71 Toes: groups, grammie camps and grandfather wonder

My parents kind of started dividing the grandkids up into "groups" from the start.

Not to separate them from one another, but to make them feel extra special and do things with them on a smaller-scale basis.

I wrote a bunch about that back HERE and HERE and there's a little bit about "Grandfather's Secrets" HERE.

Here's group #1:

Group #4:

(my brother took turns taking the "groups" off on their own dinners this year...they were in Heaven about that little fact)

Group #5 is also referred to as "the Princesses":

Group #3 is referred to as "The Babes."

They even made their own "mural" for that this year.

(not sure who that little girl is in there)

My Mom does "Grammie Camps" with each group each year.

She teaches them about ancestors:

And teaches them all about art and music.

This year she sent them CDs before the reunion to they could get a feel for the music and during their Grammie Camps some of them painted what they heard in the music.

Pretty beautiful pieces if you ask me.

I don't get to be there for those camps so I don't have them well-covered in pictures but I LOVE that my Mom wrote all about them in her blog over HERE (group #4) and the Babes and Princesses camp is HERE.

When each group reaches a certain age my Dad makes "treasure chests" with them.

It was these boys' turn this year.

They were pretty darn excited about that.

So grateful Lucy has these sweet "forever friends."

When each group reaches age 12 they get to go on a "motor home" trip with Grammie and Grandfather.

Grace was waiting with baited breath for her turn this year.

They stopped by to see my dear Grandma who cannot remember their names any more.

I'm so grateful they could spend some extra time with her.

Group #1 went to Yellowstone years ago for their motorhome trip.

Group #2 somehow cajoled my parents into having Lagoon be the destination of their trip this year.

Wow.

My Mom also wrote all about that with a lot more pictures over HERE.

Just so grateful for all the extra love my kids get at that gorgeous lake.

One day they will begin to comprehend how lucky they are.

For now, their smiles show that it is seeping in.

Thanks Mom and Dad!!