The Red Swing

Twelve years ago, on the May long weekend. 

we were sitting in the back yard, watching Tehya 

while mom and dad were out on a date.

We started talking about how fun it would be to have a swing for her 

and, in a moment, history was made 

by a man who does not ordinarily go shopping on a whim.

By the time mom and dad came back, she was happily swinging in the shade.

Paeton was only 12 weeks old when he left for Borneo with his sister . . .

and a second red swing tucked into the crate (on Papa's insistence).

Natalie, our first American grand, 

got her share of swings when she visited.

It was hard to choose between a smile photo or this serious one.

Makenna's flight through space has always brought smiles.

She's her daddy's girl!

Landon . . . almost twin cousin to Makenna . . . 

at that time showed up with his sister when his cousins did

and he smiled best sitting still.

Lacey usually gave us just the slightest grin . . .
but so content.

Koen sat enamored . . .

watching siblings and cousins flitting about the yard.

Teddy looked at us dreamily or
played the "I'm watching an ant now" game.

It was seeing Everly in there for the first time, just recently,

that had me reminiscing  . . .

about all the times Papa has gone out to play with them while in that swing.

He always gets the best giggles from them with his games.

I love when they enjoy grapes from the garden lined up on that tray and 

stare up with that amazed look that  the leaves in the "tee" are dancing with the sway

. . . heaven in their eyes.

There is just one more left to come for her first swing.

Hopefully soon.