Despite the fact that the unheated swimming pool was icy, Kaiya and Mylee took a dip with their cousins Kenzie and Carter.

It’s 5 o’clock in the morning, and we just gave our final sleepy kisses to our family as they head back to Denver.

Let me be clear. We were the sleepy ones. The grandkids were like long haul truck drivers on No Doze. Spark plugs. I was young once too.

Court and Alyx were a little more subdued. They have a long drive ahead of them.

They told us not to bother getting up to say goodbye. We gave them rudimentary kisses before bedtime last night, me knowing full well that  we would get up to see them off. I couldn’t not, you know.

It reminded me so much of my brother’s visits to Colorado many years ago when his kids were young. Now his kids have kids. Many kids, in fact. He would tell me not to get up because they would leave really early, like 4 o’clock. Sometimes I would, just to give them hugs, but sometimes I would lie in bed waiting to hear the front door close for the last time. Then I would cry.

I didn’t cry today, though I enjoyed beyond description having the three grands under foot, answering their constant questions, and watching them eagerly play with the new toys I had gotten for them. But the world is so different than it used to be, thanks to cell phones and all sorts of social media. We can be in constant touch, even being able to talk face-to-face, via Face Time.

So, off they went, armed with clothes which had been carefully packed a mere four days ago now stuffed into garbage bags ready to be washed. Their cooler was filled with pop, juice boxes, caffeinated cold beverages, and salami sandwiches I made for them last night.

Now Bill and I sit in the empty quietness of our little house and make our plans to get things back to normal and prepare for Jen’s arrival later this week for her granddaughter’s first birthday.

Here are a few photos of the visit….

When you are from Colorado and are visiting Arizona, you are prepared for all kinds of weather….

Cole isn’t sure what to think about Nana and Papa’s artificial grass.

Maggie and Lilly visit with Alyx and Cole while Kaiya supervises.

Austin joins his cousins for donuts.

Mylee and Kaiya enjoy their sno cones during our visit to the Phoenix Zoo.

Cole likes to play with toys.