My Chicago Grandsons/My Not Chicago Grandsons

This post is all about my three grandsons who lived in Chicago. Their daddy, our oldest son, Matt, just graduated with his MBA from the University of Chicago. WE ARE SO PROUD OF HIM!!! And his wife, Robyn, for supporting him and giving birth to Benjamin during the 2 1/2 years of schooling. They are now homeless. But Matt has started his new job in Little Rock Arkansas with Stephens. The home they have decided to rent will be available June 1st.
I went to Chicago to stay with the boys while Matt and Robyn went to Little Rock to search for a house. The first group of pictures will be from that trip.
Next will be pictures after moving from Chicago. Before Matt began his job, they decided to take a family vacation to Disney World. They invited me. I was thrilled to go, my first time in 24 years. Rhada, Garrett's wife, accompanied me. I had a "girl cousin reunion" scheduled for Sea Island the first part of the vacation dates. Since Rhada has not been able to work (still waiting on her Visa, which she had when she returned, or at least the working part of it) and I wanted to show her some pretty sites of the South, not to mention needing her to help me drive the older 2 boys home 10 hours from Orlando, she agreed to the journey.

Plans were for Robyn and the boys to come to Northport while Matt flew to Chicago to be there as the movers packed their apartment. Robyn flew to Birmingham with baby Ben. Matt drove the family van to Little Rock and began his job. They were all planning on being here for Easter but Robyn's grandmother had a fall and Robyn decided to go to her parents home early. Sad to say her grandmother did pass away 30 minutes after Robyn got to the hospital. But glad Robyn got there in time to say good-bye.

It was sad for us to say good-bye to these 3 wonderful grandsons so suddenly. They were on the plane within 4 hours of Robyn calling to tell me they were leaving. I had taken the older boys to the library and the office where I do much volunteer genealogy work. I had not even gotten out my big camera because I thought I had plenty of time. But I do have a few good pictures. Some of these are from Robyn's camera and some from my new Droid X, which I love.

 Nico and Ben liked to go to the indoor tot lot. This is a huge room in their apartment building where all the moms bring their little ones to play.

 Jacob went to school each day. One day I was able to stay and volunteer with his class. Everyone gathered around to hear Jacob read a "Flat Stanley" book. I heard one child ask, "Are you really reading that?" Jacob is a good reader and his teacher, Mrs. Laws, had high compliments for him.

Nico and Grandma Jan. We had lots of fun together when Ben was asleep and J was at school.

All three boys, Jacob, Ben and Nico.

 Nico loves to do puzzles. He has so much patience! 

Ben missed his mama. But he was so very good for Grandma Jan. He is a wonderful sleeper and feels so happy when he gets his rest!

This is Jacob and his friend. I got to walk to school every afternoon to walk them home. One day I walked them to school.

One night I got to take Jacob to basketball practice. He loves basketball. He made the final shot that won for his practice team. We ran all the way home. It was dark but we were not afraid.

ORLANDO

It was 24 years ago that we took our family to Disney World. We had a wonderful time staying with LeGrand's cousin, Kenny Hutchison. Kenny's wife, Suzie, washed all our homemade, matching clothes each night. Our 5 children ranged in age 9 years to 15 months old. I remember my mother wanted to keep baby Lance saying he would not remember it. But LeGrand would not let her saying he (LeGrand) would remember Lance not being there.

When we left I remember saying don't ask to return for another 5 years. I hate that we never took our family back.

Thank goodness I have children who want to take me now. Hopefully, I can help with the grandchildren and give some relief to the parents.

To my surprise, I still love roller coasters!!!!I had to remind myself I was there to see the grandchildren's joy and excitement. I was glad Jacob was tall enough to ride some of the roller coaster and yes, I did bribe him to ride them a second time. He loved playing a racing game on my cell phone.

I do believe everyone had a super time. Rhada was with us as we had just come from the Halpin Girl Cousin Reunion. One day she and I took in the Animal Planet without the others. I was glad that I had been jogging at home on the treadmill because it came in handy after "Finding Nemo" then loosing our way to the bus. Glad Rhada can run fast. We barely made it.

Rhada and I also got to drive Jacob and Nico the 10 hour drive to Tuscaloosa. The boys were little troopers. We visited with Grandma in Dothan and Aunt Rachel and Baby Hannah in Montgomery.

It was a bad storm (or so we thought at the time) day so mom Robyn, who had flown home with Baby Ben, watched the Internet to be sure our path was clear.

What a wonderful trip!

Rhada and I met Matt and his family at church. It was across the street from the Orlando Temple.

 Buzz Lightyear was a favorite!

Loud noises on the movie set!

 Rest in the playground. Dad don't shrink us!

 Matt on a roller coaster ride. Grandma found out she still loves roller coasters too!

 Wow! Did you see that stunt show!!!

No trip to Disney World is complete without ice cream!

 What do you think we are going to do today?

 Whatever it was, was really exhausting.

 But a little swim is so refreshing.

 Back to the Magic Kingdom, our favorite park.

 Matt and Robyn love a carousel!

 Ben likes looking back to see Mom and Dad.

 Rhada missed Garrett. She almost found a substitute.

 So much to see and do! 

 Go carts were a big hit!

 Come on Dad, we can do this!

 A visit with Great Grandma Hutchison in Dothan on the way home.

 Another stop in Montgomery to visit with Aunt Rachel and cousin Hannah.

 Watching a dvd at Grandma Jan's office.

Saying goodbye to Papa.

Snow and Grandma Hutchison come to Northport

It is 85 degrees in Northport now. Obviously it snowed a few weeks back. Grandma also came a few weeks back. Because it is so rare to have snow in Alabama and because I had so much fun in the snow and got some good pictures, I want to post about the snow. Because I love my mother-in-law and was sad she had a spell that sent her to the hospital January 30th and happy we had a room for her to come to our home to recuperate, and have some good pictures, I will post about her too.
The day we brought Grandma home was February 3rd. A large snow event was predicted. But we only got sleet and ice. Jefferson County schools, where Garrett teaches at Pinson, were closed for 4 days.

Grandma was pretty sick that first week. She was diagnosed with Vertigo. She would not like this picture but she did have her eyes opened most of the time. It was good to have Craig come to visit.

The next week, February 9th and 10th. We had a nice snow event. It was fun to play and look at but it did not ice the roads. My neighbor, Candace, owns the woods behind our house. She has obedient dogs that come when she calls (well, one). Ginger was able to run loose because I knew she would stay with Ella. She loved running with her friends through the snow covered woods and I loved walking with my friend. It was so refreshing!!!

Grandma looks out the front door to see the snow starting to stick.

I have the only sled in the neighborhood. I do believe this was the first time it has been used. I have had it over 10 years. I park it in the front yard for neighbors to use. I know at least 2 neighbors borrowed it. It does come in handy but I think they have new models today.

Ella, Candace and Michael.

 Brandon and Mr. Snowman.

 Mrs. Snowman...I mean, Grandma.

Jan and Ginger, alias Miss Houdini. 

Tribute to My Daddy

Life takes turns, sharp turns, unexpectedly. Daddy passed away January 26th.

I started writing some of my remembrances of the week leading up to his death but it turned into a book and is too personal to share. I love my Daddy and am so glad I was able to care for him his last 22 months. I am very thankful to LeGrand. He always loved my daddy and supported me bringing him into our home, turning our living room into a bed room. I am thankful for my brother and sisters for trusting me to care for him and for us being all together throughout Dad's last few days. I am thankful to Earl Collins and Cody Blowers, Dad's main care givers, who allowed me to get away from the house. I am thankful to my children for their understanding and patience with all the circumstances that arise when caring for an elderly parent.
And I am thankful for my mama for helping shape Daddy into the great man he was.