Dear Guillianna and Elijah –
Every photo has a story and oh my goodness do we have a lot of photos … if we can tell you about the photos it will help you to remember things. The story or time gone by and so much love … the drawing made in this list was made by Guillianna it was a self portrait of Gugu and “mynana” the two words you used to say together so often they became one ! Always playing with toys when you were small and I would be making dinner for the family , but stopping everything to tell everyone, “I have to go see mynana” , then returning to play after helping me in the kitchen for a second. I am pretty sure when your love for helping in the kitchen sparked ,
This was our THIRD visit with Guillianna, we had flown in the day she was born, and mommy brought her to the Mitten when she was just days old for some extra help that moms sometimes need after a baby is born – she then for you to see dad, and to pack up for you to come to the Mitten for a year , This photo came when they had already left for the Land of Sand and this website began. It was just before Valentine’s Day ! The love letters we wrote are still on this site, We tried so hard to keep your mom and dad connected during a time that there was no FaceTime no real way to communicate – we even installed a camera so they could see you sleeping on Skype or some sort of internet based link
Nana and Poppy travel to meet Elijah 
This photo is of Poppy holding you when you came home from the hospital . Dad was in Afghanistan and mom had been in the hospital trying to wait as long as she could to meet you since you were so tiny . We had Guillianna with us in the Mitten while mommy was on strict bed rest. You were in a hurry to meet everyone and came super early. Mom was able to stay with you and help you to get big enough and ready to come home. Once she got you there we came and you got to meet your sister and your Nana and Poppy ! From this moment you worked so hard to grow and mommy was able to stay in the stares and be with you for a while. You then visited the Mitten and went between the army base and camp just like your sister and eventually learned to talk and walk in the Mitten ! Can still remember how you loved repeating words and how you held ont to the back of Guillianna and walked while she peddled through the house on her tricycle taking you from first steps to a run ! So many fun memories !
We have always been such a huge part of your lives, and we love you both to the moon and back ,
forever and for always,
XOXOXOXOXOXO
❤️Nana and Poppy❤️?