weekend in Arizona

This last weekend, Matt and I drove to Arizona to meet up with my family and visit my grandpa and his wife June.  We packed up our CRV on Thursday night, met up with my brother Andy, and caravanned across the desert through the night.  We safety arrived in Arizona (thank God!!) and got to bed at 3:30 am.  We decided that our bodies just aren't cut out for late nighters!!

We met up with my parents the next day and spent the rest of the weekend with my grandpa and his wife, June.  It was a really special time to all be together.  This time felt extra special because my grandpa is my last grandparent alive.

Wow...that was hard to write.  My dear sweet grandma passed away last year.  These past few months I've really been struggling with this realization.  She was sooo incredibly special to me.  When she knew I was missing her, she took an extra interest in me and would fly me to Wisconsin to visit her every summer.  These are some of my very favorite memories of childhood.  I can still smell her wonderful smell (Grandma, I promise it's a good smell!!), see her smile, hear her laugh, and feel her hug.  Oh I miss her so.

And as I miss her, I think back on this weekend and know how special it was to be able to sit across from my only grandparent, Jonathan's great-grandpa, and hear him chuckle, and see him soak us all in.  I'm thankful for this weekend.

Here is a four generation picture:

Have a happy Tuesday!

Ellie :)