You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them. ~ Desmond Tutu

This past week my mom (aka Mimi) took a few days of vacation, so Sophie and I took this opportunity to go back to Newton and visit family and friends. While I'm sure everyone was thrilled to see me, oh heck, who am I kidding... Sophie was the main attraction all day, every day :) I was basically a chauffeur! But who can blame them for finding her WAY more exciting than me? She is just too cute for words and that smile could melt a heart of stone and brighten anyone's day :) (Of course, I could be slightly biased!)

Sophie is a little too young to understand how blessed she is, but she is certainly one lucky girl to be so loved. I know a lot of people who never had the joy of knowing their grandparents and Sophie has soooo many ~

• Grandparents: Mimi, Pop-Pop, Grandma, Papa John, Nana, Pawpaw
• Great-Grandparents: Mimi and Papa Canty, Mema, Grandma and Grandpa Henninger
• Great-Great Grandparents: Mawmaw Richardson

Told you she had a lot!

Grandmothers are just antique little girls. ~ Author Unknown

Here are a few pictures of Sophie and Mawmaw (Great-Great Grandmother). Mawmaw Richardson will turn 100, yes ONE HUNDRED years old, next month. To me, these pictures are absolutely priceless! I cannot even begin to explain the feelings that came over me while I watched these two. Joy, pure and unexplainable joy...what a treasure...

Grandchildren are the dots that connect the lines from generation to generation. ~ Lois Wyse

Sophie with Mimi and Papa Canty. Papa has a myriad of health issues but the Lord blessed Sophie and I with a couple of really good days with him! It always brings me a bit of peace when I get just a little glimpse of who my Papa was before all of his health issues took such a toll. And, for some reason, Sophie finds him HILARIOUS! I wish I would have had the video camera with me right then because he had her cracking up :)

Nobody's family can hang out the sign, "Nothing the matter here." ~ Chinese proverb

The crazy side of the family :) Sophie's Aunt Amy, cousins Kylie and Ashton, and my now disowned brother-in-law. I'm sorry ~

Do you see what my brother-in-law DARED to wear in my presence? Um, that just cost you a future visit with your niece! We do not, I repeat, DO NOT, condone that hat and hence, the quote above is quite applicable :)

What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life - to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories. ~ George Eliot

And that about sums up our visit! I love my family and cherish each of you (even if you (Kelton) did get dropped on your head as a child and believe that burnt orange is an attractive color)!