Monday, August 11, 2008

A Weekend with Papa Calvin

Papa Calvin came to Indiana to visit with my parents for a week, so we went up this last weekend and spent more time with family. Papa Calvin is a preacher in Eden, NC. My parents were members of his church while they lived there, and my dad made the decision to go into the ministry under the guidance of Papa Calvin. All of my grandparents had passed away by the time I was six years old, so Papa Calvin was, what I call, "my adopted grandpa." I have many special memories with Papa Calvin. One memory I have is that he taught me how to drive when he was out here for a visit. He'll never forget that either. Papa Calvin usually visits once a year, and many times, he's able to make it out to Indiana twice a year. We had a great time visiting with him.

On Saturday, Papa Calvin took us all out to eat. We ate at Hollyhock Hill Restaurant in Indianapolis. It's a family style restaurant and is a great place for you to have an enjoyable meal with a large group. After dinner, we went back to my brother and sister-in-law's house in Carmel to visit. The girls had a great time playing with their cousins. They always have a great time with them. Elaina usually laughs and giggles the entire time they're together.

On Sunday, we went to church at my dad's church and played in the afternoon. I took the girls for a ride on the riding lawnmower, and we played at the playground. We always eat way too much food when we're at MeMe and Poppy's house! It was so yummy.

There is a lot of property where we grew up. The house I grew up in, where my mom and dad still live, and the church are both on the property. My dad has planted a tree for each of the grandkids after they have been born. Emily and Elaina both have a Japanese Crab apple tree. My dad planted them in front of the wooden cross on the front of the church. He hopes when they grow that they will frame the wooden cross. I'm sure that they will be beautiful. Those trees mean a lot to my dad, and it means even more that he was able to plant them on the property.

We wish we could have stayed longer, but we really needed to get home. Jeff went back to a regular full work schedule on Monday, and he has a lot to do. Also, we still haven't been home very long since we returned from vacation, and I have a lot of house things to catch up on. It's time to get back into a routine now that Daddy's back to work. It was a great summer! I'm sad that it's come to an end.

A baseball game with the kids

Crazy Cousins - Seth, Luke, and Elaina

Papa Calvin and his "adopted grandkids" and Jeff to help keep them all in the picture. (Unfortunately, Shelbi wasn't there.)

Baby Thad

Emily playing at MeMe and Poppy's

Elaina singing and dancing on the stage at the playground at MeMe and Poppy's church.

MeMe and Poppy have the BEST playground!

Elaina picking a tomato for Mommy from Poppy's tomato garden.

Poppy, Elaina, and Elaina's tree

Poppy, Emily, and Emily's tree

The girls and their trees in front of Poppy's church.

2 comments:

The Knight Family said...

This is so sweet! I love the trees that will hopefully one day frame the cross on the church...how special :) I'm sure you guys are a little sad to see Jeff go back to school.

Crazy Mom of 3 said...

I am glad that you guys had such a great time!! I know it is sad it is the end of summer, but at least you got to end it with some great family time!!!