Papa & Grandma's Visit

What a treat it was to have Papa and Grandma come for Christmas this year and they were able to stay for a whole week which was the icing on the cake!  They had made it out quite a few times this past year but mostly to help us work on the house.  So this time was extra special because we were able to put work aside on the house, for the most part, and just enjoy spending time together.  The kids were in heaven! 

Zeke and my dad have such a special bond and at one point my dad told me that Zeke had said to him, "Am I your best buddy, because you're my best buddy!" and then Zeke flung his arms around my dad's neck and gave him a huge bear hug!  That just melted my heart and made my heart ache at the distance (literally) between us and my parents.  How we wish there were some way for us to be next door neighbors.  Well my kids weren't about to waste one moment of their time with Papa and Grandma on this visit.  They spent many hours snuggled up together reading their Bibles with Papa and Grandma and talking about all the Bible stories, reading books, playing with their new toys and games and taking trips into town for some fun outings. 

My dad helped Nate get our disposal and dishwasher hooked up and running, which is one awesome luxury, and he also designed our master walk-in closet which was another huge help because both Nathan and I were stumped on how to get the most out of the small space.  That was one of the few projects that was worked on while they were here.

And of course the time went all too fast.  Funny how that works, when you're having fun time decides to speed up instead of slow down.  I treasure seeing my dad and mom carry around my sweet baby girl and love on her.  I love watching McKenzie snuggle up with my mom while reading the Bible together and singing together, and the relationship between my son and my dad is priceless, it brings tears to my eyes and a special kind of ache in my heart as I sit and realize how incredibly blessed we are, how blessed my children are to have such loving Grandparents!  We are beyond grateful that we are able to see them as much as we do, and for the huge blessing they are to each one of us when they come.  We love and miss you so much Papa and Grandma (Mom and Dad) and we always count down the days for our next visit together and always hope for the day to come that we could be neighbors.

family shot

sweet snuggle time

love this!

laughing together

love

check out the finished product of the mug my kiddos made for Grandma

reading the Bible together.  (Papa's mug is on the piano)

morning snuggle time

Janessa just hangin out

lots of reading

my sweet girl trying on my shoes.  love.

the kids set up a pretend meal and they were praying before they ate.  so cute!

during my parents visit my grandma (their great grandma) ended up in the hospital, and then my grandpa did as well.  here we are looking at a photo of them in the hospital.

Love you Great Grandma and Great Grandpa!

playing catch

getting ready to hit the ball

best buddies!

and more reading together!

sweet girl

sweet baby kisses

absolutely love it!

me and my love!

Papa and Grandma and their blessings!

after we dropped them off at the airport the kids needed a little movie to help with the transition and a quiet house.  miss you tons Papa and Grandma!

my sweet, beautiful girls