Thank you, son

A few days ago I was reading my daughter in laws blog...she was talking about her oldest daughters experience of wanting to put the baby to bed and what a good job she did doing it... I was impressed with my grand- daughter and how fast she is growing up at 8 years old....but it brought to mind a memory of my son.

I didn't know my father or his family until I was 32 years old. That year we decided to attend a family reunion in Carson City Nevada to meet him and the realitives on that side of my family. So we loaded our five children aboard an eight passenger Chevy Beauville van with vinyl seating and no air conditioning and set off for Nevada on our big vacation. I don't think we were out of the drive way before shannon said..."Are we there yet?" But on with the story

Us at Hoover Dam

Our van many memories

Our family around the same time

This is one of the first pics taken with me and my dad after he came to visit us later that summer

It was great seeing this family for the first time, although at the last minute my dad couldn't make it, there were many others there. One afternoon I was busy in amidst these many realitives talking genealogy and enjoying their company when" it 'occured.

Chelsea was a toddler and messed her pants....Without even a blink Craig came and got her, took her out , changed her bottom and then brought her back and put her down. Craig was almost sixteen at the time. He didn't say anything, wasn't asked to do it,,,just did it....

This may have been taken the same day "it" occured ( What a cutie!)

WELLLLLLLL..... I had two great aunts there who were in their eighties and they just stood there with their mouths open....they just couldn't believe what their eyes had seen!!!! A sixteen year old boy picked up a baby changed her bottom.........AND WASN"T EVEN ASKED TO DO IT!!!!We were there for another couple of days with lots of activities going on but that was all these two elderly aunts could talk about and I would venture some day in the here after it will be all they say when they see Craig again.


Aunt Fay

Aunt Muriel

Craig was almost six when his first sister was born....and from then till he was fourteen there were babies in our house. Although he received great enjoyment from teasing them , for the most part he was a GREAT care giver...he loved them and yes changing a diaper probably came second nature to him when chelsea was born.....More than my aunts reaction mine was equally astounding to them.... I didn't think it was unusual....because he always did it....not that he changed ALL the diapers....but when he saw a need in the care of his sisters he usually just did it......and I guess I kinda took it for granted.....no I DID take it for granted.

So I guess this blog is really a shout out to my son to thank him for all he did to help when the girls were growing up and although I didn't always say it .... i did appreciate all his help...He was a very kind loving brother and has grown into a wondeful husband and father... and we love you dearly