GRAND Magazine - Winter 2024 - 6

humor
We invite journaling
during their trip.
Emma wanted to experience
the mountains
and a theme park. The
Smokey Mountains
were a great experience
for all of us. We saw a
bear a few feet ahead of
us on one of the paths.
" I remember when
I was in 8th grade my
grandparents took me
to the Smoky Mountains
in Tennessee. It was a
week-long visit, so I was
scared to leave my parents
behind for that long. On
the trip one day, we went
to Dolly Wood theme park
in Tennessee. I was nervous
to go onto some of the rides
but being with my grandma
and grandpa made it easier
for me. In my mind I was thinking, " If my grandma
and grandpa can do it then so can I. " After the rides I
liked them so much I wanted to go on them once or
more, like three more times. Overall, I had a great time
with my grandparents and had a beautiful time in the
Smoky Mountains. " Emma Heinisch, at 15
Andrew wanted to pan for gold for his trip, so we
planned a trip to Yellowstone. His suitcase was filled
with shovels, pans, and a few clothes. We spent a lot
of time in the car exploring many remote areas as he
6 GRAND WINTER 2023
searched for the perfect spots
to pan for gold. Here is his brief
summary of some of the odd
events that had us laughing as
we traveled. These were hysterical
to us- but to really appreciate
this, you had to be there!
" When I was on my 8th
grade
trip there were many funny
things that happened. One
time when we were driving up
to the top of the mountain,
Grandma kept on screaming
because she was too close to
the edge. Another time, we
were all so tired that when
asked to put her sunglasses in
her pink case, Grandpa put
them in the cooler. Grandpa
was giving us directions, and
we had no cell service, so I
tried to find the map. I asked
where the map was, and
Grandpa replied that it was in the trunk. Those
are some of the best memories of the Yellowstone trip. "
Andrew, at 14
Mimi had a history teacher who sparked
her interest in the city of Boston and the
events that occurred in the United States'
early years. Our trip to Boston was a learning
experience for us, too. Her brother,
Steve, was also inspired by that excellent
history teacher to explore Gettysburg and
Washington DC. Cloe wanted a place that
included art museums, the beach, and animals and
our trip to San Diego was perfect. Christine set her
sights on the Rocky Mountains, and we enjoyed her
white-water rafting and horseback riding plans. A
water park and exploring nature were on Katie's list,
and we ended up having a great time in Branson
MO. Tyler overcame his fear of heights at the Grand
Canyon by hiking the Angel Trail.
The parents appreciated these trips, too!
" Don and Mary Kay started a tradition of taking
each grandchild on a special vacation to celebrate that
grandchild's 8th grade graduation. Each grandchild was
able to select the place to travel (within the continental
US). This was such a great opportunity to spend time
with their grandparents while exploring new areas. The
memories made on these trips are priceless! We are
all so very thankful for the special memories created
during the kid's 8th-grade graduation trips! " Jennifer,
daughter-in-law
These adventures are the perfect opportunity to
get to know each grandchild. Of course, taking tons
of pictures for a memory book afterward keeps the
memories alive long after the experience is over. Each
child has had such a unique experience including an
energy and bonding that creates a lifelong legacy of
laughter.
This article is adapted
from Mary Kay's Book,
Legacy of Laughter:
A Grandparent Guide
and Playbook written
with her 12 grandchildren.
Free grandparent
resources are on her
website

https://www.facebook.com/GRANDmagazine https://www.amazon.com/Legacy-Laughter-Mary-Kay-Morrison/dp/1736791303?&linkCode=ll1&tag=grandmagazi0d-20&linkId=3445e35b6163c31d2531fe665e4b123e&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl https://www.amazon.com/Legacy-Laughter-Mary-Kay-Morrison/dp/1736791303?&linkCode=ll1&tag=grandmagazi0d-20&linkId=3445e35b6163c31d2531fe665e4b123e&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl https://www.questforhumor.com/resources/

GRAND Magazine - Winter 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of GRAND Magazine - Winter 2024