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Summer Highlights

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My summer has been delightful. In many ways.

First of all, as much as I have enjoyed the years of cooking for the airport crew, this summer was wide open to enjoy the great outdoors, family and friends.

When I rewind the months and play it all over again, I see sunshine, water, golf, babies, weddings, airplane rides, birthday parties, shopping, walks, cabins, decks, mountains, etc.

All of those were wonderful, but I have to say nothing beats:

sweetly dimpled newborn coos and snuggles

a one-year-old smile that goes on forever, framed by the cutest pigtails

fantastic wit and three-year-old wonder

tender ten-year-old conversations, “gramma, does puberty hurt?”

sincere twelve-year-old consideration, “is there anything I can help you with?”

loving fourteen-year-old arms that held me as I visited my father’s grave

Those are my summer highlights.

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twins

Twins. Adorable. Exciting. Wonderful.

Tiring.

I heartily applaud all you Moms out there who raise twins. I don’t know how you do it.

Twins have been on my mind more often lately, because my nephew and his wife are expecting two babies in December. Our family is very excited about this upcoming event, and if you had to pick a couple to raise twins, Cody and Tenay would be high on the list.

The twins I’ve photographed in the past are busy little men, absolutely adorable, with two older beautiful sisters, a loving, providing Dad, and “SuperMom”. Along side raising four lovely children, and looking fabulous herself, she has found time to be an inventor, and all that goes along with selling her idea and product – successfully. Check it out – Today’s Steal: Squishy Snak Pak 4-Pack 40% off – The easy, reusable, and clean way to feed wholesome foods to your little one. http://ow.ly/nfAVj

Today I have the privilege of travelling to another town, and photographing a newborn whose twin brothers are two years old. The Mom to these three is an old friend I haven’t seen for many years. I look forward to our time together, and I am positive that I will come away full of smiles from holding another sweet newborn, a few chuckles from the antics of the twins, but mostly with renewed wonder at the strength and devotion of another amazing Mom.

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Tough Little Boys

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Today is Dustin’s birthday. Today he is my grandson’s father, my daughter’s husband, my one and only son-in-law. “Yesterday” he was a cute little boy in our small town.

Time flies. Life changes. People you knew of, become people you love. That is you Dustin.

Although you have always been a gentle soul, the following words seem to fit this sweet picture (taken by your wife) of you and little Leon. (Apologies to Gary Allan for slightly changing a few gender words in the last  two verses.)

Happy Birthday Dustin.

Well I never once
Backed down from a punch
Well I’d take it square on the chin
Well I found out fast
A bully’s just that
You’ve got to stand up to him
So I didn’t cry when I got a black eye
As bad as it hurt, I just grinned
But when tough little boys grow up to be dads
They turn into big babies again.

Scared me to death
When you took your first steps
And I’d fall everytime you fell down
Your first day of school, I cried like a fool
And I followed your school bus to town
Well I didn’t cry, when Old Yeller died
At least not in front of my friends
But when tough little boys grow up to be dads
They turn into big babies againWell I’m a grown man

And as strong as I am
Sometimes its hard to believe
That my little son, not even one
Could totally terrify me
If you were to ask
My wife would just laugh
She’d say “I know all about men
How when tough little boys grow up to be dads
They turn into big babies again

Well I know one day, you’ll move you away
And I’m gonna stand there and smile
But when I’m home, and I’m all alone
Well, I’ll sit in your room for a while
Well I didn’t cry when Old Yeller died
At least not in front of my friends
But when tough little boys grow up to be dads
They turn into big babies again
When tough little boys grow up to be dads
They turn into big babies again.

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So Humble

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Yesterday my son brought our three oldest grand kids to the airport to spend the afternoon with us. Grandpa treated them each to very thrilling airplane rides, which they were quite enthusiastic about in the retelling! Later we went mini golfing and then out for supper.

We dined at the local A&W, and once we had our order, discovered that two drinks were missing. Grandpa Lloyd dug in his pocket to pull out more change to pay for the missing drinks, but my son beat him to it.

Ten year old Toby put his hand out pretending to take Grandpa’s money for himself. So Grandpa went along and pretended to put the coins in Toby’s hand.

Toby laughed and said, “I’m just kidding. You don’t have to give me the money.” So Grandpa put the money back in his pocket.

Toby frowned through his grin and teased, “Hey, you were supposed to give me more since I was being so humble!”

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Daily Routine

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Two year old Eli’s tummy was rumbling, as his family drove home from a Sunday outing.
Suddenly he piped up , “Da, E (the name he calls himself) got animals in bum.” 
Jord and Melissa looked at each other, frowned in confusion and asked him to repeat his statement. Which he did. Exactly as the first time.
Jord said, “Ok, well, we will see if we can get them out when we get home.”
Eli was fine with that. He matter of factly agreed, “Yep, get out animals, brush teeth and go to bed.” Just part of his daily routine!!
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My Dad was born in 1926 – the same year Queen Elizabeth made her entrance into the world. Dad used to impress us by saying (with a twinkle in his eyes) that he went to different schools together with the Queen.

We thought that made him very special.

Today the thought occurred to me that his little namesake, Leon Gordon, will be able to carry on with that mischievous statement, given yesterday’s birth of England’s future King!

Dad, even though I can no longer see you, your quirky humour continues to make me smile. Thank you.