The Greats

Today I want to highlight my grandparents - the Greats. They acquired their nickname after Tyler was born. It seemed so cumbersome to say we are going to great-grandma and great-grandpa's house. So, we shortened it to the Greats. The name stuck. Tyler even calls my grandma, Greatsie (Greatsie Marie Climber when he tries to use her full name).

My grandparents are a huge part of our lives - they are so special to each one of us. I spent much of my childhood with them. I was lucky to have my grandma be my daycare provider and I remember many Friday night shopping trips to "Hollibees". I would shop with Grandma and then Grandpa would have coffee and get me an ice cream cone. I have also been to Florida and California with them. Each trip is full of memories including picking an orange in Florida, and touching ocean water for the first time in California.

When Jon and I met, my grandparents treated him just like another grandson. And, he truly thinks of them as one of his grandparents. It was because of my grandparents that Jon proposed when he did. And, we are honored to share a wedding anniversary with them (with 51 years between).

I am so glad that both Tyler and Sophie have been able to know both great-grandma and great-grandpa (we weren't so fortunate to have them know most of Jon's grandparents). We enjoy the time that we share together. We have dinner almost weekly and talk daily - and find any reason to go visit. We have spent time at the hospital when one of them is 'under the weather' and we visit dialysis when we can (and Tyler even has friends there; thanks Howards). There have been trips to go feed the ducks and play at the park, and Tyler's favorite - having them over for dinner. This weekend will be lucky to see them both Saturday and Sunday (though, we did miss our Friday night dinner), and Tyler and Sophie couldn't be more excited.

Thanks for making such wonderful memories with us.

We love you very much Greatsie and Great-Grandpa!!