down memory lane...

We went to Grandma Jackie & Grandpa Ted's house ... the boys LOVE going there.  So do I.  I know a lot of people grow up in life with feelings like they would have wished that they did more when they actually had the time and energy to give to their children.  Then you live your life, and you grow old(er).  I bet that's what you might feel like in life if you felt like you lived your life so fast that you missed your kiddos grow older. 

I think some people are lucky in life to get SOOO much of their parental attention... They have no idea what it might be to not get as much attention...

this was during one of my family trips... we were missing a couple of our siblings in this pic still! :)

SO... I think both lifestyles are awesome... I think I learned a lot and so did Erik - in our different ways.  I think parents bring that to the table and then that is the meat and potatoes of what is important to us in our future in raising our own.  I can feel that it is really important to sweet Grandma Jackie and Grandpa Ted to have a good relationship with our boys, Elijah and Malachi.  The boys are so welcome there and they have so much fun! Grandma and Grandpa always have a really neat toy for them and cool-awesome light up shirts (TRANSFORMERS!!:)

All I can say, is live life as well as you can when you can.  Do your best to 'be in the moment' with your children especially and do your best to make sure you don't have any regrets once they are grown and you may have 'missed moments' with and for them. 

I love mom, Patti (mom). Grandma Jackie and all the moms who did and do the most and best that they can for me and our family.  You are all so special and important to me and the boys :)

While I was there I went through some of Grandma's photo books and took some pictures of the pictures that she had there... I'll do my best to recant what she told me...

Here is a picture of Erik and his cousins (brothers): Ricky and Michael.  Still very good friends to this day - Erik said his favorite memories of going to spend a week or so with his Grandma Jackie was because he got to spend some fun and unfortgettable memories with his cousins.

Erik's Great-Grandmother... I believe her name is Evelyn? ... eek... anyways - he said she was the best.  A sweet older happy lady.  love it.

So Erik was born in Nome, Alaska where his mom, 'Peppermint Patty' lived for a few years.  She came home to the Seattle area from Nome with Erik when he was a young toddler.  Here is a picture of her brother and Erik's Uncle Scott and her mother, Grandma Jackie.  Erik thinks Uncle Scott might have only been 17 years or so old here.... crazy eh!? :)

Here is a video of us... visiting Grandma Jackies current horse stable... she has a minurature horse "Nipper" that we go and visit when we see Grandma and Granpa.  The film is a bit dark, but oh well :)