Celebrating Grandparents

Yesterday, we received the news that Dean's grandfather passed away unexpectedly (age 80). This was after a day of celebrating MY grandmother's 85th birthday. We did have a nice party, but then and even more so after Martina's phone call I started to reflect on how as we are getting older so are our grandparents (and our parents, but don't tell them that yet). It makes you want to spend as much time as you can with that grandparent while you can. My grandfather just past away in May when I was home last, and I was grateful to be able to attend his wonderful funeral services, but I regretted not spending more time visiting him when I was in SC. We were so glad to have had our trip to Seattle to see the Grandparents last year, but I do wish that they could have met little Zachary - he really is the spitting image of his grandmother Martina (Nana) - and they would have loved him. I comforted in knowing that they cherished our photos and more recently our blog. Grandpa was great at sending little encouraging emails to us - me too, the grand-daughter-in-law. I've also been thinking about the rocking chair and horse that he hand made that are in Jacob's room. They are well-loved and will serve as sweet reminders of his love for his family.

These are all of Grandma's great-grandkids, except for Zachary who was napping. That little empty spot beside John was for him...

Top row (R to L): Jacob Milne, Thomas Windell, Ethan Hopper, Campbell Compton.

Front row: Macy Hinson, Ann Windell, Grandma and John Windell.