Melanie & Braden

Melanie & Braden, Wyatt and Savanna

Dear Grandma & Grandpa,

We are so excited to celebrate these wonderful 90 years of your lives.  You are two of the most amazing people that I know, and I am more than proud to call you my Grandma and Grandpa.  You are both such loving examples for all of us, and we want you to know how much you have impacted our lives!

I have so many loving memories of you both growing up.  Because we lived so far, we didn’t get to see you as much as we would have liked, but it didn’t matter because the time we did get to spend with you, we cherished.  We loved all of our trips to Idaho.  For some reason, I thought it was great that you lived on H Street. When we got to your house we were always met with lots of hugs and treats.  We always had to be measured on Grandpa’s shirt buttons, and also marked our height in the hall closet.  Not to mention we had to see if our arms grew with our hugs around Grandpas neck.  I remember it being a big deal when you were finally big enough that you could touch your elbows.  The hug always had to be tight enough to make Grandpa squeal.  Grandma always had lots of treats, and lots of loves.  I remember crawling up on Grandma’s lap for lots of stories. Grandma your voice has always been sweet just like you!

Grandma and Grandpa’s house was always a place where we were allowed to have lots of fun with cousins.  We had so much fun playing in/destroying the basement.  I loved the Barbie house because it had so many rooms. I loved when the older cousins would come and play the piano while we sang and danced. We also had lots of fun sliding down your long stairs. When we were too crazy to be inside the house we could always find something fun to do in your huge back yard.  So many fun times have been made in your home!

Thanksgiving is probably one of my favorite memories.  After lots of good food, and lots of fun company, we all took a good nap, or we could always search through Grandmas extensive collection of video tapes to find just about any movie we wanted to watch.  I remember Grandma always recorded them off the TV.  The Friday after Thanksgiving, we all went to town for the festival and SANTA turning on the lights.  It was such a fond memory that I insisted that Wyatt had that same memory.  He was not disappointed.  What little boy doesn’t love Santa riding around town on a fire truck and turning on Christmas Lights.  Perfect!

I always appreciated the long trips that you made to support all of us in our accomplishments.  It was always a big deal that you would make that drive to share special days with us.  As an added bonus to your trip to see us, you always got the motel with a pool so we could come swim.  You are both always thinking of others!

Now as an adult, I realize how much I appreciate that you made your home one of love.  My mom loved growing up there, and was able to recreate that love in our home growing up.  I loved that she looked forward to her trips home so much!  I remember listening to her sisters laughing at the tables for hours when we got in.   They all have the same cackle laugh.  You raised your children in love and righteousness, and that is something they passed on in their homes, and something I hope I am doing in mine.

We love you more than words can say, and we are so grateful we get to celebrate both of you.  Thank you for being you—the best Grandparents we could ask for!  We love you!

XOXO

Melanie, Braden, Wyatt & Savanna