Snapshots

Sometimes I find myself taking mental snapshots of what's going on around me with the hopes that I can remember that moment in my life. That very moment is just too good to forget. These snapshots normally occur doing the most routine things. Taking our weekly Sunday family bike ride. Watching Jared wrestle with the kids. Sneaking a peek at Avery and Austin playing happily together in the back yard. If I could give a gift to myself that's what it would be. The ability to perfectly recall these moments in life where life is so wonderfully, deliciously good.

Back in August during our quick trip to Utah, we were able to squeeze in a few hours in between wedding events to go visit my grandparents up in Ogden. There was nothing overly fantastic or remarkably memorable about it, yet the whole visit was filled with constant snapshots that I hope to never forget. I have so very many memories of my grandparents, especially at their house. The sights, sounds and even smells that I experience when we visit bring back instantly floods of overlapping memories. It's funny, it doesn't seem to matter how old I am, I feel exactly the same when I visit them. Like a kid. Time keeps marching on and it's obvious with each visit that they aren't always going to be around to visit. Since we never really know when our "last visit" will be, I'm so grateful that we could have the kids spend the afternoon with their great-grandparents (or "Old Gramma and Grampa" as Avery calls them).

Thank goodness for cameras that can capture some of these moments I'd like to always remember.

Like our 6 year old only a head shorter than my 85 year grandma,

walking up the rose-lined walkway hand-in-hand

with our little super hero following behind.

My Uncle Jim winning over my son completely by showing him his fishing knives.

I'm not sure if he knew just how much a collection of rusted, fish guts encrusted knives could mean to our little Austin but it was the highlight of Austin's day and he still talks about it. I was so grateful for my Uncle Jim taking the time to do that.

(Not to mention the old, rusty, REAL pocketknife he gave to our 3 year old.

Austin loved it SO much I actually felt bad when it had to mysteriously "disappear" when we got back from our trip. We found that people don't take too kindly to seeing a 3 yr old armed with a knife. Just think what a hero I'll be when I "find" it in a few years after he's learned basic knife handling skills in Boy Scouts)

Avery feeling so proud when I gave her the camera

and the responsibility of taking pictures of Old Gramma and Grampa .

And the love of ice cream getting passed on for 4 generations.

Even better? Being able to eat Farr's ice cream at the same Farr's ice cream parlor where my mom and her friend Gail Farr worked scooping ice cream back in high school.

My daughter and my grandma speaking together like true confidants.

Knowing that being 50 and even 80 years apart means absolutely nothing

when it comes to loving someone.

My kids getting sweet little hugs out of two of the most un-huggable men I know.

(My grandpa doesn't normally hug, he shakes hands.)

Being so sad to say goodbye,

and knowing I'll miss my Grampa and Gramma just as much as my daughter will.

Everybody needs a grandma and a grandpa in their lives.

I'm grateful that I still have mine

and that I can share them with my kids.