My Grandpa Jack (1924-2011)

I don't want to be thought of as dramatic for posting this blog -- this is what is on my heart and mind today. My mother called and asked me to find some pictures of my grandpa that we could use for a slide show/video at his funeral. I was going through the pictures and remembering the reasons behind my grandpa's expressions in some of them and thought I would share them with every one.  We found out he passed away early this morning and he will be missed, but remembered with smiles.  He was a fun, cool, amazing man and I am so glad I was able to spend so much time with him growing up.  We would eat lunch with my grandparents every Sunday -- I continued to eat with them each Sunday until Jacob and I got married and moved to the City.  It's just what you did on Sunday -- you had lunch with Grandma and Grandpa Jack. We went camping with them, and they were a big part of our lives.  Most family vacations included my grandparents.

I remember when we were little and my dad, grandpa, and uncles would go deer hunting and be gone for a few days.  So, my mom, my brother, my aunts, my cousins, and me would all go stay at grandma's.  It was the best time.  It was fun being their with my cousins, my aunt would drive us to school and pick us up. We would get to sleep in sleeping bags with our cousins and it was such a fun time!  Then, one day, the men would all come back and we were all happy they didn't kill "Bambi."  LOL My grandpa would smile at me and say, "I could have got one but I didn't just for you." Then, he'd laugh, because, of course he'd get one if he could.  I didn't know the difference, though.

These pictures make me smile and I wanted to share them.

Alex's first Christmas -- sitting with his Great Grandpa Jack.

This is one of my favorite pictures!  Me as a little girl with my Grandpa Jack.

The boys with their great grandparents.  I can't remember exactly when this was taken, but it was at least a couple of years ago.

This is another one of my favorite pictures of my grandpa.  We all were told to come outside to take pictures.  People were all talking at the same time and there were several people with cameras and I remember my grandpa started laughing and said, "I feel like a celebrity with all these cameras."  He turned and looked at me, trying not to laugh, and I took this picture.  It was such a funny moment.

My grandparents wtih my boys and my brother's son -- 4th of July.

Grandpa Jack getting a hug from Alex

Alex and his great grandpa Christmas Eve 2009.  Alex thought it was cool that they were both wearing red shirts.

Logan telling his Great Grandpa Jack that he loves him -- this moment was a very sweet one and is remembered by a lot of our family.  We all thought it was such a special moment!

Logan with his Great Grandpa Jack on the 4th of July, 2009.  We were having water gun fights and my grandpa was sitting in his chair watching us and laughing at us.

Logan showing his Great Grandpa Jack how to play golf (the Logan way! LOL)

Logan getting a hug from Great Grandpa Jack.

Logan and my grandpa hugging again.  They kind of liked each other -- can you tell?  Ha.

Coloring with Great Grandpa Jack -- Thanksgiving 2010

 This is the last picture I have of my grandpa.  It was taken on Christmas Eve 2010.  He was sitting by the fire and my brother went and sat near him and they were talking.  I remember thinking, "I need to take a picture of this!"  I'm so glad I did!

My grandparents on (or around -- ha) Easter 2010.  Another one of my favorites!

He was one of my favorite people and man, did he have stories (and he loved to tell them!)  He led a pretty interesting life and although we will miss him -- we have some wonderful memories of him.