The Grands...And the Greats are big Izzy fans

A span of 1800 miles separates us from our loved ones but somehow we find ways to see each other and for our little girl to know family. For that I am grateful. Really, it has been amazing to see how much all of her Grandparents have traveled to come see her. Our little girl is so very loved. I am truly amazed that she saw all 7 of her Grandparents ( & Great Grandparents) in 2010. Izzy also Skype chats weekly with all 4 of her Grandparents, which seems to help her recognize them on their visits every few months and Izzy enjoys them all from the minute she sees them! ...She saw many other aunt's/uncles/cousins, but this post is just about the special visits from her grandparents.

Grammy Voyles came to visit in Memphis and Nashville many times last year. Izzy got to visit her in Arkansas once too. Grammy spent lots of time singing to, reading with and playing with Izzy. She cooks or bakes with Izzy nearly every visit as well. Izzy is a huge fan of her cheesestick bread, fried okra and blueberry pancakes. Singing and laughing are Izzy's 2 favorite things to do with Grammy. She also goes outside walking with her every chance she gets. Grammy and Grandpa came to SVCC Baby Dedication Day which was special and they gave Izzy a Bible which she enjoys. We all went to Nashville for Marks graduation and everyone was excited to see Izzy walking all over the place, and climbing stairs too. I think Izzy made Grammy nervous about the stairs though. Grammy and Grandpa watched Izzy for the first time Mommy and Daddy went away overnight at 1 year old. They were there to celebrate Izzy's first birthday and eat cupcakes. Grammy watched Izzy while Mommy and Daddy packed and moved to Nashville. Grammy got to come lots of times in the fall and over all the holidays which Izzy enjoyed having so much extra attention.

Grandpa Voyles entertained and cracked Izzy up plenty of times this year. He spends lots of time reading with, drawing/coloring with, and making noises for Izzy. He lets her crawl around him and she learned how to stand on her head with Grandpa watching or assisting. She bounced with Grandpa on the air mattress every time they stayed at the house. She enjoyed listening to Grandpa play the guitar some and singing with Grammy as well. Izzy enjoyed picnics and ice cream with Grandpa Voyles. She seems to have gotten her sweet/snack tooth from him too because when he snacks, so does she!

Izzy got to spend her first Christmas in Florida so it was a few months before she got to see them again (We were sad for that). She was just starting to crawl at Christmas and then when Mim came up in the Spring around Easter, she was surprised to see Izzy cruising all around the living room. Izzy enjoyed goodies and treats from Mim, including lots of pretty clothes. Izzy loved having her around to play with and be loved on. Izzy looks a lot like her Mim and smiles all the time when she is around. Mim and Papa came to see Daddy Graduate and Izzy enjoyed lots of time hugging on them. We spent a week trip to Florida to stay wtih Mim and Papa before her 1st Birthday, in which Izzy had nonstop fun. They had a party for her and Izzy was as thrilled as could be. Izzy took her first trip to the beach, which was as a bit rough. But Izzy enjoyed a nice long nap on Mim's lap. In the fall we had a mini vacation with Mim in Papa in Georgia. Izzy loved going to an petting zoo, apple orchard and pumpkin farm with them. She spent a lot of time hanging on Papa's arm but managed to get some time with Mim too. In November, they visited our new house in Nashville and while Papa redid the bathroom, Izzy was entertained by Mim reading and playing on the floor with her. Izzy was very sad to not see them for the holidays, but know we will get to see them again soon.

Papa entertained Izzy every chance he could. Izzy says his name all the time now and it's very clear she's saying Papa. In fact, she asks to see/speak to him daily via "puter" (computer, Skype).

Papa missed seeing Izzy until May when Daddy had his graduation. Papa entertained Izzy in the hall (because of tornado sirens and a busy baby) for a lot of that. Papa wanders around outside with Izzy a lot, showing her plants and animals and I'm pretty sure he lets he do whatever she wants. When he visits, he listens for Izzy to wake up an goes and gets her first thing. They play together non-stop when he is around. Izzy likes to roll on the floor and get tickled by Papa and listen to all his funny noises too. She loved watering all the plants when she visited him in Florida and "swimming" in the tin tub he always filled up for her. In the fall, he helped her pet all the animals at a petting zoo and carried her around showing her lots of animals on the farm. She enjoyed sitting on his shoulder for outings. Izzy helped him take the toilet apart so he could paint and imitated him as he worked. Papa showed Izzy you can slide down the front yard on a box and she was thrilled. She misses him as soon as he is gone.

Izzy has found her Papa to be very entertaining.

Izzy spends a lot of time outdoors when she's with her Papa. He taught her how to water the flowers and play in dirt. Yay.

BMa (Daddy's Grandma) was thrilled to be able to make Izzy her 1st birthday cake and it turned out so adorable. She enjoyed watching Izzy run all around at her birthday party and thought she was something else when she would hop in the tub to go swimming. She also rode in the car for the long trip to Nashville to see Izzy and enjoyed another weekend with her. Izzy loved having her visit and snuggled up with her on her own (a rare thing for busy Izzy).Izzy got a big kick out of the monkey puppet she got her and playing around the house with her.

Poppy (Robert's grandpa) got to love on Izzy in Florida at her 1st Birthday party as well. She is their only great grandkid and he seemed to enjoy seeing a little family member running around.

Walking with Poppy at the porch. I enjoyed watching him smile as he watched over her. Really wish we were able to go see them more.

Checking out Poppy, she gave him quite the staredown at first!

Nana Lock (Angela's Grandmother) came from Canada at Christmas and entertained Izzy endlessly on a trip to Alabama. Izzy directed her on both movies and snacks and Nana had a bit of hard time keeping up with Izzy at first. They were on similar schedules though and seemed to understand each other just fine. Izzy got a big kick out of her songs and stories too. Nana has termed Izzy a missionary kid because she loves people so much and is very laid back, running around doing what she wants but listens when she is told to do something too.

(I didn't get my camera out, just my phone and Cheree's which makes me sad, but there are a few pictures to share)

Grandpa (Umpa -Angela's Grandpa) played with Izzy Christmas week too. He enjoyed watching her run around at Chik-fil-A playground and was watching her carefully so she didn't get hurt, a very sweet sight to see. He was also entertained with Izzy trying to walk in her Uncle's boots. He helped her anytime he saw she needed it and Izzy enjoyed sitting with him a time or two as well. I was especially glad to see Grandpa and for him to see Izzy as he is currently taking chemo treatments. He was doing amazing and it was really nice to have him there for the holidays.

Grandma Davis (Angela's Grandma) made several trips from AR to hang out with Izzy and the family throughout the year. Izzy enjoyed sitting on her lap until she got to be a year, then she was pretty big (and tough) for Grandma to hold. Izzy would still snuggle up with her though to watch one of her movies. Grandma came for Izzy's birthday party in Memphis and Izzy enjoyed her Noah's Ark with all the animals that came with it. Izzy gets a big kick out of her cane and her walker with wheels and is always trying to push it around. Izzy helped her with baking in the kitchen as well. Izzy gets Grandma smiling more than anyone with all her cute antics. 89 years between these two and yet they get along just fine. So sweet.

So there is a brief recap of Izzy's biggest fans and their visit last year. I cannot wait to see how Izzy continues to interact with them over the years and for them to watch her grow up.

Nothing else can compare, to the happiness I find,

in the comfort of my Grandparents-that's the warm and lasting kind.

A love that's based on caring thoughts and gentle trusting ways.

Moments shared... both good and bad... and words of love and praise.

And nothing else can quite compare to knowing as I do,

we share an understanding that will last a lifetime through.

People change and places change and times keep changing too.

But one thing always stays the same... the love I feel for you.

So put this in a special place and read it now and then.

It won't be long until we're in each others arms again.

-Annonymous