now & then...

Emerson has visited TN four times now. The first was about a month before my Grandpa passed away. I have so many sweet memories from that trip. The way my Grandpa interacted with Emerson was priceless and I'll never forget how he called Emerson a miracle...this from a man that delivered many hundreds of babies during his career. He never lost the awe of new life. I sure miss him!

Elijah and I took EJ back to TN just before his first birthday. Then two years ago, My mom and I drove back to TN with three kiddos. This June my mom and I were able to fly (because of the kindness of dear family) with all FOUR kids. I had fun looking back at pictures from our last 3 trips. We did a lot of the same things each time. Such great memories. So, I put together some collages comparing kids and the "now and then". Enjoy!

EJ is on the left here with Oliver on the right. E was 11 months old and O was 13 months.

 This wooden swing has been around since my Grandma was a little girl. It is in her front yard. EJ to the left and O on the right.

The kids and me with Grammy Honey at the carousel...then and now.

I guess we started EJ young on frogs! He chose the frog this year and it wasn't until I looked back at the pics that I realized his first ride was on the same frog!

EJ, Then and now at Clumpies....YUM!

We visited the children's museum two years ago and again this June. Tilly danced her little heart out for a loooooong time. It was fun to look back and see she also enjoyed the stage at 15 months old.

Here's a fun one! Can you tell who is who? :-) The left side is from 2011. EJ and TIlly on the top and Tilly on the bottom. On the right is from June. Tilly and Oliver on the top and Oliver on the bottom. I was really struck here by how much Tilly and Oliver resemble each other at similar ages! Oh, how they LOVED the water play area at the children's museum. This time, Grammy Honey felt well enough to join us. I'm not sure who had more fun...but it just might have been my Grandma. The delight on her face was radiant as she watched her great grands play.

 I still have fun TN pictures to share....that will be another post.