Jacob is coming for a visit!

Yippee!

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Jacob, click here to see Santa! He looks very familiar. I just can't seem to place him.

Christmas 2008

Jacob, when you grow up, you will probably remember that Herman and Bonnie lived with her dad for awhile. You'll remember that you came to visit, and that you and Herman had grand days while fishing, catching minnows, and just mucking around the creek while doing whatever felt good.

You may or may not remember that you used to come to our other house every Thursday from the time you were born till you were three years old. All of that happened before we moved in with my dad to take care of him. You loved playing with Herman every Thursday when you and your Mom and MaMaw came over for dinner. You looked forward to all the things the two of you did together. Every birthday, every season, and every holiday brought something fun to do. Much of it has been recorded on this site.

One of our biggest concerns when we moved away from our house was the possibility that you could forget us, but that didn't happen. I'm not sure if Herman could have withstood the loss if you had forgotten him. Instead of forgetting him, a page was turned and a whole new chapter in your relationship began. I don't think you'll ever forget fishing in the creek that I grew up on, or the days of hanging out with your buddy, Herman, or the swing he made for you by throwing a rope over a giant cedar tree in our front yard. You didn't like it when we moved from our other house, but you soon found that there were fun things to do at this new place.

Thursday was Christmas. We went up to our old house on Friday and your mom and ma maw brought you over to visit with us. We had our own little celebration the day after Christmas, and you got to play with our granddaughter, Ava, and you got to meet Shay.

You and Ava chased each other around and around. I don't know how the two of you had the energy, but you both proved to be tireless. The two of you rode on Brandon's back. You wrestled together and you were uncharacteristically gentle, never using your full strength with Ava. You and Herman picked apart Owl shit or regurgitation (i'm not sure which) with tweezers, looking for the bones of small animals, and you found them. We were assured by your mom that it was quite educational, but I noticed that she wouldn't go anywhere near it. She left that up to Herman. You seemed quite interested in it. Of course, Herman is interested in whatever you're interested in, so he enjoyed pulling the poop (it really looked like poop) apart for you.

It was a great night. As they say, fun was had by all. You are a wonderful part of our life, Jacob. You hold a unique place in our hearts, and that will never change.

Merry Christmas, Jacob.

P.S. Take note of the expression on your mother's face when she is looking at the owl shit. I don't think she would make a very good nurse. Just sayin'.

Friends

A Wild Ride On Brandon's Back

Ava copied everything you did or said because you're a big kid.

Wrestling, there was a lot of wrestling!



You had hugs for Shay!

You were big enough to lift Ava off the floor!

MaMaw and Shay have a moment!

You showed us your muscles!

Singlehandedly bringing back disco!

Enough Said!

And there you all are, looking for bones in the owl yuck.

Ava, Madina, Shay, Brandon

A Rose Between Two Thorns

More horseback riding.

Ava and Jacob playing

Mom and Ava in a quiet moment.

Jacob, Ava, Herman and Mom looking at Owl Yuck!

MaMaw and Shay

Boys and Big Machinery

Some boys from the neighborhood showed up and started climbing on the big equipment the City is using to raise the road. Jacob joined in as if he'd known them their entire lives.

Bek and Jacob's Snowshoe Trip

I have no names for these lovely little girls. I know Patsy gave them to me while we were talking on the phone. Herman wrote them down, but now we can't find the obscure scrap of paper on which he wrote them. Bek or Patsy, please, leave the info. in the comment option. Thanks. I think the mommy is Amy and one of the little girls is Emma. Just a guess.

Arrival!
We're staying here.The view!The lodge?We're posing now, in our snowsuits, to demonstrate how cute we really are, and that we're ready for SNOW.
Don't mind me. I think I'll just lie here for awhile.Ready for fun!This picture is the definition of precious. Could it be any cuter? NO!



Two pretty girls about to hit the slopes.
Two even prettier girls about to hit the slopes. Which one is in pink and which one is in blue? Somebody tell me.
Two pretty girls at the end of a long day on the slopes, looking for men. Where are the kids, you may well ask? They drugged them and left them snoozing, unattended, in the cabin while they lasciviously trolled the lodge. You have to admit, they are extra-special cute in this photo.

Mom and The Man (my personal favorite)

End Of Summer Fun

Patsy and Bek and Jacob came down for the day. Jacob wasn't in the house five minutes before he found my glasses and did a little mugging for the camera. Well, actually, maybe it was Herman that did the mugging.

Herman and Jacob stayed home with Dad while Patsy, Bek and I went to lunch at Panera's. It's next door to Ben and Jerry's but we just passed them by without a second look, and headed for my favorite thrift shop. After the thrift shop, we rounded out the day with the Dollar Tree. Bek filled her basket with all manner of things, while Patsy and I showed discretion, only making the most discerning choices.


We then took the back roads home, along the James River. When we arrived home we were surprised to find that Jacob was neither bleeding nor vomiting like the last two times Bek left him with Herman.

Herman and Jacob then went down to the pier at Deep Creek. After returning home they found some of the best fun a boy can possibly find on a hot August day...... a hose and a nozzle are objects of endless joy.







One of the greatest lessons of life....simple pleasures are always the best. This turned out to be one of the best days of my summer.