Hunting slugs and ferocious llamas...

We had some special guests last week.  Chris' grandparents drove to Utah from Seattle for a visit.  No small feat, considering Grandpa Ross is 84 years old and Grandma is 83.  Chris hasn't seen his grandparents in over 20 years, the boys and I had never met them.  They arrived on Monday and left on Friday.  I suppose you could call it a reunion of sorts - one that was long overdue - a faultless situation.  We talked, laughed, then talked and laughed some more.

Too many things discussed, feelings felt to transfer to a blog - because it would be much too long, and much too intimate.  However, some tidbits in no particular order:

1.  It's clear there's a strong gene-pool of intelligence, and a source of the boys' love of science - Grandpa Ross.  (Grandma, you're smart too.)

2.  Chris and his grandmother used to hunt slugs at night when he visited their place as a young boy.  Yuck.

3.  Our two older boys taught Grandpa Ross how to play Wii.  Cow racing's never seen a tougher competitor.

4.  Grandma Ross is very petite and pretty.  She and Grandpa were highschool sweethearts - I'd like to see a picture of the two of them as a young couple.  Neat when people have been together that long.

5.  Grandpa Ross would love to own a llama.  He says they're very intelligent creatures, fiercely loyal to their owners, and can actually be "ferocious" - might go berserk with their hooves, doing great damage.  (I'm gonna Google that.)

6.  The llama discussion began because while on a drive in our little town, we noticed someone had a camel in the mix with their horses.  We looked at the camel a looooooong time.  The camel sighting jump-started the llama discussion.

7.  We drove to Sundance for a look-see and a picnic.  The two older boys and I got car sick.  Vomit bags were out, but not used.  Grandpa confessed he felt a bit of vertigo during the drive there.  I say Chris took the windy roads too fast - Grandpa says he drove just fine.  WhatEVER.

8.  Mary has two new fans.  "Mary's so pretty," said both Grandma and Grandpa.  I still think Mary needs to wear some underwear or pants or something.

9.  Grandpa recommended a couple of books which I plan on reading.  "Angle of Repose" by Wallace Stegner, and "The Age of American Unreason" by Susan Jacoby.  I'll let you know...

This was an important visit for all of us, but especially for Chris and his grandparents.  I'm glad it actually happened, versus remaining a good intention.  The word "cathartic" lends more drama than is necessary to describe the past week, but I believe Chris was able to eat some good ol' fashioned "comfort food" in the form of conversation and time with two people he loves very much.  AND we're ALL still smiling about those "ferocious" llamas, and visions of cow racing...