My Grandpa

I have only ever known one Grandpa in my life. My Grandpa Shumate. He was pretty much everything you think of in a Grandpa. Loving. Funny. Nice. Caring. Always letting you sit on his lap. He was the greatest. 

Some of my most favorite memories of my Grandpa are of things like how he always, and I do mean ALWAYS had a fridge in his garage fully stocked with Root Beer and Welches Grape Soda just for his grandkids. Or when I was younger, I remember going on walks around the block with him and he always had LifeSaver mints in his pocket that he would share with me as we walked. Or how he always would help us fill up a bucket of birdseed and we got to go help him throw the birdseed all around his yard, and we would see all kinds of birds, like road runners, or jack rabbits coming to eat. We would often go and help him pick lemons, oranges, and tangerines from his trees in his backyard. And how sometimes, as we were getting packed up and ready to leave his house, he would pull me aside in his garage or somewhere out of sight, and slip me some money for things he had heard me talk about wanting... like games, CD's, movies, or books. He would always slip me the money very slyly and whisper "Don't tell Grandma!" and then smile and give me a hug. 

He was constantly helping anyone and every one he could see weather be family, friends, or neighbors. He was never ever mad. He was always happy. He loved to tell cheesy little jokes. And no matter what time of day you arrived at his house, he was there waiting to feed you, or give you anything else you may need upon arrival. He was such a generous man. And he genuinely loved his family.

(Photo of Grandpa when he came home from World War II in June of 1946)

He was born in Oklahoma on August 4, 1920. He served in World War II, and was overseas when my Dad was born. He didn't even see my dad until he was about 18 months old.  He worked for 30+ years for the U.S. Forest Service. Recently, my Grandma told us that while they were married they moved 42 times! He met my Grandma when she was just 14 years old and he was 17 while they were learning Archery. They married 20 days after Pearl Harbor was attacked. As I was recently looking at old picture of my grandparents, I saw several of them together and in every one, he had his arm around my Grandma. When I told my Grandma that I thought that it was so cute how he put his arm around her in every picture, she just smiled and said, "Oh yes, always".

He died on December 17, 2011... 10 days shy of his 70th wedding anniversary.

He is survived by his wife, 2 sons and their wives, 7 grandkids, and 20 (almost 21) great grand kids.

His sweet smiling face will be missed at all our future family events, but I am so glad I had the opportunity to have him as my Grandpa.

Mardi Gras!

A few weeks ago, Brayden's class had a Mardi Gras party and parade. They spent the whole week learning about Mardi Gras and making a float for their parade. So on the day of his parade, I went over to the school to watch. All the kids in his class put on masks, had noise makers, and had beads and gold candy coins to throw to other kids when their parade came through their class. 

Here was their float. Each kid in his class got to work on a section of it and decorate it however they wanted. They had music playing and all the kids lined up behind it and danced through the halls making LOTS of noise with their noisemakers. They had a blast!

Brayden really loved being able to dance around and be loud and obnoxious through the halls.

His whole class! They all had fun doing the parade.

Brayden had fun learning about Mardi Gras. I must admit, he knew more then I did about it. It was a fun unit to learn about. Gotta love teachers that help their kids learn things in such fun ways!

Blue & Gold Fiesta!

A few weeks ago was Brayden's Blue and Gold banquet once again. The theme this year was "Mexican Fiesta with a Positive Attitude." He really wanted to make his cake look like a taco for the "fiesta", but I thought that would be a bit too much work, and not really sure if it would turn out so well. So we compromised on a cake to look like a tostada. And thanks to Google, I found some ideas to make his cake possible.

First thing we did was make a yellow cake and put some chocolate sprinkles in the batter so it would look more "corn tortilla" like.  We used colored frosting for the refried beans, sour cream, and guacamole. The "meat" was Cocoa Krispies. The "Cheese" were orange and yellow Starbursts that we rolled flat and cut into "shreds" of cheese.

We cut up licorice for "tomatoes" and green Fruit Roll ups made the "lettuce". 

Brayden was really happy with the final product. 

He still loves everything he gets to do for Cub Scouts. He has so much fun with it!

Landon Shenanigans

Our sweet little Landon really keeps life entertaining and busy around our house. He's always into something. 

One day I found him playing with Brayden's Bucket of Army Men on the floor. 

He was very intent on setting them up, going "vroom vroom" with the tanks, and knocking things over.

 He loved setting up this fence.....

 And then kicking it over.... again and again. It kept him entertained for quite a while.

 He also entertained himself one day by emptying out one of the toy boxes and sitting in it. 

Apparently that is also highly entertaining.

 The funny thing is he also likes to clean up the toys as long as he can sing the "Clean Up" song from Nursery as we pick up the toys.

Just today as I was busy helping his brothers with their homework, he came downstairs like this....

He had taken off his clothes and put his whole body into ONE leg of Conner's pj pants. It made for quite the funny looking dress. Oh and you can't forget the Oreo's smeared around his face that he had also snuck while I wasn't paying attention.

Oh the joys of a 2 year old little boy. They are always up to something. He has a way of making us laugh and pull out our hair all in the same day. He has so much energy and is WAY too smart for his own good. He gives us loves, hugs, and kisses all day long. I just love this little boy!