Happy 10th Birthday, Landon

These days, there's hardly a time goes by when I see you 

and don't marvel at how tall you are getting! 

Energetic, usually a ball in your hand or at your feet,

I think back to the day we got the call and flew to Phoenix

to welcome you, just weeks after Makenna was born here.

Such an exciting time!

Then came the first year of your life when you flew up to Canada

several times, because there were just way too many reasons to.

I remember visiting you when you were two,

growing into the character that you are ...

smiling blue eyes, teasing us
and having us in stitches

as you held your casted and good arm behind you

asking us to guess "which one is holding something?"
Your one-leg-up dance, had me as well!

You moved to Canada
and we enjoyed daily life here, such as washing Papa's car
 raking leaves and weekly play dates.

Your tender heart is something that has warmed my heart.

I loved watching your fascination with cars.
You could examine the workings of wheels
and moving parts for a long time.

You started school and what I noticed
in your discussions with your sister in the back seat,
is how you cared about the feelings of anyone who may be different.

One of my favorite memories is meeting
as a family in Hawaii,
flying in from two sides of the Pacific,
and the shiny eyes ... between you, our twin grands ...



In the kitchen, your gangly legs hang off the counter or not,
as you've learned to flip crepes just right.

And how can I not think of the balls
 that have been kicked or thrown around our yard,
 knowing that you could always count on Papa to join you
while others sat at the table still.

Landon,
these thoughts just skim the surface
of the privilege of sharing life with you -
a grandson whom we are so proud of!
We wish you a very happy birthday
and pray you share the love of God
through the gifts he has given you.

Love,
Papa and Mimi