Melissa made this super cute sweater and hat for Claire. I love the little pom-pom on the top of the hat.
Melissa put Claire's hair in a pony tail. Gosh it was so cute.
Sweet Annie Grassmick.
Claire just loves to play with the Grassmick kiddos.
Jonathan manages a 7000 acre ranch in Middle of Nowhere, NM. :) When Bradley and I first went to visit in 2006, there was nothing there. Even Melissa and Jonathan lived down the highway from the ranch. But, now, Melissa and Jonathan live in a home just adjacent to the ranch and the company has built a ton of stuff there. There is a home (for the ranch owners) an office building, a bridge, a stable and much, much more. This is a picture of Claire and I at the river.
Claire and I on the bridge. It totally wasn't there in 2006! To get to the other side of the river, they used to have to just drive across a low spot.
We went to visit Jonathan in the office while we were there and there was a super fun Gator-like vehicle there. All the kids wanted to play on it.
Claire absolutely loved Jonathan.
Johnny and I are thowing the football in the shop.
Claire and Melissa.
When we were driving around on the ranch, we let the kids ride unbuckled. On the way back to the house, Melissa held Claire in her lap. Claire had so, so much fun "driving". But got distracted easily...she started to lick the steering wheel...nice.
Can I get a Grassmick to smile?? Thank you, Emma.
Can't figure out how to rotate these pics...
Melissa and Jonathan and family built a chicken coop. They go out and get fresh eggs every day.
Johnny's about to check for some eggs...
"There are TWO!!"
Johnny was so sweet with Claire. Well, all of the Grassmicks were. I was amazed at how at just 4 years old, he knew how to keep her safe from harm while she crawled around on the floor. I guess that's what you can expect from a child with 2 younger siblings.
While we were there Melissa and the kids made a Thanksgiving Tree and we all took turns each night sharing something that we were thankful for. One night, Jonathan got out his guitar and we sang praise and worship songs.
Melissa with Anderson and Claire.
Thanksgiving Tree!! (Sorry, can't rotate it)
Just 2 short weeks after we were in NM, we were ALL in TX visiting family for Thanksgiving. The Grassmick family came to Ft. Worth to play and visit one day. We took my parents Gator out for a drive in the cow pasture. I've never seen so many smiles from kids before. We all had a blast. Oh, and thank you Melissa for getting a pic where my hair looks like I just got out of a wind tunnel. :)
Jonathan loving some time with Claire.
My parents have a swing set/jungle gym and the Grassmicks had no problem knowing what to do with that! Bradley's helping Annie get across the rings.
My parents have lots of fun outdoor toys. Anderson "drove" this car.
We may not get to see each other very often. Since college we've all moved out of TX. But, when we DO get together, we easily pick up where we left off. I have NO other friendship like it. One thing that I realized while I was with them was how amazing it is that you can love your friend's kids, even when you hardly know them, just because they are your friend's kids. One day I heard Melissa tell Claire that she loved her and I teared up as I came to that realization. I truly, truly love her kids and I know she loves mine...and that's because we love each other. We go weeks, sometimes months without corresponding with each other, but I know that no matter what, I'll always have her in my life. I have no one else in my life that can compare. Melissa, I love you and am so thankful for your friendship. Can't wait to see you again.
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