Grandpa Man

Here's a post about a visit from one of our favorite people! This is Ben's grandfather on his mom's side, who we all lovingly call "Grandpa Man." I asked Ben where the name came from and he's not sure.  I guess that's what makes a really good nickname.

Grandpa Man lives in Arizona now but he has deep roots in northern Idaho. So every year around Labor Day he stops in to visit our family on his way to Spirit Lake. We were worried he wouldn't make it this year because his wife Georgia isn't feeling well - but she insisted he make his yearly trek, and up he came! We're so happy he did.

The kids are drawn to Grandpa Man. He just has a way of blending in with what we're doing and making it ten times happier.  He arrived on a Friday morning while I had the boys cleaning out the chicken coop. I was a little embarrassed, but Grandpa Man joined right in. He told stories about his coop-cleaning days and showed the boys the right way to use a shovel (I was holding the baby) and then he even took care of Josh for awhile so I could help the boys finish quickly. Instead of feeling like a frazzled, failed hostess I felt like we had a good bonding experience together. (In fact, it reminds me of a couple years ago when he arrived just in time to help me dig the carrots. Working together is often just as memorable as playing together.)

We also had plenty of time to play though. He humored Nicole by crocheting with her little hand loom. He listened to the kids' stories and shared his own. We had a simple lunch and then after naps we took the kids swimming.  He even took us out for ice cream! Ben met up with us after work and then we shared some more stories and went to a family barbecue at my parents' house.

Even little Joshie loves being around Grandpa Man. I'm sure it is his happy demeanor. He also thinks all his gadgets are pretty neat.

Of course we had to get the family shot.  We love that Grandpa Man has been able to visit every year and see each of our kids as new babies - and as they grow.  That's what I love about family.

Grandpa Man also insisted on taking a picture with me in it.  He said that very few of his early photos have his mother in it. I love hearing about his mother, Sadie. She sounds like she was an amazing person. (Josh was going to be named "Sadie" but he ended up being the wrong gender. Haha.)

Grandpa Man tells the BEST stories.  I don't think he's forgotten a single detail his entire life. And he's had quite the life. Even the hardest personal stories that he shares manage to come out with an edge of humor or a way of looking on the bright side. He has a passion for life that is inspiring.  Ben and I agree that we would never get tired of hearing Grandpa Man's stories.

Oh, and I can't forget to mention that Grandpa Man has the coolest birthday ever! It's the same as mine. And his mother has the same birthday as Ben. Neat!
 

But alas, it came time for Grandpa Man to leave. There were hugs all around.

And more hugs. Greg took another turn in between each of the other kids.

Here's Grandpa Man's rig. As long as it keeps running strong, Grandpa Man will keep coming to visit. (Or maybe one of these years he'll just ride his bike up here. He still rides it four miles every day.)

Grandpa Man had to get to Spirit Lake by Labor Day so he could be the featured fiddler at the city celebrations. Talented fellow, isn't he?  (They refer to him as Sam Brown, though, not Grandpa Man. Emmett Samuel Ole Brown, for short.)

Thanks for visiting us, Grandpa Man!  We enjoy your visits, your emails, and all the love that you send our way. We're already looking forward to next year's visit.