The word "workshop" this time of year brings to mind a jolly old man in a bright red coat surrounded by toy making elves.
Not for me...the word "workshop" to me brings to mind "Papa." The picture in my head is a low ceiling, lots of tools, hanging air planes, and memories that have accumulated over 20 years.
Not for me...the word "workshop" to me brings to mind "Papa." The picture in my head is a low ceiling, lots of tools, hanging air planes, and memories that have accumulated over 20 years.
Building things in my grandpa's workshop was always something I looked forward to. My brothers and I spent countless hours down in Papa's workshop creating airplanes, rubber band guns, and whatever crazy ideas we came up with. It was wonderful.
My brothers and I are no longer children. Ages 25, 22, and a double dose of 20. We are all either in college or have graduated. One is married. We have to consider ourselves grown ups now.
However, no matter how old I get, I still love going to my Papa's workshop. Last year, my grandparents decided to invite the grandkids who are in town over for an ornament-making-day....it was a BLAST. So, they decided to host another workshop day for us grand-kiddos.
While we are considered grown-ups, we have munchkin cousins who range from age 4-17. Passing on the love for Papa's workshop to them is a great joy..and I love being apart of it.
My grandpa is brilliant. He does wonders with wood and never ceases to amaze me..
This year, he prepped 10 wooden cardinals for us all to put together and paint..
They were enjoyed by all.
This year, he prepped 10 wooden cardinals for us all to put together and paint..
They were enjoyed by all.
One of my favorite parts of the day was when my 11 and 12 year old cousin begged to use my camera. They are budding photographers and love the times I let them explore through the lens. I especially love looking back at the images and memories they captured and seeing their perspective on life. The next set of photos show their points of view.
One of them loves to make portraits.. Maybe he'll be the next budding Humans of *insert city*
The man..the myth..the legend...our Papa.
These budding photographers also captured some of my favorite parts of Mema & Papa's home at Christmas.
I spent so many days and evenings at this table.. coloring with markers.. looking at this Christmas candle. It warms my hear that these kiddos do the same.
This next one is of the back of a beautiful horse-and-carriage my grandpa made for my grandma. While I would have taken a close up of the details and exquisiteness of the horse in the front, the kids opted for a close up of the candy that can always be found in it. Perspective.
After much patience, a re-posesed camera, and lots of glitter spray, everyone was pretty much finished with their cardinal ornaments.
Some took a little longer and got some special time alone with Papa.
Let the pizza-party and Christmas-movie-snuggles begin.
She loves to dance and make her big cousins smell her "stinky" feet. And they all giggle.
Mema & Papa... thanks for helping us all create memories that we will cherish every single year of our lives.. There is nothing better than hanging a sparkly snowflake or glittery cardinal on a Christmas tree and knowing that 9 other people dear to our hearts are doing the same thing...all remembering the love and giggles from Papa's workshop.