Visiting Grandpa

When they were little, the kids used to love visiting in Cottonwood and spending time with Grandma and Grandpa. Grandma has been gone for a long time and Grandpa has been alone most of this time. The valley is so green and pretty most of the year. The house looks out over a gorgeous pasture where cows graze lazily on long summer days. Boarded horses stride through the pasture and small orchard at the side and back of the house. The tall cottonwood trees shelter a path to the river bordering along the edge of the property. It is a quiet place - until people visit, then it comes to life. Grandpa enjoys having visitors. He isn't feeling well enough to travel much these days. It's been so long since any of the kids have gone to visit. John and Kelly and Jacob and Maria were there to celebrate Grandpa's 80th birthday with other family members. That was more than a year ago, in August. I don't believe any of them have visited since then.

I don't think Quentin has gone up to Cottonwood since returning from his mission in February. It's been a long, long time since Jodie has visited. Jodie's little TJei has visited a couple times - we have taken her and Great-Grandpa has had wonderful visits with her. She especially likes riding Great-Grandpa's quad with her Grandpa. Great-Grandpa enjoys watching her play on the hammock suspended between the trees in his front yard. He says that hammock has been a pretty good investment. All the little kids have enjoyed playing on that thing. He's enjoyed her visits and has gotten a proud little twinkle in his eyes when she cries, "I want to stay with Great-Grandpa!" when it's time to leave.

He hasn't met little Baylee born in August nor little Mia born just this past October. I'm sure he'd enjoy visits with them. It would sure be nice if the kids could go up and visit, spend some time with him. I know he would enjoy the visit and learning about the events of their lives these days.