Grandpa Monte

When I was young, I spent a lot of time with my grandparents. They would take me to daycare or Kindergarten, take me shopping (where my grandma and I would shop and my grandpa would "people watch" on a bench), and play school with me among many other things. Like I said, I spent a good amount of time with them.
While on vacation this week at Holiday Island, my grandpa Monte passed away. He hadn't been doing too well for a while, not that that makes it any easier for my grandma or the rest of my family.
I went to my grandma's today and talked about all the memories I had of Grandpa. It made her smile. She had forgotten a few of them.
Some random memories:

Grandpa would take me to the post office with him to get the mail quite often. For some reason, I loved it! When I got older and didn't spend so much time there, he took his dog with him. :)

Grandpa made the best milkshakes. I think I had one every day I was at their house. I am not sure why they were the best, but no one made them like he did. I remember sitting with him at the kitchen counter and eating our chocolate milkshakes. Yum.

We made our own milkshakes tonight in honor of Grandpa. Erick even went to Braum's for the vanilla ice cream!

Hoping Grandpa Monte is enjoying the best milkshakes in Heaven! :)

I liked when Grandpa Monte called me "Sweet 'ums".

Grandpa would get the big round horse tank out of storage, put it in the backyard and fill it with water so I could swim in it. I'm sure my cousins remember this also. It was FREEZING cold but we had lots of fun!

Grandma Jean and Grandpa Monte

Grandpa Monte would take me to Nuway a lot. We had chicken sandwiches and root beer.

Grandpa played school with me. I, of course, was the teacher and he was my student. He was an ornery one. I remember one day, specifically, that I was trying to get him to do his handwriting and he wouldn't do it like I asked. I told him that I was going to get the principal (my grandma) and would be right back. I went upstairs, told my grandma that my student wasn't behaving and we both walked downstairs to talk to him. Well, guess what? My student wasn't in the "classroom" anymore. He was hiding! Can you believe it? After calling for him and looking for him for a while, the "principal" and I found him in the storage room. He just giggled and giggled. Looking back on that, maybe he was preparing me for some of the kiddos in my real kindergarten and first grade classes! :)

When I was in high school or college and driving my own vehicle, I would go to my grandparents and visit by myself. Many times, Grandpa would take the keys to my car (or truck) and fill it up with gas. Sometimes I didn't even know that he did it until I got in my car to leave. Just something he liked to do to help me out. It was pretty awesome.

 We'll miss you, Grandpa! I love you so much!

Click here to read Grandpa Monte's obituary.