, tried new recipes, and connected with readers near and far. We've learned a lot, had plenty of laughs, and discovered that there's always something new to share.
So, grab a cup of coffee (iced for Laura) or a soda (a diet Coke for Laurie)
and join us as we look back on four Grand years.
We've got some fun memories, a few surprises, and a whole lot of gratitude to share.
See what we mean? Lucky us!
Today marks a BIG anniversary for us!
(Well, at least to us it’s a big deal!)
Four years ago we hit “publish” for the first time!
In the Grand scheme of things, we’re still in the preschool stage of blogging! Even after four years, we have plenty to learn and remain continually inspired by the wonderful community we’ve discovered along the way.
Yet it’s amazing to look back at our very first posts and see how far we’ve come. What started as a simple idea during a rekindled friendship has grown into a creative outlet that challenges us and brings us so much joy.
In honor of this 4th anniversary, we’re devoting today’s post to us…
Laurie and Laura (also known as L & L)
as we look back on this adventure of our very own!
Who knew when we ran into each other on the street in the fall of 2021 that it would spark something so Grand in our lives? We truly believe it was a "God Moment" — bringing two retired kindergarten teachers and brand-new grandmas back together right when we needed a creative outlet most!
Soon after, we were connecting regularly to swap grandma stories and dream about this new stage of life, and Our Grand Lives was born.
Laurie became a Grammy in the summer of 2021 with the arrival of her Little D, and six months later, Laura followed when Little L arrived!
At first, Laura thought she’d be a Gramma and that’s what she called herself for the first year. However, Little L had a different idea and soon after began spontaneously calling her Bacco one day. Where did that come from? We will never know! Now Laura is simply known as Bacco and she cherishes her name!
Like the teachers we are, we spent months researching grandparenting blogs (yep - there are a few out there!), carving out our niche, and tackling technology and SEO (which we still don't fully understand!). By November 2022, we were ready to launch—or so we thought!
If you’d like to read more about our backstory,
this past post shares in detail how it all began!
What do you think about our very first attempt at a homepage?
Looking back, we soon realized it was lacking.
It didn’t take long before we added a few additional graphics to the above!
We kicked things off with a three-post "Launch Week," followed by six weeks of "Sneak Peeks" covering topics like "It’s Turkey Time" and "Fun Family Traditions." Every week, we dove into sharing the activities, celebrations, and reflections that inspired us—and those early posts were looooooonnnnngggg!
That was mostly thanks to Laura’s tendency to overshare while Laurie tried her best to edit her friend down. To our longtime readers, it’s still a work in progress (even with today’s post!), though we hope you’ve noticed at the very least a slight improvement over 280+ posts!
❤️ Look at how we’ve grown! ❤️
Those first homepages (above) were quickly replaced with this one!
Then came this one!
As our families grew, our center photo ws updated to keep up with the times!
And, as our Littles got bigger our blogging skills got better, too!
Through all the changes,
our overriding vision has remained the same!
Our latest and greatest - our current homepage , November 2026!
Our mission statement sits front and center on Our Grand Lives because it perfectly captures our vision: sharing simple, hands-on activities and real-life experiences to enjoy with your own grandchildren and to celebrate the gift of family.
Along the way, we love weaving in family adventures, traditions, and a few lessons learned during this Grand phase of life!
Since the number 13 has long had a reputation for being unlucky,
we're turning the tables and giving it a Grand new meaning today!
Four years of blogging have given us plenty to celebrate, a few things to laugh about, and lots we’ve learned along the way! We put our heads together and gathered 13 fun facts, memories, and lessons that capture our four-year adventure.
Here we are when we met virtually earlier this week…
2 ½ hours of reflecting on our 4 years together!
In no particular order,
here is a peek behind the scenes of
Our Grand Lives
that might make you smile, surprise you, or even make you laugh!
#1 - We both share the given name “Laura”!
We were both legally named Laura by our parents, and we’ve both gone by Laurie at different points, too — each with a fun backstory!
Laurie’s Story: My mom named me after Laura Petrie from The Dick Van Dyke Show. When
I reached kindergarten alongside another Laura (Laura W.), our teacher decided to call
me "Laurie" instead of using last initials, and it stuck!
Laura’s Story: My mom chose Laura thinking it was rare, only to learn three other baby
girls born in the hospital that exact day were named Laurie or Lori! My family and
neighbors called me Laurie (or Laura Leigh) when I was young, until I started school with
several other Lauries and switched back to Laura for good!
When we first met decades ago as young teachers and brand-new moms, we had no idea how our lives—and names—would intertwine again as first-time Grands! Lucky Us!
#2 - We each bring our strengths and passions to our partnership!
Ever wonder how two people share a blog and make it work? One of our biggest keys has been dividing, conquering, and leaning into our natural talents. Laurie leads our social media, while Laura handles most of the blog writing (with plenty of input from Laurie along the way!). Even behind the camera, we have our specialties—Laurie captures the people and shared moments, while Laura tends to focus on the surroundings, decor, and food.
We also bring two grandparenting perspectives to the table: Laurie lives close to her Littles and sees them regularly, while Laura is a long-distance Grand finding creative ways to connect from afar. Our approaches differ, and together they make this partnership truly Grand! Lucky Us!
#3 - We do most of our long range planning in person!
When we first dreamed up this blog, our husbands often teased that they’d see us at dinnertime whenever we left for a 10 a.m. coffee date! We couldn't help getting sidetracked by our Littles, grown kids, retirement, and education — sometimes scheduling back-to-back meetings, one purely for gabbing and one for staying on task!
These days, we meet in person quarterly and stay connected in between via texts, quick phone "conference calls," Google Docs, and a shared photo album. We’ve definitely got our system down! Lucky Us!
#4 - Sometimes our blog becomes our personal scrapbook!
Our monthly "Life Lately" posts are a fun way to share our lives with you, with an added bonus: since we don't always catch up with each other consistently, these posts keep us in the loop, too! Once one of us adds an update, a text thread almost always follows with questions, extra details, and stories that didn't make the cut.
Looking back, writing about special occasions and family adventures has created a digital scrapbook filled with memories we'll treasure for years to come. Lucky Us!
#5 - We’re always being stretched and learning something new!
Who knew there was so much to learn when we started four years ago? Looking back at our earliest posts—where readers had to scroll and scroll and scroll—all we can do is roll our eyes!
Beyond writing, we've tackled website maintenance, graphic design, the importance of vertical photos for Instagram, website analytics, and mysterious things like SEO and meta descriptions. We aren't experts yet, but we're proud of how far two Grands with an idea have come! Lucky Us!
#6 - We’re constantly inspired by each other!
If you could listen in on our chats, you'd quickly see we talk about much more than blog posts! We constantly swap gift ideas, family activities, recipes, travel adventures, and a little teacher insight.
Often, one casual thought sparks something entirely unexpected, and before we know it, we're off and running with another GRAND adventure! Having someone to bounce ideas off of and introduce fresh perspectives is truly a gift. Lucky Us!
#7 - People seem to prefer reading blogs OR scrolling social media!
Not everyone keeps up with us the same way! Some readers love visiting the blog to settle in with a story or try a recipe, while others prefer scrolling Facebook or Instagram for quick highlights and photos.
And guess what? There’s room for everyone—in fact, we each have our own favorite, too! (Can you guess who is who?)
Each platform serves its own purpose, and whether you're a reader, a follower, or both, we're just thrilled you're here! Lucky Us!
#8 - It’s exciting to grow our blog but it can also be a lot of work!
Watching Our Grand Lives grow is one of the best parts of this journey! We can’t quite believe we’ve published 280+ posts and welcomed readers from over 50 countries and across the United States — it's rewarding to reach people we may otherwise never connect with!
At the same time, keeping a blog running takes plenty of behind-the-scenes work. Finding that sweet spot between growing our audience and keeping this adventure enjoyable is an ongoing balance, and one we don't take lightly! Lucky Us!
#9 - We’ve learned to expect the unexpected!
Things rarely go completely according to plan! Whether it's a stubborn Instagram Reel, a vanishing link, or a last-minute tech glitch as a deadline looms, we've learned to stay flexible, laugh at ourselves, and find a solution — even if it takes a YouTube tutorial, a quick Google search, or a desperate tech SOS to our ever-patient families!
Things that once seemed completely foreign are now part of our routine, and while no one would call us "techie," it sure keeps our brain cells multiplying! Lucky Us!
#10 - It’s important to stay in the moment!
As much as we love sharing our experiences here, sometimes we need to put the blog aside and simply be present! Whether working on a project with our Littles or enjoying a family outing, we want to let the shared experience take the lead—even if that means putting the camera down or the planned project away!.
Viewing life first through our eyes as Grands rather than bloggers reminds us that our Littles don't need every minute documented; they need us to laugh, listen, and get down on the floor to play. Making real-life memories will always come first. Lucky Us!
#11 - We love connecting to this community!
We said this earlier, but one of the greatest unexpected joys of blogging has been connecting with people we never would have crossed paths with otherwise. While it's easy to get caught up in replying to comments and liking posts, this community is so much deeper than simple clicks.
This space has proven to be a welcoming place overflowing with collective insights, lived wisdom, and encouragement. Swapping ideas and cheering one another on through everyday milestones has truly enriched our lives. Lucky Us!
#12 - We give each other grace!
As much as we adore blogging, we know it isn’t the only thing that fills our cups! We’ve built a connected partnership rooted in flexibility — so when one of us needs to step back, delay a post, or take a breather, the other wholeheartedly honors it.
Taking scheduled blogging breaks a few times a year keeps us refreshed and reminds us that our spouses, our families, our friendships and our faith will always take precedence. Lucky Us!
#13 - We’re excited about the future!
So, where will Our Grand Lives take us in year five and beyond? As our Littles grow, we’re excited to expand beyond toddlers and preschoolers to cover a wider range of ages, dive deeper into retirement and embracing the Grand Life as we age, share more tips for long-distance Grands, and maybe add a fresh series or two… Guest Grands, anyone?
Behind the scenes, we hope to return to meeting in person more often and figure out the best way to preserve and archive our posts. (If you have any thoughts on that, please share!) Lucky Us!
Here’s to whatever comes next on this wonderful adventure!
Lucky Us!
To keep the celebration going,
and continue this tradition from last year,
we’re taking a look back at the posts that stood out most
since 2026 began!
Below, you’ll find the top four reader favorites from this year,
followed by four personal favorites from each of us,
ones we loved creating and sharing with you all!
Time to scroll away!
YOUR Top 4 Favorite Posts!
#4 Viewer Post
In this post, we revisited some of the memorable milestones and meaningful moments
that made May 2026 a month to remember!
#3 Viewer Post
In our 2026 edition of this annual post, we shared three new ideas
for Mother’s Day gift inspiration!
#2 Viewer Post
In this post we shared three of our tried and true treats and sweets
to serve at your viewing party or as part of any Olympic gathering!
and the #1 viewer post…
Fresh strawberries, bright citrus, juicy peaches and time spent with family...
it's hard to imagine a better recipe for summer!
Thanks so much for reading and following along!
And now… OUR Top 4 Favorite Posts!
We’ve shared so many activities, adventures and celebrations this year
and while we have a huge affection for all our posts,
we each have our Top 4 favorites
and we’re excited to share them below!
What a treat it’s been to scroll through our work from the past year
and be reminded of all we’ve covered and shared!
It was a challenge to narrow it down to four favorite posts,
but I’m happy to say, I did it!
The solemn nature of Holy Week has always affected me, and now as a Grammy and Sunday School teacher I appreciate being able to share it with Littles. I have also learned to appreciate the uniqueness of a child’s understanding of it all.
As a young teacher I did not like bugs of any sorts. But to be an effective teacher I had to be a role model as well. So I learned a lot about “bugs” and began to handle creepy crawlies! In the process, I learned to respect these creatures. Now I love teaching people about the coolness and wonder of them instead of the ick factor.
#2 - Made with Love! A Valentine Card Shop for Littles!
I LOVED doing play centers with my kindergartners in the classroom and watching the joy and learning that took place there, and now I LOVE putting these centers together for my own Littles for the same reason!
I loved writing this post, reflecting on my mom and the short time I had her in my life. It was very cathartic to write about her and the influence she had in who I became in life. Laura, who does most of the beautiful writing on our blog, finished this post and brought me to tears with the words below. They are so meaningful to me that I had the words copied and and they are now framed in my workroom...
Before there was a BOO Bash,
there was a little girl growing up with a mom
who loved nothing more than throwing a fun party.
She has been gone for a long time now,
but here’s to you, Mom, our original party girl,
and to the BOO Bash tradition you unknowingly helped inspire!
❤️ ❤️ ❤️
It was SO hard to choose only four…
each blog post feels like our baby as I finish writing it.
But, as you’ll see, I did it, too!
(Aren’t you amazed, Laurie?)
I’m so grateful for the platform blogging allows me
to share meaningful messages with my own Littles as well as others!
The Power of Yet shows how a little word can make such a difference,
shifting our thinking from “I can’t” to “I can’t… yet!”
Last summer, Laurie was preparing her oldest Little for kindergarten.
Next summer, I’ll be doing the same!
In this post, we put on our kindergarten teacher hats,
and shared heartfelt ways to help prepare our Littles for this big step in their lives!
The Fourth of July has always been one of. my favorite holidays!
As we celebrated America’s 250th birthday this past summer,
we took a look back at our favorite family traditions and treasured memories!
#1 - Our Story Time Pick for November 2026: A Wrinkled Heart!
First off, I love any post devoted to reading
and this monthly series has given us a chance to share that passion with you all!
Second, this particular post and our most recent one,
celebrates a special day which also happens to be today, November 13!
Happy World Kindness Day!
May we all spread a bit of kindness to those around us - today and every day!
❤️ ❤️ ❤️
After retiring from our careers as Kindergarten teachers,
Our Grand Lives has given us both a wonderful outlet these past four years
for sharing our love of family and children,
for learning and creating
and for celebrating and making memories!
We are so grateful for our friendship and the adventures we share.
We are incredibly grateful to our husbands, our families and our friends
for taking this journey with us
(and for often being our very own guinea pigs along the way)!
And, of course, THE BIGGEST THANK YOU goes to ALL OF YOU!
THANK YOU for taking the time to stop by and to read our posts here
and/or by following us on our social media sites.
Special thanks to our subscribers and regular readers!
❤ We are grateful! ❤
As always, if you have any thoughts, ideas or insights to share,
we’d love to hear more!
If you have a favorite post from our site or a favorite reason for visiting,
OR it you have any suggestions for ways we can better support
other Grands and blogging friends
please share by commenting at the end of this post
You can always reach out to us directly at ourgrandlives@gmail.com!
As we think back over these past four years,
we’ve realized that blogging has taught us more than we ever imagined…
Not just about writing or technology,
but about ourselves and the legacy we hope to leave for those we love!
Each post, each photo, and each story has revealed something new
and we look forward to continuing to grow, to learn
and to celebrate life’s Grand joys and God's blessings… together!
💗 We are delighted to join the following link up parties and blog hops! 💗
MONTHLY
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
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