Visit with Grandpa...

We found ourselves in Utah this weekend and so we had the opportunity to visit with my Grandpa Jackman. We had a fabulous time. The kids were able to get Grandpa caught up on all their doings. We were also lucky enough to cross paths with Uncle Glen who was visiting at the same time.

Emma was her regular talkative self. She will tell anyone who listens all about her life. Sydney was her regular shy self, and wouldn't come out from behind the curtain until later in the visit. Aiden was his usual curious, mischievous self, and he kept trying to turn on Grandpa's electronic wheelchair and crash it into things. This was also Grandpa's first chance to see one of his newest great-grandchildren, Taylor.

Speaking of that wheelchair, it was the highlight of the visit. As we were getting ready to leave, Grandpa was off to physical therapy. He hopped (figuratively) into his wheelchair and offered the kids rides up and down the hallway. They could not get enough. Sydney decided that being shy just wasn't worth it anymore and jumped into his lap.

Unfortunately we had to end our visit once Grandpa made it to physical therapy. As my dad can testify, there are lots of things in the physical therapy wing that look suspiciously like toys. Big balls, colorful weights, stretchy elastic bands, huge mechanical contraptions that do who knows what. Aiden was so excited he just about had a nervous breakdown as he sprinted for large pile of exercise balls.

We left Grandpa to do some more of his daily work which involved assisted walking between parallel bars. Uncle Glen mentioned previously that Grandpa was making great progress and defying the odds. I think that is a surprise to absolutely no one.

I was worried that the kids were going to get bored with the visit, but after we left they commented without prompting how much fun they had, and they begged us to make sure we visited again the next time we are in Utah. We wouldn't miss it for the world.