Tyler's Visit...

Our oldest child, Nissa, wanted to visit her Grampa really bad. She and Todd found a weekend to make a very quick visit to see him. They drove down on Saturday, June 23rd and would return home Monday, June 25th. 

Saturday Claude smoked a brisket. This has become tradition when the kids or grandmonsters come to visit. Claude will smoke a brisket. We've taken to doing it the first evening meal when they come so that the remainder can be nice sandwiches while they visit. Nissa sent Claude a new type of rub for Father's Day which she gets from the Amish store near them in Michigan. He used it on the brisket and it was just yummy. 

It was so nice to sit and visit the evening away with Nissa and Todd. There is something wonderful that happens when your kids get to the empty-nester stage and you just sit and visit with all adults. It take a few years to get to that point but it is truly a blessing for years of parenting. We do enjoy these times with Nissa and Todd.

Sunday we brought Papa out for lunch and a visit. It was very good for him to have that time and for Nissa to make that time for him. She greeted him at the nursing home with a big hug and nose sugar. Papa always did what he called 'Eskimo kisses' with us as children, then with his grandkids. This is simply rubbing noses together. So after her big hug, she took his face in her hands and gave him Eskimo kisses. He was so happy she remembered this little thing. It is truly the little things that can make a huge difference in this life.

I got this happy picture of the two of them after lunch. 

While Nissa and Todd were visiting, she received pictures of her grandchildren, our great-grandmonsters, Nelson and Raelyn. What fun to watch her enjoy being a Gramma.  

I had a star that we gave Papa for a present. On our drives, Papa was observing all the stars that people hang to decorate their homes. He kept thinking they were Star of David. I assured him they were not and researched to learn they come from the Amish tradition of hanging a star after building a home to show friendship and welcome. With Papa's fascination, we thought he might enjoy a star in his living room. Now that he is not in the apartment, I had his star at our home in my sewing room. I asked Nissa and Todd if they might like it for their new home. Todd knew the perfect spot. They took that and a piece of scherenschnitte that my Mother made for me many years ago for a gift. This is an art form where you use tiny scissors and cut out a picture from paper. Happy to have these two treasures have homes where they will be enjoyed. Todd sent me these pictures Monday after they got home. Didn't take them long to hang that star up, did it? 

Sunday evening we looked through the pictures of our Baltic Sea Cruise. Lots of pictures and lots of memories each time we go through them.

So grateful for family time. We will cheerfully take each moment as it comes. Thank you Nissa and Todd for making such a long drive and for such a warm visit.