"I love your Grammy Nell!"

The three aliens quirked their eyebrows.

"Grammy Nell?" Isabel questioned.

"Yeah," Alex attempted to explain, while Liz was enveloping Maria in a stranglehold hug. "That's what we all call her -- Grammy Nell. Her real name is Ellen. She's a cool, cool lady. I think you'll like her."

"No, you'll love her!" Liz exclaimed.

Maria couldn't get over Liz's excitement. It must be grandma deprivation, she mused, since their beloved Grandma Claudia passed away.

"So, where does she live?" Max inquired, after getting over the initial shock that they were all going to be vacationing together, for a whole week, at Maria's bequest.

"Oregon," Maria answered, as she and Liz finally managed to sit down.

"Oregon?" Michael asked.

Maria nodded.

"Guess we're gonna have to break out the raincoats."

"No, no. Right now it's absolutely gorgeous there. But yes, bring warmer clothes, and also, it's a big ranch, so be prepared to do some riding," Maria answered Michael thoughtfully.

"Riding?" Isabel asked. Apparently, questions were the only form of communication the aliens were capable of at the moment.