Grandma & Grandpa Hutchinson

Our trip to Utah was our opportunity to see Grandma & Grandpa Hutchinson and all our cousins there. Of course it was the absolute highlight and culmination of our vacation. The kids' "New Grandma & Grandpa," as they have nicknamed them, were equally excited for the reunion and to spend almost 2 weeks together. They gave us their entire basement to stay in, a whole apartment really, complete with a kitchen. It was very pleasant. The first night, the boys wanted to sleep in the spare bedroom in the basement with the queen size bed. They were so excited to sleep in it together, but of course it was difficu

lt for them to fall asleep. Then, when one woke up to go to the bathroom, the bed moved just enough for the other to wake up. We quickly found that this arrangement wasn't going to work out as well as we had thought! So the rest of the trip, the boys slept in the kids bedroom in separate beds! Then Kaylee took the queen size bed all for herself!! Cooper really took to Grandpa this time around. He was less and less shy, and more and more playful with Grandpa. He would start to hit Grandpa, or punch him in play. At first, Grandpa would tell him not to hit or punch. But then Grandpa figured out that this was Cooper's way of asking Grandpa for a wrestling match, and finally, Grandpa gave in. They wrestled and wrestled and Cooper was loving every single minute!!

Kaylee loved Grandma. And Grandma was in love with her times a million! Of course Kaylee got her fill of all of Grandma's favorite songs, "Round & Around" looking up at the fan. Also, "Wash the ladies' dishes," another of Grandma's classics. She didn't seem to have any fear or anxiety with Grandma or Grandpa, which was great. She just seemed to feel right at home.

Jaxton remembers his Grandparents in Utah so very well. He remembers our last trip really well too. So he was that much more excited, knowing and remembering where we were going for vacation. Grandma has a special thing with Jaxton. He loves her to "tickle" his skin. But this kind of "tickling" is not silly fun wrestling type, but rather a gentle soft touch to the skin with her fingertips. It relaxes him. He loves her to tickle his tummy, his hands, arms, and even his ears. One time last year I remember Grandma was tickling his ears at church and he fell asleep. If he is ever feeling overwhelmed, tired, worn out, sad, or frustrated, Grandma's touch can calm his spirit. It is very sweet. He will ask me to tickle his tummy sometimes, but Grandma has some kind of technique to it, so Jax will try to teach me to tickle his skin the way Grandma does. He loves her very much!