The Pattons

During our trip to California, we took a day and went up to visit my grandparents in Sacramento. My grandparents are some of the nicest people you will ever meet. They always make me feel special and loved. For example, when we arrived my grandma had a plate of doughnuts and some fruit out for us to eat. This reminded me of when I was little. My grandpa would always go out and get doughnuts for breakfast the first morning of our visit. This was something we always looked forward to as he has lots of yummy doughnut shops near his house. Plus, the fact that he would do something like that just for us made us feel special. It wasn't a big deal but it meant a lot of us. So despite the fact the we had already had breakfast (Cinnabon in the airport) I managed to make some room in my stomach for old time's sake, and for a really good cruller.

My Auntie Karen came over and while she fixed us a healthy lunch we had a great time talking and laughing and just being together. We definitely don't get to do that often enough. My kids had a great time exploring a new place. It was fun to watch them play and enjoy some of the same things I loved as a kid, like my grandparent's great big backyard, perfect for running around. My grandparents also have lots of yummy treats around their house. My kids were delighted to find little dishes full of candy everywhere. I was pretty pleased too. Let's just say my grandma probably had to refill all of her candy dishes after we left.

Lunch was delicious. My aunt is one seriously good cook. She took a healthy recipe she found in a magazine that she had never made before and knocked it out of the park. I think this meal made it easier that day for my grandpa to eat healthier for his heart. For lunch, my grandma got out her nice dishes and silverware for us to eat on, once again letting us know how much our visit meant to her. I felt a little stab in my heart that we couldn't stay longer, one of many pangs I would feel that afternoon. In some ways, I wished I had never had to grow up and could visit my grandparents every summer like I always did, that nothing would ever change. But then I'd look at my beautiful kids and sweet husband and know that while the change is painful, it's worth it. It was a bittersweet day but I treasured every minute of it. I enjoyed seeing my grandparents and my aunt and watching them have fun with my kids. In fact, we were too busy enjoying each other's company to take pictures until right before we left. But I think we got some good ones.