The Best

Who is this happy guy? Poppie! or Poppy! We spell it both ways. Why not?

My dad, or the grandchildren's "Poppy" came to visit. He was our first visitor here in the Netherlands. We loved having him here.

He played with us.

Swung us around until our giggles wouldn't come out anymore.

Endured our constant picture taking.

Even wore the same shoe as the kids...at the same time!

Helped us enjoy beautiful nature. And kept us from face-planting in it many times.

Was in charge of the backseat snuggling on our way to dreary Germany.

See? Dreary. (For the record, I'm not sure what gang my 4 year old son belongs to, but he sure is throwing those signs like a proud member! PRE-K 2 GANG...he better be careful throwing that sign around, the kindergartners might get frisky...although I guess not with Poppy around!)

He took on the Autobahn (AND Rotterdam chauffeuring me around - EVERYWHERE! For which I am extremely grateful!)

Lifted with his knees (A LOT!) so we could get the BEST views...

And even took a bite of the nastiest pretzels on earth!

He showed us how to make the all-you-can-eat grill place worth our money (I think this is an awesome shot of Angelina! Again...I have no idea what is happening here)

Literally ran after the kids when they were bike riding.

Most importantly, was here to give Madelyn the Gift of the Holy Ghost at her Baptism (that is a separate post!)

While my dad was here, he cooked, he cleaned, he helped organize the Baptism, he shared a room with Parker, he adored his grandkids, he played Plants vs. Zombies, he helped convince a 4 year old with a fully bitten through tongue to go back to class, he took me to the temple, he was constantly kind and thoughtful, he posed for pictures and turned his head away a lot, he helped me get new maternity clothes since I had outgrown the first round, he was basically the worlds greatest dad and grandfather! The list - well, it really could go on forever of all the wonderful things he did while he was here with us. It was too short. We are sure are grateful that he made the trip over the great divide (coincidentally that is a BlueBell ice cream flavor The Great Divide...if we were in Texas he would have some for us!). I wish everyone in the world had a dad as wonderful as mine! There would be no evil or contention or pain or suffering...

We love him more than we could ever express!