Staff photo/Stephen Jones From left, Kathryn Jordan, 6, Todd Jordan, 40, Timothy Jordan, 9, and Patrick, 11 months, illustrate their love of the outdoors and hunting in this family portrait. Not pictured is Todd Jordan's wife, Shannon, 37. Lici Beveridge

Whether you hunt, fish or camp with your children or get involved in their sports or school activities, spending quality time together as a family is what counts most.

As a child, my grandfather took me to many cultural events - the theater, the symphony, the ballet and art exhibits - teaching me about the many experiences to be enjoyed in a big city.

My mother took me to the beach, the park and the zoo, where my siblings and I feasted on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and Granny Smith apples.

I remember my mother waving each time I passed her as I rode the carousel in the park. How many times did I go around, 10, 20, 30? It didn't matter. Her smiling face always was there. She never got tired of seeing me enjoy myself.

Now my children get to spend time with their grandfather, fishing at his pond, feeding ducks or watching snakes glide lazily by. They take long walks on the levees at his farm in Arkansas, where my father spends much of his time sitting outside, watching the day go by.

My children get excited at each visit because they get to do things with their grandfather that they normally wouldn't do at home - catch frogs and tadpoles, run through the wet fields and lose their shoes in the thick mud.

Is it the joy of running free and wild at the family farm or is it as simple as spending time with their grandfather that makes them look forward to these visits?

My guess is both. My children will cherish these moments forever, and hopefully they will share these stories with their children while finding precious moments to spend time with families of their own.

As you read the cover story about families who hunt together, think about the times in your childhood that were special to you.

Was it the family camping trip at the Grand Canyon? Was it the memory of squeezing lemons in the kitchen with your grandmother so she could make her special lemonade?

No matter what you choose to do with your family, remember that it is the time you spend with them that matters.

As Todd Jordan of Petal put it, "It's about spending quality time with my children. And it's an opportunity to teach them how to respect God's creation."

Read the full story on pages 4-5.