Visitng Grandpa Cordray

Grandpa (Paul) Cordray is the last grandparent alive for both Steve and I. Grandpa lives in Marceline, Missouri. He has lived there for 25 years in the same house. Grandma Cordray died in October of 2004. Grandpa Cordray has lived alone since then and is ready to be moved to a nursing care facility. We decided to make a weekend trip to see Grandpa this August, before Tyler started school. We stayed the night in KC Friday night and then Sat. drove to Marcelline, MO. It was suppose to take 2 hours to get there, but with road construction it took us a good 3 hours. When we got to Grandpa's, we went to Sonic to get the kids some lunch and then took Grandpa and the kids to the park. Grandpa had so much fun watching the 3 kids run around.

Steve and his grandpa at the picnic table!

Grandpa and the 3 kids. He just loved holding little Paige. The kids were SO cute. The minute we walked into grandpa's house, they started calling him, "Papa" and never quit. Jaden and Paige had never met Grandpa Cordray before, but you would have thought they saw him on a regular basis. Jaden was actually named after Grandpa Cordray-- Jaden Paul Roth.

Now, tell me he doesn't look relaxed. I think Grandpa liked the park.

Of course the kids loved playing at the park. You can't tell from this picture, but the kids were fairly high on this climbing thing. So, I would step back, take their picture and then put my hand out to make sure Paige didn't let go and fall off. Then, I'd take another picture, run back to the equipment. But, it actually turned out pretty cute.

After eating lunch and playing at the park for a few hours, we headed back to Grandpa's house and then back in the car to KC. We ate dinner at Rainforest Cafe and that was fun and we shopped at the Children's place outlet (where I got the major bargains!). The kids had a great weekend and Grandpa had a fun Saturday afternoon. Steve and I....well, we can't wait until the kids are older :) Traveling, missing naps, eating out all our meals, hotel sleeping with 3 kids, ..... But, the kids had fun---so it was worth it!!